Question

In a circuit, why is an ammeter connected in series?
Similarly, why is a voltmeter connected in parallel across the points between which PD has to be measured?
Please answer!

Answer 1

Answer:

An ammeter has a very low resistance so as to not change the voltage of the circuit. Therefore, it is connected in series so that the current does not take the low resistance path and travel only through ammeter and skip the rest of the circuit. In simpler language, if an ammeter is connected in parallel, all the current would go only through the ammeter and not to the part where it needs to.

A voltmeter has very high resistance when connected in parallel. Here we already know that devices in parallel have the same potential difference. Therefore, if the voltmeter was connected in series, the value of current would drop drastically and enough current would not be given to the appliance. Hence it is connected in parallel.