Series circuits

In a series circuit the current is the same at every point in the circuit.

In the circuit below if A₁ = 0.2 A then A₂ and A₃ will also be 0.2 A.

Voltmeter V₁ will read 1.5 V and voltmeters V₂ and V₃ will both read 0.75 V.



Parallel circuits

In a parallel circuit the current 'splits' at a junction.

In the circuit below if A₁ = 0.2 A then A₂ will read 0.4 A and A₃ and A₄ will both read 0.2 A.

Voltmeter V₁ will read 1.5 V and voltmeter V₂ will also read 1.5 V.