Class 12 Physics simulations · Current Electricity

Cells in series and parallel

Combine n identical cells in series or in parallel and compare the current through a load.

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What to notice

Series helps when the load resistance is large; parallel helps when it is small compared with r.

Key relation

Series: I = nE/(R + nr) ; Parallel: I = E/(R + r/n)

Try this

Set R much smaller than r. Which arrangement gives more current?

What you can change

• Arrangement: choose Series, Parallel
• Number of cells n: 1 to 8
• EMF of each cell: 1 to 2 V
• Internal resistance: 0.1 to 2 Ω
• Load resistance R: 0.5 to 20 Ω

More in Current Electricity

• Ohm’s law circuit
• Electron drift in a wire
• A real cell under load
• Kirchhoff’s laws: two-loop circuit
• Potentiometer: comparing EMFs
• Resistance and temperature
• Series and parallel resistors
• Wheatstone bridge

See all Class 12 Physics simulations or every Physica simulation.