Components in a series circuit
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Summary
Components in a series circuit
In a nutshell
The greater amount of electricity that flows through an electrical component, the higher the performance of the electrical component. Having more components in a circuit means the electrical power has to be shared and the performance of each component will be less.
Performance of components
When electricity flows around a circuit, it passes through all of the circuit components. How much electricity flowing through a component will effect its performance.
Example
More electricity flowing through a bulb will make it brighter. More electricity flowing through a motor will make it spin faster.
The amount of electricity flowing through a component can be changed.
Using a more powerful battery
Using a more powerful battery means that more electricity will flow through the circuit. This will increase the performance of the electrical components in the circuit.
Using more batteries
If you use two batteries instead of one, then the amount of electricity going around the circuit will double. This will increase the performance of the electrical components in the circuit.
Example
A buzzer connect to two batteries will be louder than a buzzer connected to one battery.
Using more components
Adding more components to a circuit means that the electricity will have to share the electricity from the battery. Having more components will decrease the performance of the electrical components in the circuit.
Example
A circuit with just one bulb will be brighter than a circuit with two bulbs if they have the same battery.
Number of components | Diagram | Explanation |
| A series circuit diagram with two bulbs. |  | The two bulbs will have to share the electricity from the battery. |
| A series circuit diagram with one bulb. |  | The bulb in this circuit will be brighter than a series circuit with two bulbs as the bulb does not have to share electricity. |
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you have more than one battery in a circuit?
If you use two batteries instead of one, then the amount of electricity going around the circuit will double.
What happens if you add more electrical components in a circuit?
Having more components in a circuit means the electrical power has to be shared and the performance of each component will be less.
What happens if more electricity flows through a component?
The greater amount of electricity that flows through an electrical component, the higher the performance of the electrical component.