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.