Series

Definition

A series circuit is one in which resistors are connected end-to-end so that the same current flows through each resistor. The total resistance in a series circuit is the sum of the individual resistances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In a series circuit, the current is constant throughout all components.
2. The total resistance in a series circuit is given by $R_{total} = R_1 + R_2 + ... + R_n$.
3. If one component fails in a series circuit, the entire circuit stops functioning.
4. Voltage drops across each resistor in a series circuit add up to the total voltage supplied by the source.
5. Ohm's Law ($V = IR$) applies to each individual resistor in a series as well as to the entire circuit.

Review Questions

• What happens to the total resistance when resistors are added in series?
• How does current behave across different resistors in a series circuit?
• What is the relationship between individual voltage drops and total voltage in a series circuit?

Related terms

Parallel Circuit:

A parallel circuit has multiple paths for current to flow through, with each path having its own individual components.

Ohm's Law:

$V = IR$, which describes the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R).

Voltage Drop:

The reduction in voltage across a component or resistor due to its impedance.