Series and parallel circuits – practice for Years 8–9

Sample questions on Series and parallel circuits with the right answer and a worked solution, from easy to hard. In the Pickles Academy app a child gets new questions of the same kind every time, so they can't just learn the answers by heart.

Subject

Physics

Year

Years 8–9

Curriculum area

Electricity, magnetism and light

Question types: Series and parallel

Sample questions

1. Question 1 Easy

   Look at the circuit diagram and decide whether each statement is true (YES) or not (NO).

   1. The bulbs are connected in series.
   2. There are 4 bulbs in the circuit.
   3. If one bulb blew, the others would go out.
   Show the solution

   Answer:

   1. The bulbs are connected in series. – no
   2. There are 4 bulbs in the circuit. – no
   3. If one bulb blew, the others would go out. – no

   How it works: Each bulb has its own branch connected straight to the battery. 1. NO 2. NO 3. NO

2. Question 2 Normal

   Look at the circuit diagram and decide whether each statement is true (YES) or not (NO).

   1. The bulbs are lit now.
   2. The bulbs are connected in parallel.
   3. If one bulb blew with the switch closed, the others would go out.
   4. There are 2 bulbs in the circuit.
   Show the solution

   Answer:

   1. The bulbs are lit now. – yes
   2. The bulbs are connected in parallel. – yes
   3. If one bulb blew with the switch closed, the others would go out. – no
   4. There are 2 bulbs in the circuit. – no

   How it works: Each bulb has its own branch connected straight to the battery. The switch is closed. 1. YES 2. YES 3. NO 4. NO

3. Question 3 Hard

   Look at the circuit diagram and decide whether each statement is true (YES) or not (NO).

   1. The bulbs are connected in series.
   2. Each bulb with the switch closed has the same voltage across it as the battery.
   3. There are 3 bulbs in the circuit.
   4. If one bulb blew with the switch closed, the others would go out.
   5. The bulbs are lit now.
   Show the solution

   Answer:

   1. The bulbs are connected in series. – no
   2. Each bulb with the switch closed has the same voltage across it as the battery. – yes
   3. There are 3 bulbs in the circuit. – yes
   4. If one bulb blew with the switch closed, the others would go out. – no
   5. The bulbs are lit now. – yes

   How it works: Each bulb has its own branch connected straight to the battery. The switch is closed. 1. NO 2. YES 3. YES 4. NO 5. YES

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