# Why is voltage added when batteries are connected in series but not in parallel?

As I understand, the different voltage between two object is caused by the total different charged between two object. Thus, the higher extra electron between two opposite charged object, the higher voltage between them, isn't it? So if i have two battery or capacitor connect in parallel, the negative connect to negative, the positive connect to the positive. Caused the charge from each plate to be double. So that's as my expected, it must be double voltage, but ironically why it's out of my expected and the reality is vice-versa?

• Where are you measuring the potentials? In series, each battery has 6V between its terminals, for a total of 12V between the outer terminals. In parallel, the corresponding terminals of each are bridged for a 0V difference between corresponding bridged terminals, and a 6V if opposites are also bridged. It is the same in hydraulics - two series pumps will double the pressure and maintain the same flow, but two parallel pumps will double the flow and maintain the same pressure, because each pump opposes rather than complements the pressure developed by the other. – Steve Jan 7 '18 at 17:17
• Please have a look here physics.stackexchange.com/a/420808/104696 – Farcher Aug 4 '18 at 12:39

You're reasoning from a faulty premise. The voltage difference depends on the strength of the electric field between the two points.

If and only if the electric field strength increases proportionally with the charge will your reasoning be correct.

But, in the two examples you give, this isn't the case.

For example, when you connect the two identical charged capacitors in parallel, the total plate area doubled so the surface charge density (total charge divided by total area) is unchanged and, thus, the electric field strength between the plates is unchanged.

Recall that, for a capacitor, the voltage across is proportional to

$$V \propto \frac{Qd}{A}$$

So if you double the charge $Q$ and double the plate area $A$, the voltage does not change

$$\frac{Qd}{A} = \frac{2Qd}{2A}$$

• You're amazing! you've safe much time of my life. Thank you so much. But how about "Connecting in series" ?, how do you explain that the voltage become double when connecting in series ? – DucFabulous Oct 20 '14 at 1:11
• Batteries cause a voltage differential. If one pole is at 0 Volt, the other will be 6 Volt higher (with your batteries). But if the first pole is already at +6 Volt, then the differential will still be 6 Volt, so the second pole will be at +12 Volt. – MSalters Jan 26 '15 at 9:11
• I've understand the parallel connection. But when we connect two batteries in series connection the junction point must get neutralize because here meets positive and negative poles of two batteries. Hence the voltage across series connection should be the same voltage as the voltage of individual battery. how the voltages of two batteries get added in this case?? – Rajesh Sardar Jul 31 '15 at 5:29

It might be helpful to consider the electronic dynamics involved and be aware of the difference to a circuit's parameters that the two configurations (series and parallel) result in electronically.

Two power sources in parallel will together output the same voltage as they would if they were the only power source present but the total current flow (measured in amps) of the two power sources is added together (if the two sources put out equal amounts of voltage then this means the entire circuit's amperage is doubled but the voltage remains the same).

In series, just the opposite is true - the amperage supplied to the circuit by two power sources is the same amperage as would be supplied by either source alone and the total voltage is then doubled (again, assuming the two sources are of equal size and capacity).

So it's a tradeoff when you combine two or more power sources, something must change or there'd be no point in doing it, logically something should increase. The tradeoff is that something is either current or voltage and which one it is, is determined by which configuration the power sources are in.

Keep in mind, these values aren't necessarily doubled, it only works out that way when both power sources are identical to each other.

Editing in the technical details of electronics involved for validation of my answer

   Kirchoff's Voltage Law: (parallel circuit)
"The algebraic sum of all voltages around any closed loop circuit must equal 0".
(A consequence of the conservation of energy).

Let V = voltage
V(source1) + [-V(source2)]  = 0
V(total) = V1 = V2
I(total) = I1 + I2


And

   Kirchoff's Current Law : (series circuit)
"The algebraic sum of all currents entering and exiting a node must equal 0".
(A consequence of the conservation of charge).

Let current=I
I(entering) + [-I(exiting)] = 0
I(total) = I1 = I2
V(total) = V1 + V2


There's what's known as :

   ideal voltage source - has zero internal resistance/impedance so that
changes in load resistance/impedance will not change the voltage
supplied.

(see Thevenin's Theorem). This is your parallel 2 source circuit.


And

   ideal current source - has infinite internal resistance/impedance
of impedance or resistance) so that changes in load impedance/resistance
will not change the current supplied.

(see Norton's Theorem). This is the series 2 source circuit.


Further information:

   Thevenin's Theorem :
"For linear electrical networks, any combination of voltage sources,
current sources, and resistors with two terminals is electrically
equivalent to a single voltage source V and a single resistor R.
Any two-terminal, linear bilateral dc network can be replaced by an
equivalent circuit consisting of a voltage source and a series resistor.
The voltage source is equal to the potential difference between the two
terminals connected to these terminals. The series resistance (or
impedance) is the equivalent resistance/impedance looking into the two
terminal ports with all the power sources within the pair inactive".

Or worded differently to reflect the ideal source concepts:

"Any electrical signal source is equivalent to an ideal voltage source in
series with a source impedance".


And

   Norton's Theorem :
"Any two terminals of a network composed of linear passive and active
circuit elements may be replaced by an equivalent current source and a
parallel resistance. The current of the source is the current measured in
the short circuit placed across the terminal-pair. The parallel
resistance is the equivalent resistance looking into the terminal-pair
with all the independent power sources inactive".

Or worded differently to reflect the ideal source concepts:

"Any electrical signal source is equivalent to an ideal current source in