In a series circuit, the current is the same through all components, regardless of the internal resistance

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the load is purely resistive
• D. It depends on the number of sources

Answer: (A)

In a series circuit there is only one path for current, so the same amount of charge per unit time flows through every component. That means the current is the same throughout the loop, regardless of each component’s resistance. The individual resistances (including any internal resistance of sources) change the total resistance and thus the overall current via I = V_total / R_total, but they don’t cause different parts of the loop to carry different currents. Whether the loads are purely resistive or include reactive elements, the current through each element remains equal in a series arrangement. Adding more sources changes the total voltage, not the fact that the current is the same through all components.