# A student connects two identical lamps in parallel with a battery. Explain how the current and voltage in the parallel circuit compare to those in a series circuit containing the same two lamps and the same battery.

> WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales) — 1.1 Electric circuits · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The voltage across each lamp in the parallel circuit is the same as the battery voltage / equal to the supply voltage
2. In the series circuit the voltage is shared / split between the two lamps
3. The total current from the battery is greater in the parallel circuit than in the series circuit
4. In the parallel circuit the current splits between the two branches / each lamp carries less current than the total, whereas in the series circuit the same current flows through both lamps

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales)](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-two-identical-lamps-22b8cb4d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.