Question
Draw a diagram to show how 1.5 V cells should be connected together to give a potential difference of 4.5 v. Use the correct circuit symbol for a cell.
Answer
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Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
You need to connect three of the 1.5V cells in series. To depict this, draw three long and short parallel lines (which represent the positive and negative ends, respectively, of a battery) in series, thus depicting the three batteries in aggregate conveying a supply of 4.5V.
Explanation
To achieve a potential difference of 4.5V using 1.5V cells, you would need to connect three 1.5V cells in series. Series circuits are a type of electrical circuit in which the current follows one path, which means it must flow through the components of the circuit sequentially. In a series circuit, the source and terminus of the current are the positive and negative ends, respectively, to ensure the proper direction of current. In our case, with the series circuit of three 1.5V cells, the current keeps the same all down the line which allows the voltages to add up, equating to 3 x 1.5V = 4.5V. It's important to remember that in the series configuration, the battery symbol utilizes long and short parallel lines in representing the positive and negative terminals, respectively.