In a series circuit, what component is additive?

In a series circuit, the component that is additive is resistance. When multiple resistors are connected in series, the total resistance in the circuit increases by the sum of the individual resistances. This relationship can be understood through Ohm's Law and the rules governing series circuits: the total resistance (R_total) is calculated by simply adding the resistance values of each component together (R_total = R1 + R2 + R3, etc.).

Voltage and current behave differently in series circuits. The total voltage across the series circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component, while the current flowing through the circuit remains constant throughout all components. Power, while it is ultimately a function of both voltage and current, does not directly sum up across components in a straightforward additive way like resistance does.

Understanding these principles is crucial for effectively troubleshooting and designing circuits, as resistance impacts how the entire circuit behaves under load.