Exam-style question
Try this first
In a series circuit, how do you calculate the total resistance?.
- A.R_total = R1 + R2 + R3
- B.R_total = 1/(1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3)
- C.R_total = R1 - R2 - R3
- D.R_total = R1 x R2 x R3
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- R_total = R1 + R2 + R3.
Explanation
Why this works
In a series circuit, the total resistance (R_total) is calculated by simply adding the individual resistances together. This can be expressed as R_total = R1 + R2 + R3.
Therefore, the correct option is that R_total equals the sum of the individual resistances.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.