Question

In a series circuit, the sum of the voltage drops is

applied voltage.
O greater than
O less than
O equal to
O unrelated to

Answer 1

In a series circuit, the sum of the voltage drops across all resistors is equal to the applied voltage, confirming the conservation of energy principle.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a series circuit, the sum of the voltage drops across each resistor is equal to the applied voltage from the power source. This is because the current through each resistor is the same, and therefore, according to Ohm's law (V = IR), the voltage drops across the resistors will add up to the total applied voltage. Additionally, energy conservation principles dictate that all the electric potential energy provided by the source must be accounted for in the energy dissipated across each component in the circuit.

The applied voltage, or total potential difference that the battery or power source supplies to the circuit distributes itself across the resistors in the series.

This distribution happens in such a way that the sum of potential drops, Vbattery = V₁ + V₂ + V₃ + ..., matches the total supplied voltage.

This relationship confirms the conservation of energy within the circuit.