How do you find the current in a series circuit?

You can find the current in a series circuit by using Ohm's Law, which states that current is equal to voltage divided by resistance: I = V/R. In a series circuit, the total resistance (equivalent resistance) is the sum of all individual resistances.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Steps to Calculate Current in a Series Circuit:

1. Determine the Total Voltage (V_T): Identify the voltage supplied by the power source in the circuit.

2. Calculate the Equivalent Resistance (R_eq): In a series circuit, the total resistance is simply the sum of all individual resistor values.

   • R<sub>eq</sub> = R<sub>1</sub> + R<sub>2</sub> + R<sub>3</sub> + ... + R<sub>n</sub>
   • Where R₁, R₂, R₃, ... R_n are the resistances of the individual resistors in the series circuit.

3. Apply Ohm's Law: Use the formula I = V/R, substituting the total voltage (V_T) and the equivalent resistance (R_eq) you calculated in the previous steps.

   • I = V<sub>T</sub> / R<sub>eq</sub>

4. The result, 'I', will be the current flowing through the entire series circuit. This is because, in a series circuit, the current is the same at every point.

Example:

Imagine a series circuit with a 12V battery and three resistors: R₁ = 2Ω, R₂ = 4Ω, and R₃ = 6Ω.

1. Total Voltage: V_T = 12V

2. Equivalent Resistance: R_eq = 2Ω + 4Ω + 6Ω = 12Ω

3. Apply Ohm's Law: I = 12V / 12Ω = 1A

Therefore, the current flowing through this series circuit is 1 Ampere.

Key Points about Series Circuits and Current:

• Current is Constant: The current is the same at all points within a series circuit. There are no branches for the current to split.
• Voltage Drops: The voltage drops across each resistor are not necessarily equal. The voltage drop across each resistor is proportional to its resistance (V = IR, where I is the current through the circuit).
• Ohm's Law is Crucial: Understanding and correctly applying Ohm's Law is essential for circuit analysis.