Series Circuit Analysis Practice

Is R1's current value bigger (>), smaller (<), or equal (=) to R2's Current value?

Note: Current is the number of electrons passing through the circuit. With a Series connection, it means that the path to take is only 1. Making the current in each component the same. 

• R1's current value is bigger than R2's current value.

• R1's current value is smaller than R2's current value.

• R1's current value is equal to R2's current value.

Answer explanation

Since there is only 1 Path when components are in series, it means that R1's current value is the same or equal with R2's current value.

Is R2's current value bigger (>), smaller (<), or equal (=) to R3's Current value?

Note: Current is the number of electrons passing through the circuit. With a Series connection, it means that the path to take is only 1. Making the current in each component the same. 

• R2's current value is bigger than R3's current value.

• R2's current value is smaller than R3's current value.

• R2's current value is equal to R3's current value.

Answer explanation

The same concept or ruling applies since both are series! Since there is only 1 Path when components are in series, it means that their current values are the same. .

Is R3's current value bigger (>), smaller (<), or equal (=) to R1's Current value?

Note: Current is the number of electrons passing through the circuit. With a Series connection, it means that the path to take is only 1. Making the current in each component the same. 

• R3's current value is bigger than R1's current value.

• R3's current value is smaller than R1's current value.

• R3's current value is equal to R1's current value.

Answer explanation

Even though R1 and R3 are not directly in series, if you trace the path of where the electrons flow. The number of electrons flowing goes in 1 path. Thus they have the same current values.

Is R1's voltage drop bigger (>), smaller (<), or equal (=) to R2's voltage drop?

Note: With a Series connection, the voltage supplied at the beginning is divided accordingly based on the resistance value of the component. If the resistance value is high then it would receive a high voltage. If the resistance value is low, then it would receive a low voltage. 

• R1's voltage drop is bigger than R2's voltage drop.

• R1's voltage drop is smaller than R2's voltage drop.

• R1's voltage drop is equal to R2's voltage drop.

Answer explanation

R2's resistance value is 1.8k ohms while R1 is only 1.2k ohms. Therefore R2 needs more energy coming from the source.

Is R3's voltage drop bigger (>), smaller (<), or equal (=) to R2's voltage drop?

Note: With a Series connection, the voltage supplied at the beginning is divided accordingly based on the resistance value of the component. If the resistance value is high then it would receive a high voltage. If the resistance value is low, then it would receive a low voltage. 

• R3's voltage drop is bigger than R2's voltage drop.

• R3's voltage drop is smaller than R2's voltage drop.

• R3's voltage drop is equal to R2's voltage drop.

Answer explanation

R2's resistance value is 1.8k ohms while R3 is 2.2k ohms. Series Connection Ruling states "If the resistance value is high then it would receive a high voltage. If the resistance value is low, then it would receive a low voltage."

Therefore, R3 needs more energy coming from the source.

Is R1's voltage drop bigger (>), smaller (<), or equal (=) to R3's voltage drop?

Note: With a Series connection, the voltage supplied at the beginning is divided accordingly based on the resistance value of the component. If the resistance value is high then it would receive a high voltage. If the resistance value is low, then it would receive a low voltage.

• R1's voltage drop is bigger than R3's voltage drop.

• R1's voltage drop is smaller than R3's voltage drop.

• R1's voltage drop is equal to R3's voltage drop.

Answer explanation

R1's resistance value is 1.2k ohms while R3 is 2.2k ohms. Series Connection Ruling states "If the resistance value is high then it would receive a high voltage. If the resistance value is low, then it would receive a low voltage."

Therefore, R3 needs more energy coming from the source.