Question

List five characteristics of a series circuit

Answer 1

1. The current is the same everywhere in the circuit. This means that wherever I try to measure
the current, I will obtain the same reading.
2. Each component has an individual Ohm's law Voltage Drop. This means that I can calculate
the voltage using Ohm's Law if I know the current through the component and the resistance.
3. Kirchoff's Voltage Law Applies. This means that the sum of all the voltage sources is equal to
the sum of all the voltage drops or
VS = V1 + V2 + V3 + . . . + VN
4. The total resistance in the circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + . . . + RN
5. The sum of the power supplied by the source is equal to the sum of the power dissipated in
the components.
PT = P1 + P2 + P3 + . . . + PN