# A student connects three lamps in a parallel circuit. Describe two differences between a parallel circuit and a series circuit, and explain why removing one lamp from the parallel circuit does not cause the other two lamps to go out.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 7.2 Series and parallel circuits · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Difference 1: In a parallel circuit the current splits/divides between branches, whereas in a series circuit the same current flows through all components.
2. Difference 2: In a parallel circuit each component has the same voltage across it as the supply voltage, whereas in a series circuit the supply voltage is shared/split between components.
3. Each lamp in a parallel circuit is on its own separate branch/loop connected directly to the supply.
4. Removing one lamp only breaks that branch, so current can still flow through the other branches/lamps.

## Key terms

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

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-connects-three-lamps-in-0555c043) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.