# Combination of resistors in series and parallel connection

Suppose you have two resistors of resistance 2 ohm each, but you need 1 ohm resistance to use or connect in a circuit. What will you do if there are no other sources to collect a resistor of resistance 1 ohm? Again, what will you do if you need 4 ohm resistance to use? Yes, the answer is that we need to use the combination of the available resistors. There are two types of combinations of resistors – Series combination and Parallel combination. In this article, we are going to explain the combination of resistors in series and parallel for class 10 and 12. Also, we will derive the equivalent resistance in series and parallel connection.

Contents in this article:

1. Series Combination of Resistors
2. Equivalent resistance of the combination of resistors in series
3. Parallel Combination of Resistors
4. Equivalent resistance for the combination of resistors in parallel
5. Numerical problems on the combinations of resistors

## Combination of Resistorsin series with circuit diagram

The neat circuit diagram for series connection of resistors is shown above. In series combination of resistors we need to connect resistors one by one in a row. That means each resistor will be connected at ending point of previous resistor. The series combination of resistors has a significant role in electrical circuits. Using series combination of resistors one can increase the effective resistance to a higher value. The connection of a battery across this combination will provide the current flow through the resistors.

## Derive the formula for equivalent resistance for series combination of resistors

Let, three resistors of resistances R1, R2 and R3 are connected in series and the battery across the series connection supplies the electric current through the circuit. Let, I be the electric current flowing through the circuit. Since, there is only one loop, then the same amount of current will flow through each resistance. Here, the battery supplies voltage across the resistors. If V1, V2 and V3 be the voltage drops across the resistors R1, R2 and R3, then

V = ( V1 + V2 + V3 )

or, IReq = ( IR1 + IR2 + IR3 ) [ Using Ohm’s Law]

or, Req = ( R1 + R2 + R3 ) ………………….(1)

If we connect N number of resistors in series then the equivalent resistance of the series combination of resistors will be

Req = ( R1 + R2 + R3 + ……. + RN ) ……………..(2)

Equation-(2) gives the formula for equivalent resistance in series combination of resistors.

This equation shows that in series combination, the effective resistance increases. Series equivalent resistance is greater than every individual resistance in that combination.

## Explain the Parallel combination of resistors with neat diagram

The neat circuit diagram for parallel connection of resistors is shown above. In parallel combination of resistors we need to connect resistors in a column between same two points. The parallel combination of resistors also has a significant role in electric circuits. Using the parallel combination of larger resistors one can decrease the effective resistance to a lower value than individual resistors. The external battery will supply current through the resistors.

## Derive the formula of equivalent resistance for the parallel combination of resistors

Let, three resistors of resistances R1, R2 and R3 are connected in parallel and the battery across the parallel connection supplies the electric current through the circuit. As the resistors are connected parallelly across the same two points, then the voltage difference across all resistances is same and is equal to the voltage of the external battery. Let, I be the electric current emitting from the battery. This current will divide into three parts to flow through three resistances. If I1, I2 and I3 be the current through the resistors R1, R2 and R3 then

I = ( I1 + I2 + I3 )

or, $\small \frac{V}{R_{eq}}=\frac{V}{R_{1}}+\frac{V}{R_{2}}+\frac{V}{R_{3}}$

or, $\small \frac{1}{R_{eq}}=(\frac{1}{R_{1}}+\frac{1}{R_{2}}+\frac{1}{R_{3}})$ ……………(3)

If we connect N number of resistors in parallel combination then the formula for equivalent resistance in parallel combination is

$\small \frac{1}{R_{eq}}=(\frac{1}{R_{1}}+\frac{1}{R_{2}}+\frac{1}{R_{3}}+.........+\frac{1}{R_{N}})$ ………………(4)

From the equation-(4), one can see that the equivalent resistance in parallel combination is smaller than individual resistances of the combination. So, in parallel combination, the effective resistance decreases.

## Facts related to the combination of resistors

1. Series connection of resistors increases the effective resistance and the parallel connection of resistors decreases the equivalent resistance.
2. Equivalent resistance of series combination is greater than the individual resistances used in the combination. Thus, if we connect more resistances in series in a circuit, the amount of current flow decreases if the external voltage remains same. Since, there is only one path in series connection, the amount current flow through each resistor will be same. But, the voltage drop across the resistors will be different.
3. The equivalent resistance of parallel combination is smaller than the individual resistances used in the combination. Thus, if we connect more resistances in parallel in a circuit, the battery will provide more current if the voltage remains same. This amount of current divides into the branches of resistors. That means the current will not be same through each resistor. As the resistors in parallel are connected between two same points, the voltage drop across all the resistors will be equal.

## Numeral problems on combination of resistances

1. Two equal resistors are connected once in series and once in parallel combination. Find the ratio of equivalent resistances in these cases.
2. How can you get 3 ohm resistance by using three 2 ohm resistances?
3. Find the minimum effective resistance from the combination of four 2 ohm resistors.

This is all from the combination of resistors in series and parallel and their derivation. If you have any doubt on this topic you can ask me in the comment section.

Thank you!

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