How Series and Parallel Circuits Work

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a clear and practical comparison between series and parallel electrical circuits. Using the relatable analogy of holiday lights, the narrator explains the fundamental structural differences between the two circuit types, specifically focusing on how current flows through single versus multiple pathways. The video uses clear circuit diagrams and animations to demonstrate what happens when a component fails in each configuration, highlighting the reliability advantage of parallel circuits. The content dives into the mathematical application of circuit theory, providing step-by-step instructions on how to calculate total resistance for both circuit types. It introduces the formulas for summing resistance in series ($R_s = R_1 + R_2...$) versus the reciprocal formula for parallel circuits ($R_p = 1 / (1/R_1 + 1/R_2...)$). The video walks viewers through specific practice problems using 60-ohm and 25-ohm resistors to demonstrate how adding resistors increases total resistance in series but decreases it in parallel. This video is an excellent resource for physics and physical science classrooms introducing electricity. It directly addresses common student difficulties, such as the counter-intuitive concept that adding resistors in parallel reduces total resistance. Teachers can use this video to transition from conceptual understanding of electron flow to the quantitative skills required to solve resistance problems, supported by the video's guided practice questions and summary tables.