Concord Consortium: Calculating Voltage in Series Circuits

Measuring the voltage in a circuit is like measuring the drop in pressure across two points. Learn more with this tutorial.

Use the series and parallel resistance formulas to determine the total resistances of the parts. Then, use Ohm's Law to calculate the voltage drops across each part.

Measuring voltage drops across resistances in series-parallel circuits requires an understanding of both series and parallel circuit behavior. Learn more with this tutorial.

Use Ohm's Law to calculate the current in parallel circuits.

There are three different measures of AC voltage. Here, consider the peak voltage to measure it.

Use resistance formulas to determine the total resistances of the series and parallel parts. Then, use Ohm's Law to calculate the voltage drops across and currents through each part.

Use the formula for the parallel resistors to calculate the total resistance in series-parallel circuits.

Measure current through resistances in series-parallel circuits requires current-measuring skills used in both series and parallel circuits.

When measuring the current in parallel circuits, compare the circuit's total current with the current through just one resistor.

See how oscillations in an AC circuit don't always rise and fall together.