series circuit

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Electrical circuit in which the components are connected end to end, so that the current flows through them all one after the other.

Current in a series circuit
The current flowing through each of the components is the same. This can be written as I_T = I₁ = I₂, where I_T is the total current flow, I₁ is the current flowing through component 1, and I₂ is the current flowing through component 2. To measure the current flow an ammeter is connected to the components in series. For example, if the current at component 1 is 2 amps and at component 2 is 2 amps, then the total current is 2 amps.

Voltage in a series circuit
As the current flowing through each of the components is the same, the energy required (voltage) in moving this equal amount of current through each of the components is also the same. If V₁ is the voltage across component 1 and V₂ is the voltage across component 2, then the total voltage, V_T, is given by V_T = V₁ + V₂. The voltage can be measured across each component by connecting a voltmeter in parallel with the component. For example, if the voltage across component 1 is 3 volts and across component 2 is 3 volts, then the total voltage is 6 volts.

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