The total potential difference (V) across a combination of resistors in series is equal to the sum of potential differences (V1, V2, V3) across the individual resistors. In series circuits, the potential differences add up, reflecting the additive nature of the voltage in this configuration.
How is the total potential difference across a combination of resistors in series related to the potential differences across individual resistors?
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In a series circuit, where resistors are connected end to end, the total potential difference (voltage) across the combination is equal to the sum of the potential differences across the individual resistors. This is known as the voltage law for series circuits.
Mathematically, if you have resistors R 1 ,R 2,R 3,…,R,n connected in series with potential differences V1, V2 ,V3,…,Vn respectively, the total potential difference Vtotal across the combination is given by:
V total = V1+V2+V3+…+Vn
This relationship arises from the fact that in a series circuit, the current passing through each resistor is the same, and the potential differences across individual resistors add up to the total potential difference. It’s important to note that in a series circuit, the current remains constant throughout, and this leads to the cumulative effect of potential differences across each resistor when connected in series.