So, i can find my notes andlike, now please

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The discussion centers on a user seeking help with understanding parallel and series circuits for an upcoming physics test after misplacing their notes. Key concepts include Kirchhoff's laws, which involve the junction and loop rules for analyzing circuits, and Ohm's Law for calculating current, voltage, and resistance. Participants emphasize the importance of practicing problems and refer to resources for better understanding. They also clarify the differences in behavior between series and parallel circuits, particularly regarding current and voltage distribution. Overall, the conversation highlights the necessity of grasping fundamental circuit principles to succeed in the test.
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alright so i just found out I've got a physics test tomorrow and i can't find my notes. can somebody help explain the rules for parallel and series circuits and how to solve them for current, voltage, and resistance? i think that's all i need..

ps-this is my first post so yay! maybe this will keep me from failing =)
 
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confused. said:
alright so i just found out I've got a physics test tomorrow and i can't find my notes. can somebody help explain the rules for parallel and series circuits and how to solve them for current, voltage, and resistance? i think that's all i need..

ps-this is my first post so yay! maybe this will keep me from failing =)

Signing up to a new forum the night before your exam is likely provide much more of a distraction than a learning aid.

If you simply google these questions, you'll find plenty of answers.
 
right.. but i googled those questions and links to this forum came up. only they were just answers to some kid's homework, so it didnt really help.
 
Read up on Kirchoff's laws (junction and loop rule) -- Also I'm assuming you have a book? Read it and do practice problem.

Also try looking up parallel and series resistors, doesn't sound like you're doing capacitors yet.

Basically in a circuit we have a voltage source, it increases the voltage and everything else (resistors, capacitors, etc) can be thought of as decreasing the voltage. So if you write everything out in terms of voltage the equations should equal 0. Just make multiple loops around the circuit until you have as many equations as unknowns, then just solve.
 
Feldoh said:
Read up on Kirchoff's laws (junction and loop rule) -- Also I'm assuming you have a book? Read it and do practice problem.

Also try looking up parallel and series resistors, doesn't sound like you're doing capacitors yet.

Seconded...these are more commonly referred to as the KVL and KCL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirchhoff's_circuit_laws

Also make sure you know Ohm's Law and the rules for adding resistors in parallel and series is described here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_and_parallel_circuits
 
The general rules are:

For series circuits:
1. The current is the same for all elements.
2. The voltage drops sum to the source voltage.
3. Resistances add.

For parallel circuits:
1. The voltage is the same for all elements.
2. The the branch currents sum to the total current.
3. The sum of inverse of the individual resistors is the inverse of the total resistance.

In general for series parallel circiut reduce parallel pairs, to get a series circiut.
 
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