Understanding Electric Circuit Resistors: Parallel Configurations

[temaire]

I just have a quick question. Are all three resistors in the figure below in parallel? I know that R2 and R3 are parallel to each other, but what about R1?

[PLAIN]http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4171/circuitzu.png

 

[berkeman]

I just have a quick question. Are all three resistors in the figure below in parallel? I know that R2 and R3 are parallel to each other, but what about R1?

[PLAIN]http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4171/circuitzu.png[/QUOTE]

No. R1 is in series with the parallel combination of R2 and R3.

Parallel components will share both ends together. Series components will only share one end connected together.

Does that make sense?

 

[Phrak]

As berkeman says, two circuit elements with their ends tied together are said to be in parallel, almost always.

Whether or not two circuit elements are said to be in parallel or series is relative two designated nodes. These nodes are invariably across a current or voltage source. This is just tradition, and everybody does this without thinking.

Relative to your 2 amp source, R2 and R3 are in parallel.