What does series circuit mean?

Definition

A circuit consists of any number of elements joined at terminal points and providing at least one path from which charge can flow is called Series Circuit. (source 1)

HERE'S SOME TERMINOLOGY OF CIRCUIT

Identification of series connection

• There will be one common terminal points between two elements which are in series.
• The common terminal between the two elements is not connected to any other components.

Suppose, a number of resistors are connected together in a circuit.

So, the resistors will be R1, R2, R3. And the circuit will be something like this.

With the help of the points of identification of series connection, we will determine whether the connection is in series or not.

According to the first point, these 3 resistors have a common terminal between two of them. So, there is a common terminal between R1, R2 and also R2, R3.

The common point between R1, R2 and R2, R3 are not shared by any third component.

So, By identifying the two points, we can say these 3 resistors are in series connection and the circuit is a series circuit.

Series connection is like tying small pieces of rope to make a long rope.

Measurement of Series circuit

The circuit above mentioned is a series circuit. And the resistance of that series circuit will be the sum of the total resistance of that circuit. Because in series connection the total resistance is equal to the sum of all individual resistance.  

So, if the total resistance is Rt and the sum of individual resistance is R1+R2+R3

Then, Rt= R1+R2+R3

And the current flow through the series circuit will be according to Ohm's law,

Series current = Voltage/ Total resistance

Or, Is = V / Rt

In a series circuit, the current is the same through the series element. Or in other words, the same current will flow through different series element while the voltage will be different for each series element.

Math QA

Here is an example of a series circuit

According to the circuit,

Here, R1= 3Ω, R2=4Ω, Rt= 14Ω, Voltage= 10V.

1.   What will be the resistance of R3?

2.    What will be current?

3.  What will be the voltage V1, V2, V3?

Solution:

Here, 

First element resistance, R1=3Ω

Second element resistance, R2=4Ω

Total resistance, Rt=14Ω

Voltage, V= 10V

1.     In a series circuit, we know,

Rt = R1+R2+R3

Or, R3 = Rt- (R1+R2)

Or, R3 =  (14-7) Ω

Or, R3 = 7Ω

2.    The current will be,

Is= V/Rt

Or, Is = (10/14) A

Or, Is = 0.714 A

3.   Voltage, V1 = Is x R1

      Or, V1 = (0 .714 x 3) V = 2.142 V

                  Voltage, V2 = Is x R2

                  Or, V2 = (0.714 x 4) V= 2.856 V

                  Voltage, V3 = Is x R3

                  Or, V3 =  (0.714 x 7) V= 4.998 V ≈ 5V

So the final circuit will be

SOME PRACTICE EXAMPLES OF SERIES CIRCUIT