Voltage in a Series Circuit.
1. The voltage for each component depends on its resistance.
To calculate the voltages below,
we need to know the total
resistance of the circuit,
and the current
flowing through it.
2. The voltage across all of the components
adds up to the supply
voltage from the cell (or battery).
In energy terms, the work
done by the cell on each coulomb
of charge
equals the work done
on the components of the circuit.
Vsup = V1 + V2 + V3.
The supply voltage is divided (shared)
between the components.
If there is a change in the resistance
of one component
then the voltage across all
of the components will change.
If more cells (batteries)
are connected together in series
the total voltage is
the sum of the individual
voltages for each cell
(provided they are connected the right way round, plus
to minus).
If an identical cell is
placed in series with the original
cell
in the circuit above, then the voltage doubles.
However, two cells together provide
electricity for only
the same amount of time
as one cell before they both run out.
See also cells
in parallel.
Headings Series
Circuits Electricity Search Questions 
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