Series circuit means the connection of two or more parts are connected one after an other.
Rules in a series circuit
- Voltages in Series circuits add up: The sum of all voltage sources is equal to the sum of all voltage consumers. For example a 12 V Battery powers 8 equal lamps which are connected in series: The 8 lamps share the voltage in equal parts of 1.5 V each. When measuring voltage across more than one lamp the voltages add up.
- Current through all parts of the series circuit is equal at any point.
Voltage Divider
2 Resistors which are connected in series share the voltage according to their resistance values.
Java applet which allows to set different resistor values:
http://www.schule-bw.de/unterricht/faecher/physik/online_material/e_lehre_1/ohm/reihevirtuell.htm