Question

State whether the given statement is true or false:
A series circuit acts as a current divider.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: First, understand what is meant by a series circuit. When only one of the terminals of two components are connected together we say that the two components are in series connection. The same amount of current flows in both the components.

Complete answer:
The above given statement is false. In a closed series circuit, the current remains constant and undivided throughout, while the voltage gets divided. The sum of all the voltage drops around a single closed circuit is zero.

Hence, the correct option is B.

Additional information:
A current divider circuit has two or more parallel circuits in which the current divides into those parallel paths. It is to be mentioned here that all of those parallel circuits share the same two end nodes and their terminals are connected together. In such a circuit, the voltage remains constant in all of those parallel branches. A voltage divider circuit on the other hand, is a linear circuit consisting of series combinations. So, the current remains constant throughout the circuit, while the voltage gets divided.

Note: The current in any two components of the circuit is the same, then this does not mean that the two components are in series connection. This is because two components (say two resistances) connected in parallel connection can have the same current flowing through them, if the values of the two resistances are the same. Remember that when the circuit has parallel connections, it behaves as a current divide and when it has series connections, it behaves as a voltage divider.