Year 9 Science · Unit 3 · Lesson 18
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Compare two
Complete the table to compare series and parallel circuits. Fill in both cells for each feature row.
| Feature | Series Circuit | Parallel Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage across each component | ||
| Current through each component | ||
| Effect of one open switch / break | ||
| Total resistance relationship | ||
| Use in home wiring | ||
| Use in solar panel arrays |
Find the mistake
A student wrote this answer
"In a parallel circuit, the current is the same in all branches, just like in a series circuit. This is why parallel circuits are used in homes: because series circuits are used for appliances that need to be switched independently. Also, when you add more resistors in series, the total resistance decreases because there are more paths for current to flow."
1. There are three errors in the student's answer. List all three errors clearly.
2. Write a corrected version of each error. For each correction, use a scientific principle to explain why the student's original statement was wrong.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?