What is one characteristic of series circuits?

In a series circuit, one of the defining characteristics is that all components share the same current. This occurs because the current has a single path to travel through, meaning the same amount of current flows through each component connected in the series. As a result, regardless of the resistance of individual components, they experience identical current levels.

This concept is fundamental in understanding how series circuits operate. For example, if a series circuit has a resistor, a lamp, and a switch, the same current that flows through the resistor also flows through the lamp and the switch, provided they are all part of the same path.

While voltage drops can vary across components depending on their resistances, the current itself does not divide among branches, which would be characteristic of parallel circuits. Moreover, since the total resistance of a series circuit is simply the sum of the individual resistances, it will always be greater than each individual resistance, rather than being less than the smallest resistor. This reinforces the idea that in series circuits, regardless of other factors, the current remains consistent throughout all components.