In a series circuit, the voltage drop across each component is proportional to its resistance. Which statement expresses this correctly?

In a series circuit, the voltage drop across each component is proportional to its resistance. Which statement expresses this correctly?

• A. The voltage drop across each component is independent of resistance
• B. The voltage drop across each component is proportional to its resistance
• C. The currents are different in each component
• D. The current is different from the source current

Answer: (B)

Voltage distribution in a series circuit follows V = I R, so with the same current flowing through every component, the voltage drop across each element scales with its resistance. In series, the current is identical through all components, so a higher resistance yields a larger voltage drop, and a lower resistance yields a smaller one. This is why the statement that the voltage drop is proportional to resistance is the correct one. Why the other ideas don’t fit: the voltage drop is not independent of resistance; it depends on both resistance and the current. The currents in a series circuit are not different from one component to another—they’re the same everywhere. The current through each component is the same as the source current, not different from it.

Voltage distribution in a series circuit follows V = I R, so with the same current flowing through every component, the voltage drop across each element scales with its resistance. In series, the current is identical through all components, so a higher resistance yields a larger voltage drop, and a lower resistance yields a smaller one. This is why the statement that the voltage drop is proportional to resistance is the correct one.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: the voltage drop is not independent of resistance; it depends on both resistance and the current. The currents in a series circuit are not different from one component to another—they’re the same everywhere. The current through each component is the same as the source current, not different from it.