Series Combination of Resistors
Two or more resistors are said to be connected in series, if same amount of electric current passes through all of them. However, each resistor will have a different voltage across it. If there's a break or problem with any resistor in a series connection, the whole circuit will be interrupted, causing it to turn off.
Figure : Resistors in series combination.
In the above series connection, the total resistance,
R total = R 1 + R 2 + ... + R n
The total resistance of the system is just the total sum of individual resistances.
EXAMPLE
Two resistors of resistances 100 Ω & 200 Ω are connected in series combination in a circuit. Find the total resistance due to this series combination.
Solution: Given, R 1 = 100 Ω & R 2 = 200 Ω.
For series combination,
R total = R 1 + R 2
R = (100 Ω) + (200 Ω)
R = 300 Ω
ie, the series combination of the 100 Ω & 200 Ω resistors gave total resistance of 300 Ω.