The activity compares fixed resistive loads rather than accurately modelling heating lamp filaments. In series, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. In parallel, the equivalent resistance follows the reciprocal sum. Breaking one independent parallel branch does not break a neighbouring branch, provided both still connect across the ideal source.
Light, sound and electricity · Discover & try
How do different circuit paths change the result?
Reading level 4 of 5 · FluentChange
Word help
series
Components connected along one common current route.
parallel
Branches connected across the same pair of nodes.
Watch · Try · Explain
See how it works
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Ideal DC source and equal ohmic loads; glow is explanatory, not calibrated bulb brightness.
What to look for
- Series shares one current route
- Parallel shares two connection nodes
- One open branch need not break another
Explain what you noticed
Three equal loads use separate parallel branches. One branch is opened. What happens to the other two in this ideal model?
Keep this idea: Trace paths and shared connections before judging a circuit.
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Source material checked 2026-10-28. Explanations and activities by Nepedia. Source links do not imply endorsement.
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