WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Resistors in Series

​
voltage V in volts
3.75
resistance
R
1
in ohms
0.1
resistance
R
2
in ohms
0.1
close circuit
The current in a circuit can be calculated by using Ohm's law: voltage equals resistance times current. In symbols,
V=IR
. In this simple circuit, the two resistors are in series, so the effective resistance
R
tot
=
R
1
+
R
2
. The current is then
I=
V
R
1
+
R
2
. No current flows when the circuit is open.