Series Circuits
. If various objects are arranged to form a single conducting path between the terminals of a source of electric current, the objects are said to be connected in series. The electron current first passes from the negative terminal of the source into the first object, then flows through the other objects one after another, and finally returns to the positive terminal of the source. The current is the same throughout the circuit. In the example of the light bulb, the wires, bulb, switch, and fuse are connected in series. When objects are connected in series, the electric current flows through them against the resistance of the first object, then against the resistance of the next object, and so on. Therefore the total resistance to the current is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. If three objects with resistances are connected in series, their total resistance is . For example, if a motor with a resistance of 48 ohms is connected to the terminals of a current source by two...