โก Understanding electricity can feel a bit tricky at first, but once you get the basics down, it’s actually pretty simple. One of those basics is learning how to calculate current in a series circuit. Letโs break it down step by stepโno jargon, no stress!
Table of Contents
๐ What is a Series Circuit?
A series circuit is a type of electrical circuit where all components (like resistors, light bulbs, or batteries) are connected one after another in a single path. That means the current has only one route to take.
๐ก Important Thing to Know: Current is the Same Everywhere
In a series circuit, the current (I) is the same at every point in the circuit. Whether youโre measuring before or after a light bulb, the current is identical. Thatโs super helpful when you’re doing calculations!
๐งฎ Step 1: Know the Formula โ Ohmโs Law
The formula youโll use is:
I = V / R
Where:
- I is the current (in amps, A) โก
- V is the total voltage from the power source (in volts, V) ๐
- R is the total resistance (in ohms, ฮฉ) ๐
โ Step 2: Add Up the Resistance
In a series circuit, total resistance is just the sum of all resistors:
Rโ = Rโ + Rโ + Rโ + …
Example:
If you have three resistors with 2ฮฉ, 4ฮฉ, and 6ฮฉ:
Rโ = 2 + 4 + 6 = 12ฮฉ
๐ Step 3: Plug into the Formula
Letโs say the battery provides 12 volts. Using the resistance from above:
I = 12V / 12ฮฉ = 1A
So, the current flowing through the circuit is 1 ampere! โ
โ๏ธ Series Circuit Current Calculator
Use the tool below to calculate the total current in a circuit consisting of any number of resistors in series. Enter the values of resistance separated by commas.
๐งพ Summary: Quick Checklist
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Add up all the resistances
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Use the total voltage from the source
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Plug into I = V / R
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Done! Thatโs your current