Question

Why is resistance different in Series and Parallel?

Answer 1

Series Circuit:

1. In a series circuit resistors are connected in a chain, and the current passed through only one path.
2. The current through each resistor is the same.
3. Total resistance of a series circuit is the sum of the resistance value of each resistor.

$R_{eq}=R_1+R_2+R_3+......$

Parallel Circuit:

1. In a parallel circuit of resistors are connected by their heads with heads and tails with tails.
2. The voltage drop across each resistor is same in a parallel circuit.
3. Total resistance of a parallel circuit is the sum of the reciprocal of each individual resistor.

$R_{eq}=1/R_1+1/R_2+1/R_3+......$

Explanation:

1. In a parallel circuit, the overall resistance will always be less than any individual circuit.
2. Whereas in a series circuit overall resistance will always be more than any individual resistor.
3. In a parallel circuit total resistance is not equal to the sum of the total number of resistors like in a series circuit.

These are the reasons why parallel resistance and series resistance are not equal.