DC Fundamentals Unit 7 – Series Resistive Circuits
Exercise 3 – Voltage in a Series Resistive Circuit ....................................................................
EXERCISE OBJECTIVE
When you have completed this exercise, you will be able to determine the voltage in a series
resistive circuit by using a formula. You will verify your results with a multimeter.
EXERCISE DISCUSSION
- Current flowing through a resistor generates a voltage drop across the resistor.
- The voltage drop can be found using Ohm’s law when current and resistance are known.
- Voltage drops are symbolized by VRn, where Rn identifies the specific resistor.
- In a series circuit, the sum of all the voltage drops equals the applied voltage. Mathematically
this is represented by this equation; VA = VR1 + VR2 + ... VRn - A reference point must be established when measuring voltage drop.