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Series connection

When components are connected in series, the same current flows through all of them, while the voltage is shared between them. The total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances, so it always increases when you add more resistors in series.

R_{series} = R_1 + R_2 + \dots

total resistance in series

U = U_1 + U_2 + \dots

the voltage is shared

Symbols

$R_{series}$	total resistance	$\Omega$
$I$	same current through all	A

Example

Two resistors $R_1 = 5.0$ Ω and $R_2 = 7.0$ Ω are in series. The total resistance is $R = 5.0 + 7.0 = 12.0$ Ω.

In a series connection the current is the same everywhere – find it first, then compute each voltage with

U_i = R_iI

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Part of Foundations of Physics: Electricity.