# A student connects a battery to two bulbs in a series circuit. The student then reconnects the same two bulbs in a parallel circuit using the same battery. Explain how the potential difference across each bulb and the current through each bulb differ between the two circuits.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.5.1 Current Electricity · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. In a series circuit the potential difference (of the battery/supply) is shared between the two bulbs
2. In a parallel circuit the potential difference across each bulb is the same as the supply / battery voltage
3. In a series circuit the current through each bulb is the same
4. In a parallel circuit the total current from the battery is split / shared between the two bulbs
5. The current from the battery is greater in the parallel circuit than in the series circuit (because the total resistance is lower in parallel)

## Key terms

- [potential difference](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/potential-difference)
- [current](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/current)
- [series](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/series)
- [parallel](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/parallel)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-connects-a-battery-to-34fb5c3e) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.