Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Resistors in series are two or more resistors connected end-to-end, so that the same current flows through each resistor. The total resistance of resistors in series is equal to the sum of their individual resistances.
Equivalent resistance is the single resistance value that can replace multiple resistors connected in series without changing the overall behavior of the circuit.
Voltage Divider Rule: The voltage divider rule states that the voltage across each resistor in a series circuit is proportional to its resistance value.
Kirchhoff's Laws: Kirchhoff's Laws are fundamental principles used to analyze electrical circuits. They include Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) and Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), which help determine voltages and currents at different points within a circuit.