In a series circuit, how does the total voltage compare to the individual voltages?

In a series circuit, the total voltage is indeed the sum of the individual voltages across each component. This principle is derived from Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, which states that the total voltage around a closed circuit must equal the sum of the voltages across each component in that circuit. When multiple components, such as resistors or light bulbs, are connected in series, the voltage drop across each component adds together to give the total voltage supplied by the source.

For example, if you have two resistors in series where one has a voltage drop of 3 volts and the other has a voltage drop of 2 volts, the total voltage supplied by the power source would be 3 volts + 2 volts = 5 volts. This characteristic of series circuits is fundamental in electrical engineering and is key to understanding how voltage is distributed within these circuits.