Electronics Basics: Follow a Series Path

Trace one path and use the same current through series parts.

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For ideal steady DC, two resistors in series carry the same current and their resistances add. Voltage drops across the resistors add to the source voltage. Ignore wire resistance and source internal resistance. Use diagrams and calculations only. Never use wall outlets, short batteries, open powered equipment or handle charged capacitors.

Worked example

A 6 V source with 100 ohms and 200 ohms in series gives total resistance 300 ohms. Current is 6/300 = 0.02 A = 20 mA. The voltage drops are 2 V and 4 V.

An ideal six-volt source drives 100 and 200 ohms in series. Total resistance is 300 ohms; current is 20 milliamps. The voltage drops are two and four volts.

Would you believe it?

Conventional current uses the direction positive charge would move. In metal wires, negatively charged electrons drift in the opposite direction.

OpenStax: electrical current

Question 1 What is the total series resistance? 20000 ohms 300 ohms 100 ohms

Question 2 What current flows through the 200-ohm resistor? 20 mA 10 mA 40 mA

Question 3 What voltage drops across 100 ohms at 0.02 A? 4 V 6 V 2 V

Question 4 What voltage drops across 200 ohms at 0.02 A? 12 V 4 V 2 V

Question 5 Is current used up as it passes the first resistor? No Yes, half is used up Yes, all is used up

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