Illustration Simple circuit with a resistor

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A simple circuit, with resistance $R$ drawn in, electric voltage $U$ applied to the resistor, and therefore an electric current $I$ flowing through the resistor. Ohm's law states:\[ U ~=~ R \, I \]

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Parallelschaltung von drei Widerständen und deren Spannungen

Circuit with an Ideal Voltage Source

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Lesson

Simple (Series and Parallel) Circuits. The Basics.

Here you will learn how an electrical circuit works and how to apply Ohm's Law to it. You will also learn about parallel and series circuits and their difference.

Related formulas

Formula

Series circuit (total resistance, equivalent resistance)

$$ R ~=~ R_1 ~+~ R_2 ~+~ R_3 ~+~ ... $$

Formula

Series Circuit of Resistors (Total Current)

$$ \class{red}{I} ~=~ \class{red}{I_1} ~=~ \class{red}{I_2} ~=~ \class{red}{I_3} ~=~ ... ~=~ \class{red}{I_n} $$

Formula

Series Circuit of Resistors (Voltage)

$$ U ~=~ U_1 ~+~ U_2 ~+~ U_3 ~+~ ... ~+~ U_n $$

Formula

Parallel connection (total resistance, equivalent resistance)

$$ \frac{1}{R} ~=~ \frac{1}{R_1} ~+~ \frac{1}{R_2} ~+~ \frac{1}{R_3} ~+~ ... $$

Formula

Parallel Circuit of Resistors (Total Current)

$$ \class{red}{I} ~=~ \class{red}{I_1} ~+~ \class{red}{I_2} ~+~ \class{red}{I_3} ~+~ ... ~+~ \class{red}{I_n} $$

Formula

Parallel Circuit of Resistors (Total Voltage)

$$ U ~=~ U_1 ~=~ U_2 ~=~ U_3 ~=~ ... $$

Formula

Voltage Divider (Output and Input Voltage, Resistors)

$$ U_{\text{out}} = \frac{R_2}{R_1 + R_2} \, U_{\text{in}} $$

Formula

Practical Voltage Source (Ideal Voltage, Internal Resistance)

$$ U = \frac{\class{blue}{U_0}}{1 + \frac{R_{\text i}}{R}} $$

Questions & Answers

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CourseBasics of Electricity and Magnetism Electromagnetic phenomena and their applications

All contents of the course

Lesson
Level 1 (suitable for all)
Electric Current: The Most Basic Explanation From a Physics Point of View

In this lesson you will learn the basics of the electric current, i.e. the definition, its physical meaning and unit.
Lesson
Level 1 (suitable for all)
Voltage: How it is created by charge separation!

Here you will learn what voltage is, how it is generated by charge separation, how a voltage source can be created, and what voltage has to do with current.
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Ohm's law: Formula, Graph and 3 Easy Examples

Here you learn Ohm's law, how it is expressed as a formula and as a graph. We also look at three examples.
You are here.
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Plate Capacitor: Voltage, Capacitance and Eletric Force

Here the plate capacitor is simply explained. With the help of the capacitor you will learn about the electric voltage, electric field and electric capacitance and how to calculate them for a plate capacitor.
Lesson
Level 3 (with higher mathematics)
RC Circuit: Charging and Discharging a Capacitor

Here you will learn about the RC circuit. This is a resistor and capacitor connected in series. The capacitor can be charged and discharged via the resistor.
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Capacitive reactance of a capacitor

Learn what capacitive reactance is and how to determine it for a capacitor in an AC circuit. We also make a simple example!
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Inductive Reactance of a Coil

Learn what inductive reactance is and how to determine it for a coil in an AC circuit.
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Left / Right-Hand Rule: How to Determine Lorentz Force Direction

You learn how to use the hand rule to determine the direction of the Lorentz force and whether you have to use your right or left hand.
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Lorentz Force: How to Determine its Direction and Understand Formula

Learn how Lorentz force (magnetic force) deflects a moving charge (electron) in the magnetic field and how you can determine the direction of the deflection.
Lesson
Level 2 (without higher mathematics)
Teltron Tube Experiment and How to Get The Specific Charge of a Particle

Here you will learn how a teltron tube experiment is set up, how it visualizes electron motion, and how you can use it to find out specific charge.
Lesson
Level 3 (with higher mathematics)
Hall Effect: A Simple Explanation of How Hall Voltage is Induced

Explanation of what the Hall effect is, how exactly the Hall voltage is generated and how you can calculate it and the Hall constant.

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Illustration Simple circuit with a resistor

Electric Current: The Most Basic Explanation From a Physics Point of View

Voltage: How it is created by charge separation!

Ohm's law: Formula, Graph and 3 Easy Examples

Plate Capacitor: Voltage, Capacitance and Eletric Force

RC Circuit: Charging and Discharging a Capacitor

Capacitive reactance of a capacitor

Inductive Reactance of a Coil

Left / Right-Hand Rule: How to Determine Lorentz Force Direction

Lorentz Force: How to Determine its Direction and Understand Formula

Teltron Tube Experiment and How to Get The Specific Charge of a Particle

Hall Effect: A Simple Explanation of How Hall Voltage is Induced