Series Circuits
2. How Series Circuits Work
Alright, let's tackle series circuits first. In a series circuit, components are connected one after another, like links in a chain. Picture Christmas lights where if one bulb goes out, they all go out — that's a series circuit in action (and a major holiday headache!). The same current flows through each component in the series, but the voltage is divided among them.
Now, here's the key part: When you connect voltage sources (like batteries) in series, the total voltage increases. It's like adding the "water pressure" from each battery together. If you have three 1.5-volt batteries connected in series, the total voltage is 1.5 + 1.5 + 1.5 = 4.5 volts. Pretty neat, huh?
Why does this happen? Well, each battery essentially adds its electrical potential to the circuit. The electrons have to "climb" the voltage hill of each battery in sequence, resulting in a higher overall voltage "push." Think of it as each battery giving the electrons an extra shove.
So, to recap: series circuits are all about summing up those voltages. This is frequently used to create higher voltage sources for devices that need a bit more power. But remember, while the voltage goes up, the current remains the same through each component. Thats a critical difference between series and parallel.
