In a series circuit, the total voltage is the sum of all the component voltages.

In a series circuit, the total voltage is the sum of all the component voltages.

• A. Product
• B. The same as the source voltage
• C. Sum of all the component voltages
• D. Sum of the component resistances

Answer: (C)

In a series circuit, the current is the same through every component, and the voltages across each component must add up to the total supply voltage. This is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law in action: the sum of the voltage drops around the loop equals the source voltage. Therefore, the total voltage across the circuit is the sum of the individual voltage drops: V_total = V1 + V2 + V3 + …. This is why the statement about the total voltage being the sum of all component voltages is the correct choice. The voltages aren’t multiplied together, and the total isn’t determined by summing resistances. (In an ideal circuit the sum of the voltage drops equals the source voltage, which aligns with the additive relationship.)

In a series circuit, the current is the same through every component, and the voltages across each component must add up to the total supply voltage. This is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law in action: the sum of the voltage drops around the loop equals the source voltage. Therefore, the total voltage across the circuit is the sum of the individual voltage drops: V_total = V1 + V2 + V3 + ….

This is why the statement about the total voltage being the sum of all component voltages is the correct choice. The voltages aren’t multiplied together, and the total isn’t determined by summing resistances. (In an ideal circuit the sum of the voltage drops equals the source voltage, which aligns with the additive relationship.)