What is the primary characteristic of a series circuit?

In a series circuit, the primary characteristic is that the current remains constant across each component. This means that the same amount of electric charge flows through each part of the circuit without any variation. The series arrangement ensures that there is only one path for the current to follow; therefore, every component experiences the same current flow.

This characteristic is crucial for understanding how series circuits operate, particularly in applications where specific current levels are necessary for each component to function properly. The consistency of current is an important factor in calculating circuit behavior, such as total resistance and voltage drops across individual components.

The other characteristics associated with series circuits, while also relevant, do not define the primary behavior in the same way. For example, while resistance does add up, it does not define current flow. Voltage, on the other hand, varies across components based on their resistance, leading to different voltage drops. Power dissipation also varies according to the voltage and current of individual components, not remaining equal throughout the circuit.