Recall and apply in calculations the principles that: (a) the total current entering a junction in a parallel circuit equals the total current leaving it, (b) the total potential difference (p.d.) across components in a series circuit equals the sum of the individual p.d.s, and (c) the p.d. across parallel resistances is the same as the p.d. across any single branch.

Quick explanation

Recall and apply in calculations the principles that: (a) the total current entering a junction in a parallel circuit equals the total current leaving it, (b) the total potential difference (p.d.) across components in a series circuit equals the sum of the individual p.d.s, and (c) the p.d. across parallel resistances is the same as the p.d. across any single branch

• This point belongs to Series and parallel circuits, especially Series and parallel circuits outcomes.
• You need to be able to recall and apply in calculations the principles that: (a) the total current entering a junction in a parallel circuit equals the total current leaving it, (b) the total potential difference (p.d.) across components in a series circuit equals the sum of the individual p.d.s, and (c) the p.d. across parallel resistances is the same as the p.d. across any single branch.
• The key ideas to know are Recall and Use.
• Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.