Series Connections
2. Resistors in a Row
Imagine stringing resistors together like beads on a necklace. This is essentially what a series circuit does. The current flows through each resistor sequentially, encountering resistance at every step. The total resistance is straightforward to calculate — simply add up the resistance values of each resistor.
So, to get to 110 ohms in series, you could use, for instance, two 55-ohm resistors (55 + 55 = 110). Alternatively, you could use a 100-ohm resistor and a 10-ohm resistor (100 + 10 = 110). Or, get really creative and use eleven 10-ohm resistors. The possibilities are virtually endless, just like my appetite for electrical puns! The beauty of series connections is their simplicity.
The formula for total resistance (Rtotal) in a series circuit is: Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + Rn, where R1, R2, R3, and so on, represent the individual resistance values.
Think of it as climbing stairs — each resistor adds to the total height you need to climb. The more resistors you add, the higher the total resistance becomes. That said, if one of the series is broken, the whole set won't work, and then you'd have to use something else to have an electrical flow through your circuit.
