Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
R
1
R
2
+
-
R
3
R
5
R
4
FIGURE 10.13
Current in a series circuit.
the same current flows through each part of a series circuit can be verified by insert-
ing ammeters into the circuit at various points as shown in Figure 10.13, where each
meter indicates the same value of current.
Note:
In a series circuit, the same current flows in every part of the circuit. Do not
add the currents in each part of the circuit to obtain
I
.
s
eries
C
irCuit
v
oltage
The
voltage drop
across the resistor in the basic circuit is the total voltage across the
circuit and is equal to the applied voltage. The total voltage across a series circuit is
also equal to the applied voltage but consists of the sum of two or more individual
voltage drops. This statement can be proven by an examination of the circuit shown
in Figure 10.14. In this circuit, a source potential (
E
T
) of 30 volts is impressed across
a series circuit consisting of two 6-ohm resistors. The total resistance of the circuit
R
1
6 ohms
+
E
T
30 volts
-
R
2
6 ohms
FIGURE 10.14
Calculating total resistance in a series circuit.
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