Batteries: voltages when in series, parallel, and combination?

AI Thread Summary
When batteries are connected in series, their voltages add up, resulting in a total of 9 volts for six 1.5 V batteries. In a parallel configuration, the voltage remains at 1.5 volts since each pathway operates independently. For the combination of three batteries in parallel with another three in series, the voltage across the entire setup would still be 1.5 volts for the parallel section, but the overall voltage would depend on how they are combined. The confusion arises from the lack of information about resistors, but it's important to remember that voltage is the potential difference, which remains the same in parallel circuits. Understanding these principles clarifies how battery configurations affect voltage output.
jle1092
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Question involving the voltage when batteries are connected in different ways?
What is the voltage across six 1.5 V batteries when they are connected a) in series b) in parallel, c) three in parallel with one another and this combination wired in series with the remaining three?

I'm not sure if there is an equation to use for these, but this is what I thought the answers should be:
a) 9. Since they are in series don't I just add all of the volts up?
b)1.5 Since each pathway is seperate?
c) This one I have no clue

I really need to understand how this works. What confuses me is there is no information about resistors so I don't really know how to solve this.
 
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Basically, voltages add up in series, but are the same when in parallel. The reason for this is that voltage is the potential difference. As the parallel circuit both have the same beginning and end potential for each of the different paths, the voltages i.e. potential differences are the same for those paths.
 

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