In a series circuit, how is voltage distributed across components?

• A. Voltage is the same across all components
• B. Voltage increases with each component
• C. Voltage is divided among components along the single path
• D. Voltage is zero for all components

Answer: (C)

In a series circuit, the same current flows through every component and the voltages drop across each component add up to the total supply voltage. Because the current is the same through all parts, each component takes a portion of the total voltage proportional to its resistance: V = I × R for each component. The larger the resistance, the larger the share of voltage it drops. The sum of all these drops equals the battery voltage. This is why voltage is divided among components along the single path.

For example, two resistors in series with a 10 V source will have V1 = I×R1 and V2 = I×R2, with I the same for both. If R1 is bigger than R2, the voltage drop across the first resistor is larger, but together they still total 10 V. This idea contrasts with a parallel setup, where each branch can experience the full source voltage, and with situations where there’s no voltage drop at all due to an open circuit or no power.