13. System of resistors

The resistors can be connected in different combinations to form an electric circuit. But, there are only two basic methods of joining resistors. These are:

a) Resistors in series
b) Resistors in parallel

 

We can easily compute the effective resistance of resistors with different resistance values when it is connected in series and parallel.

In a series circuit, the electrical components are connected in a single loop, one after the other. The electric charge in a series circuit can only flow in one direction.

 

 

If the circuit is broken or disturbed at any point in the loop, the current cannot flow through the circuit, and hence electric appliances linked to it will not function.

 

Let the resistances of three resistors be $R_1$, $R_2$ and $R_3$, connected in series, and 'I' be the current flowing through the circuit. According to Ohm's law, the potential differences $V_1$, $V_2$ and $V_3$ across $R_1$, $R_2$ and $R_3$, respectively, are given by

 

 

The sum of the potential differences across the ends of each resistor is given by

 

Substituting the values of $V_1$, $V_2$ and $V_3$ in the above equation, we get

$V = I{R}_1 + I{R}_2 + I{R}_3$ ---- (eq. 1)

Let $R_S$ be the effective resistance of the series-combination of the resistors. Then, the (eq. 1) becomes

$V$ $=$ $I\ R_S$

On substituting the values of effective resistance $V$ in (eq. 1), we get

 

When '$n$' number of resistors with an equal resistance '$R$' are connected in series, their equivalent resistance is given as '$n R$'. Hence,

$R_S$ $=$ $n R$

 

From the diagram, it is deduced that the current '$I$' remains constant throughout the series circuit. In other words, the current in every point or junction of the circuit is the same.