Current in a series circuit with multiple sources oriented the same way

Current in a series circuit with multiple sources oriented the same way

• A. The current is the same through all elements
• B. The current varies through the circuit
• C. The current is zero
• D. The current equals the largest source value

Answer: (B)

In a series circuit, there is only one path for current, so the same amount of current flows through every element in that loop. When multiple voltage sources are in series and oriented the same way, their voltages add to give a larger total driving voltage. The current is determined by that total voltage divided by the total resistance in the loop: I = V_total / R_total. Because the loop carries a single current path, the current does not change from one component to another, it stays the same all around the circuit. The current isn’t zero unless the total driving voltage is zero or the circuit is open, and it isn’t dictated by the largest source alone.

In a series circuit, there is only one path for current, so the same amount of current flows through every element in that loop. When multiple voltage sources are in series and oriented the same way, their voltages add to give a larger total driving voltage. The current is determined by that total voltage divided by the total resistance in the loop: I = V_total / R_total. Because the loop carries a single current path, the current does not change from one component to another, it stays the same all around the circuit. The current isn’t zero unless the total driving voltage is zero or the circuit is open, and it isn’t dictated by the largest source alone.