NCEA Level 2 Physics Practice Exam

In a series circuit, the current behaves in such a way that it remains the same at all points throughout the circuit. This is due to the principle of conservation of charge, which states that electric charge cannot accumulate at a point in a conductor. As a result, regardless of the number of components (such as resistors, bulbs, or any other devices) connected in series, the amount of current flowing through each component is identical.

When components are connected in series, they follow a single path for the current to flow. This means that every electron that enters the series circuit must eventually pass through every component. Therefore, the current does not change; it is consistent as it travels through each element of the circuit. Since the potential difference across each component can differ depending on the resistance, the voltage may be different from one component to another, yet the current remains constant.

This uniformity in current makes series circuits particularly simple to analyze when understanding how voltage and resistance interact, as well as helping clarify concepts such as Ohm's Law.