What happens to the total voltage in a series circuit?

In a series circuit, the total voltage provided by the source is distributed among all the components connected in the circuit. Each component, such as resistors or other devices, will drop a certain amount of voltage according to its resistance and characteristics. The sum of the individual voltage drops across each component will equal the total voltage supplied by the source.

This division of voltage occurs due to Ohm's Law, which states that the voltage across a component is equal to the current flowing through it multiplied by its resistance (V = I × R). Because the current remains the same throughout a series circuit, different resistances will result in different voltage drops. Therefore, the correct understanding is that the total voltage is indeed divided among the components.