How do you calculate voltage drop in a series DC circuit?

To calculate voltage drop in a series DC circuit, use Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Voltage Law.

Ohm's Law states that voltage (V) equals current (I) multiplied by resistance (R), or V = IR. In a series circuit, the total resistance (RT) is the sum of all individual resistances (R1, R2, R3, etc.). Therefore, the current (I) is the same throughout the circuit.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law states that the sum of all voltage drops in a closed loop is equal to the voltage supplied by the source. In a series circuit, the voltage drop across each resistor (VR1, VR2, VR3, etc.) adds up to the total voltage supplied by the source (VS).

To calculate the voltage drop across a specific resistor, use Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Voltage Law. For example, to find the voltage drop across resistor R2, first find the total current (I) using Ohm's Law and the total resistance (RT). Then, use Kirchhoff's Voltage Law to find the voltage drop across R1 and R3. Finally, subtract the voltage drops across R1 and R3 from the total voltage supplied by the source (VS) to find the voltage drop across R2.

In summary, to calculate voltage drop in a series DC circuit, use Ohm's Law to find the total current and Kirchhoff's Voltage Law to find the voltage drops across each resistor.