Physics · Class 7–10

Series vs Parallel Circuits

See the two ways to connect bulbs — and why your home wiring uses one but not the other.

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🧠 Remember it

Series vs Parallel Circuits

Series = one path (one bulb fails, all go out). Parallel = many paths (one fails, the others stay on). "Series = single file, Parallel = many lanes."

🌏 In real life

Your home wiring is parallel — switching off the fan doesn't turn off the lights. Old cheap fairy-light strings were in series, so one dead bulb killed the whole string.

📝 Quick notes

  • Series circuit: components are joined end-to-end in a single loop; the same current flows through all.
  • In series, if one component breaks, the whole circuit stops.
  • Parallel circuit: components sit on separate branches; each gets the full voltage.
  • In parallel, if one branch breaks, the other branches keep working.

🎯 Test yourself

In a series circuit, what happens if one bulb fuses?

The circuit breaks and all the bulbs go out.

Learn it fully — free

See the animated, step-by-step Series vs Parallel Circuits lesson on Syllab

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