Current in Series: Why Does It Remain Same?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding why the current remains the same in a series combination of resistors and why voltage remains constant in parallel circuits. Participants explore these concepts through questions, clarifications, and examples, focusing on the theoretical and conceptual aspects of electrical circuits.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that in a series circuit, the same current flows through each resistor due to the nature of the circuit connections.
  • Others question the clarity of the initial question regarding the constancy of current, prompting further exploration of definitions and concepts.
  • It is suggested that voltage changes in series circuits while current remains constant, and vice versa in parallel circuits.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of understanding the nature of current and voltage, noting that current flows through components while voltage is developed across them.
  • Participants discuss the concept of voltage in parallel circuits, indicating that all components connected in parallel share the same voltage due to being connected to the same nodes.
  • One participant provides a more detailed explanation involving charge buildup and the implications of differing currents at junctions in series circuits.
  • There are references to external resources, such as textbooks and Wikipedia, for further clarification of these concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and clarity regarding the concepts of current and voltage in series and parallel circuits. While some points are clarified, there remains uncertainty and confusion among participants, indicating that the discussion is not fully resolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' definitions of voltage and current are described as vague, and there is an acknowledgment of the need for clearer foundational knowledge before delving into more complex topics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals seeking to understand basic electrical circuit concepts, particularly the behavior of current and voltage in series and parallel configurations.

Imtiaz Ahmad
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hey, sir i have a question why the current remain same in series combination of resistance?
 
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As you apply a voltage to the two resistors in series, electric current path is through the first and then the second resistor and then back to the voltage source. So effectively, according to Ohm's law: I = V/(R1 + R2) and the total current flowing in the circuit, is given by previous relation.So, it is the same for both of resistors.
 
Your question is not stated correctly. "remain same" compared to what?
 
sorry sir
 
thanks sir what about voltage in parallel?
 
Now, you can figure out this your own, using a similar logic to the first question: what is changing and what remains constant regarding each resistor?
 
in series voltage change but current constant
 
voltage
 
please sir clear my Confusion
 
  • #10
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
please sir clear my Confusion
That's VERY hard to do since your statements and questions are completely unclear. Draw a circuit diagram of a circuit that confuses you and let's talk about it.
 
  • #11
my question is
why voltage remain constant in parallel circuit?
 
  • #12
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
my question is
why voltage remain constant in parallel circuit?
What is your understanding of voltage?
 
  • #13
work done to bring charge
 
  • #14
or it is the energy that provide source to move charge
 
  • #15
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
or it is the energy that provide source to move charge
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
work done to bring charge
Those are vague definitions. How do you measure voltage experimentally?
 
  • #16
cnh1995 said:
Those are vague definitions. How do you measure voltage experimentally?
What I want to emphasize is the nature of current and voltage. Current flows "through" a component and voltage is developed "across" a component. Now can you answer your own question?
 
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  • #17
By connecting a voltmeter parallel with circuit
 
  • #18
cnh1995 said:
What I want to emphasize is the nature of current and voltage. Current flows "through" a component and voltage is developed "across" a component. Now can you answer your own question?
littlle bit confusion
 
  • #19
mean in parallel component are connected with same point and in series are different
 
  • #20
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
mean in parallel component are connected with same point and in series are different
so in series current is constant and in parallel voltage
 
  • #21
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
so in series current is constant and in parallel voltage
m right sir?
 
  • #22
[QUOTE="Imtiaz Ahmad,
mean in parallel component are connected with same point and in series are different
 
  • #23
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
[QUOTE="Imtiaz Ahmad,
mean in parallel component are connected with same point and in series are different
Right. Components in parallel are connected between same two points. Hence, voltage is same across parallel components. Refer a good book to cement your concepts and try solving a number of problems on circuits. These concepts will be more clear to you then.
 
  • #24
cnh1995 said:
Right. Components in parallel are connected between same two points. Hence, voltage is same across parallel components. Refer a good book to cement your concepts and try solving a number of problems on circuits. These concepts will be more clear to you then.
please tell.
 
  • #25
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
please tell.
And Thanks
 
  • #26
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
please tell.
Tell what?
 
  • #27
book
 
  • #28
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
book
There are many. Good physics books will work. I used Halliday-Resnik, H C Verma and Irodov.
 
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  • #29
cnh1995 said:
There are many. Good physics books will work. I used Halliday-Resnik, H C Verma and Irodov.
sir i have no research work but i want so what i do?
 
  • #30
Imtiaz Ahmad said:
hy, sir i have a question why the current remain same in series combination of resistance?

If you consider any of the connections, the same current must come out that goes in. A resistor connected to just one other resistor, the current going through them, in series must be the same because where else could it go at the junction? If you imagine it start to build up at all (i.e. more current out of one than into the other) then, for a 1A current difference, there would be a build up of 1C of charge every second. Have you any idea how many volts there would be to keep 1C of charge at that connection point? If the resistors were separated by, say, 1cm, the forces involved would tear the wires of the circuit apart. (Look up Coulomb Force and work it out for two 1C charges, separated by 1cm - the numbers are huge).
 
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