Question

Chemical cells wired in series make the battery last _____________ those in parallel. Given both circuits receive the same load over the same time period.

Answer 1

Everything else being equal, the same cells arranged in series will have the same current passing through while those in parallel will have lower current as the total current is divided among the cells.

So Chemical cells wired in series make the battery last shorter than those in parallel.

Answer 2

Given both circuits receive the same load over the same time period, chemical cells wired in series will provide a higher voltage than cells wired in parallel. A higher voltage will increase the power delivered given the same load. So Chemical cells wired in series make the battery last shorter than those in parallel.