A series circuit is a circuit where ...

A series circuit is a circuit where ...

• A. The current is split or follows two (or more) alternative paths, and all components have the same voltage dropped across them
• B. The current is split or follows two (or more) alternative paths, and the sum of the voltage drops adds up to the source voltage
• C. The same current flows through all components, and the sum of the voltage drops adds up to the source voltage
• D. The same current flows through all components, and their voltage drops are all equal to the source voltage

Answer: (C)

In a series circuit there is only one path for current, so the same current flows through every component. Because the current is fixed and the supply voltage is fixed, the voltage drop across each component depends on its resistance (V = IR), and the voltages add up: Vtotal = V1 + V2 + … In other words, all the drops together equal the source voltage, even though each drop can be different. The other ideas describe different arrangements: current splitting or multiple paths happens in parallel, where the voltage is the same across each branch. In series the voltage across each component is not the same as the source, but the sum of all drops equals the source voltage. For example, two resistors in series with a 12 V source share the current (the same through both), and the drops add to 12 V (e.g., 4 V and 8 V).

In a series circuit there is only one path for current, so the same current flows through every component. Because the current is fixed and the supply voltage is fixed, the voltage drop across each component depends on its resistance (V = IR), and the voltages add up: Vtotal = V1 + V2 + … In other words, all the drops together equal the source voltage, even though each drop can be different.

The other ideas describe different arrangements: current splitting or multiple paths happens in parallel, where the voltage is the same across each branch. In series the voltage across each component is not the same as the source, but the sum of all drops equals the source voltage. For example, two resistors in series with a 12 V source share the current (the same through both), and the drops add to 12 V (e.g., 4 V and 8 V).