How do you calculate the total current in a series DC circuit?

To calculate the total current in a series DC circuit, you simply add up the individual currents.

In a series DC circuit, the components are connected in a single loop, so the current is the same throughout the circuit. This means that the total current is simply the sum of the individual currents. To calculate the individual currents, you can use Ohm's Law (I = V/R), where I is the current, V is the voltage, and R is the resistance.

For example, if you have a circuit with three resistors in series, each with a resistance of 10 ohms, and a voltage of 12 volts, you can calculate the total current as follows:

- Calculate the total resistance: Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 = 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 ohms
- Use Ohm's Law to calculate the current through each resistor: I = V/R = 12/10 = 1.2 amps
- Since the current is the same throughout the circuit, the total current is simply the sum of the individual currents: Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3 = 1.2 + 1.2 + 1.2 = 3.6 amps

It's important to note that in a series circuit, the voltage is divided among the resistors, so the voltage drop across each resistor will be different. However, the current remains the same throughout the circuit.