How should a voltmeter be connected in a circuit to measure voltage?

To measure voltage in a circuit, a voltmeter should be connected in parallel with the potential points being measured. This configuration allows the voltmeter to accurately capture the voltage difference between the two points without significantly affecting the current flow in the circuit.

In parallel, the voltmeter has high internal resistance, which minimizes the loading effect on the circuit. This means that the voltmeter will draw very little current, allowing the circuit to operate normally and ensuring that the voltage measurement reflects the actual voltage across those points. Connecting the voltmeter in this manner guarantees that it can measure the potential difference accurately.

If a voltmeter were to be connected in series with the circuit, it could disrupt the normal operation of the circuit because it would introduce an additional resistance, affecting the current and preventing a true voltage reading. Therefore, the correct method of connecting a voltmeter is in parallel to effectively measure the voltage across components or terminals in the circuit.