Series & Parallel Circuits
📋 What it is
In series, parts share one path; in parallel, each part has its own path — behaving very differently.
🗣️ Coach says
There are two ways to wire components. In SERIES they’re on one single loop, so if one breaks, all stop (old fairy lights). In PARALLEL each has its own branch, so one can fail and the rest keep working (house wiring). Same parts, different connection, very different behaviour.
🧠 Memory hook
Series = one shared path (one fails, all fail). Parallel = separate paths (one fails, others live).
😂 Giggle
What did the switch say to the light bulb?
"I'm the one who turns you on!"
😲 Whoa!
Old-style holiday lights were wired in series — one dead bulb killed the whole string, sending people hunting bulb by bulb; modern ones use parallel wiring so the rest stay lit.
✅ Quick check: In a series circuit, what happens to the others if one bulb burns out?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
They all go out — series shares one path, so a single break stops the whole circuit.
Series has one loop; a break anywhere stops all.
🪄 Trick question: Would you wire the rooms of a house in series or parallel?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
Parallel — so turning off (or a fault in) one room doesn’t shut down every other room.
Parallel keeps circuits independent, which homes need.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Wire two bulbs in series (dimmer) then in parallel (both bright); unscrew one and compare.