In a series circuit, if the load resistance increases, the current through all components will

In a series circuit, if the load resistance increases, the current through all components will

• A. Decrease
• B. Increase
• C. Stay the same
• D. Be unpredictable

Answer: (A)

In a series circuit, the same current flows through every component, and that current is set by the source voltage and the total resistance. According to Ohm’s law, I = V / R_total. If the load resistance goes up while the supply voltage stays the same, the total resistance increases, so the current decreases. Since the current is the same through all parts of a series circuit, this reduced current applies to every component. The voltage across each component will adjust (V_R = I × R), but the overall current is what drops when resistance rises.

In a series circuit, the same current flows through every component, and that current is set by the source voltage and the total resistance. According to Ohm’s law, I = V / R_total. If the load resistance goes up while the supply voltage stays the same, the total resistance increases, so the current decreases. Since the current is the same through all parts of a series circuit, this reduced current applies to every component. The voltage across each component will adjust (V_R = I × R), but the overall current is what drops when resistance rises.