The total resistance in a 120 V circuit in series with three 10 Ω resistors is ____.

Get ready for the NCCER Introduction to Electrical Circuits exam. Study with multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

The total resistance in a 120 V circuit in series with three 10 Ω resistors is ____.

Explanation:
In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of all resistors. With three resistors of 10 Ω each in series, you add them up: 10 Ω + 10 Ω + 10 Ω = 30 Ω. The 120 V source helps you find the current once you know the total resistance (I = V/R), which would be 120 V / 30 Ω = 4 A, but the question asks for the total resistance, which is 30 Ω. If you tried to get 120 Ω, or 3 Ω, or 10 Ω, you’d be contradicting the fact that resistors in series add together; in this setup the total cannot exceed 30 Ω or be less than 10 Ω.

In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of all resistors. With three resistors of 10 Ω each in series, you add them up: 10 Ω + 10 Ω + 10 Ω = 30 Ω. The 120 V source helps you find the current once you know the total resistance (I = V/R), which would be 120 V / 30 Ω = 4 A, but the question asks for the total resistance, which is 30 Ω. If you tried to get 120 Ω, or 3 Ω, or 10 Ω, you’d be contradicting the fact that resistors in series add together; in this setup the total cannot exceed 30 Ω or be less than 10 Ω.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy