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The basic components of an electric circuit are a power source (such as a battery), conductors (such as wires), and loads (such as light bulbs or motors).
Voltage can be calculated using Ohm's Law, which states that voltage (V) equals current (I) multiplied by resistance (R), or V=IR. You can also use Kirchhoff's Voltage Law to calculate voltage drops across different components in a circuit.
In a series circuit, all components are connected in a single loop, so the current is the same throughout the circuit. In a parallel circuit, components are connected in multiple branches, so the current is divided between them. Additionally, in a series circuit, the voltage drops across each component add up to the total voltage of the circuit, while in a parallel circuit, the voltage is the same across each branch.
The total resistance in a parallel circuit is calculated by taking the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each individual resistance. This can be expressed as 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn, where Rt is the total resistance and R1-Rn are the individual resistances.
Kirchhoff's Laws, including the Current Law and the Voltage Law, can be used to set up a system of equations to solve for unknown values in a complex circuit. The Current Law states that the sum of all currents entering a junction must equal the sum of all currents leaving the junction, while the Voltage Law states that the sum of all voltage drops in a closed loop must equal the sum of the voltage sources in the loop. By setting up and solving these equations, you can find the values of currents, voltages, and resistances in a circuit.
