Series Circuit Physics Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

medium
Three resistors (4 Ω4 \text{ } \Omega, 6 Ω6 \text{ } \Omega, 10 Ω10 \text{ } \Omega) are connected in series to a 20 V20 \text{ V} battery. What is the current and the voltage across each resistor?

Solution

  1. 1
    Total resistance: RT=4+6+10=20 ΩR_T = 4 + 6 + 10 = 20 \text{ } \Omega.
  2. 2
    Current (same through all): I=VRT=2020=1 AI = \frac{V}{R_T} = \frac{20}{20} = 1 \text{ A}
  3. 3
    Voltage drops: V1=IR1=4 VV_1 = IR_1 = 4 \text{ V}, V2=IR2=6 VV_2 = IR_2 = 6 \text{ V}, V3=IR3=10 VV_3 = IR_3 = 10 \text{ V}.
  4. 4
    Check: 4+6+10=20 V4 + 6 + 10 = 20 \text{ V} (matches battery voltage).

Answer

I=1 A;V1=4 V,V2=6 V,V3=10 VI = 1 \text{ A}; \quad V_1 = 4 \text{ V}, V_2 = 6 \text{ V}, V_3 = 10 \text{ V}
In a series circuit, current is the same through all components. Resistances add directly, and the battery voltage divides among the resistors proportionally to their resistances.

About Series Circuit

A circuit arrangement in which components are connected end-to-end along a single path, so exactly the same current flows through every component.

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Example 3 hard

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Example 4 medium

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