Why same current flows through resistors in series?

[tasnim rahman]

If two or more resistors are connected in series, isn't the current through each resistor supposed to be different due to their different resistances? But this does not occur. Is this because, if the drift velocity of the electrons through the different resistors were different, then charge would tend to build up at certain points on the circuit, due to the differences in velocity. This is not physically possible and would also probably violate Kirchhoff's law.

Right?

 

[jtbell]

Is this because, if the drift velocity of the electrons through the different resistors were different, then charge would tend to build up at certain points on the circuit,

Yes.

 

[tasnim rahman]

Thank you very much.

 

[hasankamal007]

Current is indeed constant throughout the circuit. Think it this way-
Theres a lane(conductor) on which cars(electrons) are travelling. Lane is completely filled. If you put a speedbreaker anywhere, all the cars would eventually slow down due to the fact that the cars infront of each would slow down. So cars everywhere would have same "driftvelocity".
Cheers! :)

 

[sardar]

Yes, you are correct. According to Ohm's Law, the current flowing through a resistor is directly proportional to the voltage applied and inversely proportional to the resistance of the resistor. In series circuits, the same current flows through each resistor because the resistors are connected end-to-end, creating a single path for the current to flow through. This means that the voltage drop across each resistor is different based on their individual resistances, but the overall current remains the same.

If the drift velocity of the electrons were different in each resistor, it would cause a buildup of charge at certain points in the circuit, which would violate the principle of charge conservation. Additionally, this would also violate Kirchhoff's current law, which states that the sum of currents entering and exiting a node in a circuit must be equal.

In summary, the same current flows through resistors in series because they are connected in a single path and the voltage drop across each resistor is different based on their individual resistances. Any differences in electron drift velocity would violate fundamental principles of electricity and circuit analysis.