In a series circuit, how is the total voltage related to the drops across resistors?

In a series circuit, how is the total voltage related to the drops across resistors?

• A. Total voltage is equal to the product of all drops
• B. Total voltage equals the sum of all individual voltage drops
• C. Total voltage is independent of the drops
• D. Total voltage is zero

Answer: (B)

In a series circuit the same current flows through every component, so the supply voltage is distributed as voltage drops across each resistor. The total voltage equals the sum of those drops: V_total = V1 + V2 + ... + Vn. Each drop is V_i = I R_i, so the total drop is I(R1 + R2 + ... + Rn), which matches the source voltage. This is why the voltage adds up in series, not multiplies or behaves independently, and the total isn’t zero as long as a source supplies the circuit.

In a series circuit the same current flows through every component, so the supply voltage is distributed as voltage drops across each resistor. The total voltage equals the sum of those drops: V_total = V1 + V2 + ... + Vn. Each drop is V_i = I R_i, so the total drop is I(R1 + R2 + ... + Rn), which matches the source voltage. This is why the voltage adds up in series, not multiplies or behaves independently, and the total isn’t zero as long as a source supplies the circuit.