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ScienceAges 10-12

Series & parallel resistor networks

Calculate equivalent resistance for resistors in series (R₁ + R₂) or in parallel ((R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂)). Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Series & parallel resistor networks

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. Two resistors of 25 Ω and 17 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Series: R₁ = 25 Ω, R₂ = 17 Ω · R_eq = R₁ + R₂ = ?
  2. 2. Two resistors of 4 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Series: R₁ = 4 Ω, R₂ = 3 Ω · R_eq = R₁ + R₂ = ?
  3. 3. Two resistors of 75 Ω and 150 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Parallel: 75 Ω ∥ 150 Ω · 1/R_eq = 1/75 + 1/150
  4. 4. Two resistors of 9 Ω and 18 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Series: R₁ = 9 Ω, R₂ = 18 Ω · R_eq = R₁ + R₂ = ?
  5. 5. Two resistors of 15 Ω and 30 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Parallel: 15 Ω ∥ 30 Ω · 1/R_eq = 1/15 + 1/30
  6. 6. Two resistors of 23 Ω and 17 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Series: R₁ = 23 Ω, R₂ = 17 Ω · R_eq = R₁ + R₂ = ?
  7. 7. Two resistors of 12 Ω and 24 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Parallel: 12 Ω ∥ 24 Ω · 1/R_eq = 1/12 + 1/24
  8. 8. Two resistors of 10 Ω and 15 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Series: R₁ = 10 Ω, R₂ = 15 Ω · R_eq = R₁ + R₂ = ?
  9. 9. Two resistors of 20 Ω and 20 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Parallel: 20 Ω ∥ 20 Ω · 1/R_eq = 1/20 + 1/20
  10. 10. Two resistors of 24 Ω and 120 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Parallel: 24 Ω ∥ 120 Ω · 1/R_eq = 1/24 + 1/120
  11. 11. Two resistors of 15 Ω and 60 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Parallel: 15 Ω ∥ 60 Ω · 1/R_eq = 1/15 + 1/60
  12. 12. Two resistors of 14 Ω and 2 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    +−R
    Series: R₁ = 14 Ω, R₂ = 2 Ω · R_eq = R₁ + R₂ = ?
12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Series & parallel resistor networks

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. Two resistors of 25 Ω and 17 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    42 Ω

    In a series circuit, resistances add directly: R_eq = 25 Ω + 17 Ω = 42 Ω.

  2. 2. Two resistors of 4 Ω and 3 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    7 Ω

    In a series circuit, resistances add directly: R_eq = 4 Ω + 3 Ω = 7 Ω.

  3. 3. Two resistors of 75 Ω and 150 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    50 Ω

    For two parallel resistors, R_eq = (75 × 150) ÷ (75 + 150) = 11250 ÷ 225 = 50 Ω.

  4. 4. Two resistors of 9 Ω and 18 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    27 Ω

    In a series circuit, resistances add directly: R_eq = 9 Ω + 18 Ω = 27 Ω.

  5. 5. Two resistors of 15 Ω and 30 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    10 Ω

    For two parallel resistors, R_eq = (15 × 30) ÷ (15 + 30) = 450 ÷ 45 = 10 Ω.

  6. 6. Two resistors of 23 Ω and 17 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    40 Ω

    In a series circuit, resistances add directly: R_eq = 23 Ω + 17 Ω = 40 Ω.

  7. 7. Two resistors of 12 Ω and 24 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    8 Ω

    For two parallel resistors, R_eq = (12 × 24) ÷ (12 + 24) = 288 ÷ 36 = 8 Ω.

  8. 8. Two resistors of 10 Ω and 15 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    25 Ω

    In a series circuit, resistances add directly: R_eq = 10 Ω + 15 Ω = 25 Ω.

  9. 9. Two resistors of 20 Ω and 20 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    10 Ω

    For two parallel resistors, R_eq = (20 × 20) ÷ (20 + 20) = 400 ÷ 40 = 10 Ω.

  10. 10. Two resistors of 24 Ω and 120 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    20 Ω

    For two parallel resistors, R_eq = (24 × 120) ÷ (24 + 120) = 2880 ÷ 144 = 20 Ω.

  11. 11. Two resistors of 15 Ω and 60 Ω are connected in parallel. Using R_eq = (R₁ × R₂) ÷ (R₁ + R₂), calculate their equivalent resistance.

    12 Ω

    For two parallel resistors, R_eq = (15 × 60) ÷ (15 + 60) = 900 ÷ 75 = 12 Ω.

  12. 12. Two resistors of 14 Ω and 2 Ω are connected in series across a circuit. Calculate their combined equivalent resistance.

    16 Ω

    In a series circuit, resistances add directly: R_eq = 14 Ω + 2 Ω = 16 Ω.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification