Series & Parallel

Interactive simulation — adjust parameters and watch the visualization update in real time.

How it works

Compare equivalent resistance and currents for the same two resistors: in series they add (larger R, smaller current); in parallel the equivalent resistance is smaller than either branch, so the battery supplies more total current while each branch sees the full voltage V.

Key equations

R_s = R₁ + R₂,   I_s = V / R_s
1/R_p = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂,   I_tot = V/R_p,   I₁ = V/R₁,   I₂ = V/R₂