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Physics Lesson 15.4.3 - Combination of Cells
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Welcome to our Physics lesson on Combination of Cells, this is the third lesson of our suite of physics lessons covering the topic of Electric Circuits. Series and Parallel Circuits. Short Circuits, you can find links to the other lessons within this tutorial and access additional physics learning resources below this lesson.
Combination of Cells
Cells - just like resistors - can be combined in series and in parallel. Such combinations are made for practical purposes or for necessity.
a. Series combination of cells
When the positive terminal of one cell is placed in contact with the negative terminal of another cell, we say they are connected in series, as shown in the figure below.
A series combination of cells offers the advantage of the increase in electromotive force as
Thus for two dry cells connected in series, we obtain
= 3 V
However, there is a drawback when connecting two cells is series: their life is not so long as they have to work at full capacity.
b. Parallel combination of cells
When two cells are placed side by side in a circuit, we say they are connected in parallel as shown in the figure below.
A parallel combination of cells has an advantage to the series combination: the batteries last longer as they help each other to do the required work. This results in a slower consumption of each battery.
However, a parallel setup of cells has a serious drawback: the potential difference is the same as if there was a single cell in the circuit. This means the electric source shown in the above figure produces an electromotive force of 1.5 V, as it is composed by two dry cells.
You have reached the end of Physics lesson 15.4.3 Combination of Cells. There are 5 lessons in this physics tutorial covering Electric Circuits. Series and Parallel Circuits. Short Circuits, you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.
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