Current in series circuits
You can investigate current flowing in a series circuit by connecting the following circuit.
Put one ammeter in position A1 and record the reading in a suitable table.
Then move the ammeter to position A2 and repeat and then to position A3.
Results
A1 = 0.8A.
A2 = 0.8A.
A3 = 0.8A.
Conclusion
The current in a series circuit is the same at all places in the circuit.
An electric current is a flow of charged particles.
The particles flow continually right round the circuit and through the cell – there is nowhere else for them to go.
So, the electric current is the same everywhere in a series circuit
Question
Look at the series circuit below - what is the reading at?
a) Position 1.
b) Position 2.
c) Position 3.
a) Position 1 = 0.1A.
b) Position 2 = 0.1A.
c) Position 3 = 0.1A.
Remember that the charge moves all the way around the circuit and so the current is the same everywhere in a series circuit.
