do two identical loads in parallel have a greater total current than when they are connected in series?

 

What is Rt for R1 and R2 in series? In parallel?

 

well there are no numbers. we just have to prove the statement right or wrong.

"two identical loads in parallel have a greater total current than when they are connected in series"

when looking back on my notes..i'm pretty sure this statement is wrong right? because isnt the current equal?

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=117555

 

"two identical loads in parallel have a greater total current than when they were connected in series?"

 

Take another look at your parallel circuit and notice that each resistor is connected directly to the source/battery and not to each other. So, the source must supply current to the first resistor AND the second, AND... . Thus the total current is the sum of the individual branch currents. In the case of the series connection, there is only one " branch" through which current must flow; the magnitude of which is determined by the total resistance of the branch.