Series Circuits (Also seen in GCSE Physics 2)

In a series circuit all the components are in one circuit or loop. If resistor 1 in the diagram was removed this would break the whole circuit.

The total current of the circuit is the same at each point in the circuit.

The total voltage of the circuit is equal to the sum of the p.d.s across each resistor.

The total resistance of the circuit is equal to the sum of the resistance of each resistor.

Parallel Circuits (Also seen in GCSE Physics 2)

Components in parallel have their own separate circuit or loop. If resistor 1 in the diagram was removed this would only break that circuit, a current would still flow through resistors 2 and 3.