In a series circuit, how is the total current calculated?

In a series circuit, the total current is the same throughout all components because there is only one path for the current to flow. Therefore, the total current is equal to the current through each resistor. This is a fundamental characteristic of series circuits: no matter how many resistors are present, the same amount of current flows through each one.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings of series circuit properties. Calculating total current based on voltage across the circuit or as a sum of resistances would lead to incorrect values, as they do not take into account the specific characteristics of series connections. Similarly, summing the voltages across each resistor does not give the total current directly but rather gives voltage values, which relate to current through Ohm’s law.