# A student sets up a circuit with a battery and a single lamp. The student then adds a second identical lamp in series with the first lamp. Describe what happens to the brightness of the original lamp when the second lamp is added in series, and explain why this change occurs.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 1.1 Electric circuits · Describe and Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The original lamp becomes dimmer (less bright)
2. Adding a lamp in series increases the total resistance of the circuit
3. Because resistance increases, the current in the circuit decreases
4. Less current through the original lamp means less energy is transferred per second, so it is dimmer

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and 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-sets-up-a-circuit-b117bb48) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.