How are components connected in a series circuit?

• A. All in parallel across the same two points.
• B. One after the other along a single path.
• C. Randomly placed with no path.
• D. Each component has its own independent path.

Answer: (B)

In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end along a single path for current. The same current flows through every component because there’s only one route for electrons to take. The total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances, so adding more components along that path increases the overall resistance. The voltage from the source is shared among the components, with each component dropping a portion of the total voltage proportional to its resistance (V = I·R for that component). If any part of the path opens or fails, the circuit is broken and current stops everywhere. This behavior distinguishes series from parallel, where components are connected across the same two points and the current can split while each component may experience the full source voltage.