In a series circuit, if one component fails, what happens to the rest of the circuit?

In a series circuit, all components are connected in a single path for electric current to flow. This means that the current must pass through each component in the series in order to complete the circuit. If one component fails, such as a resistor blowing or a light bulb burning out, it creates an open circuit. Since there's no longer a complete path for the electric current to travel through, all components in the series cease to function.

Therefore, the entire circuit becomes inoperative until the failed component is replaced or repaired. This behavior is a fundamental property of series circuits that distinguishes them from parallel circuits, where a failure in one branch does not affect the operation of other branches. Understanding this principle is essential when analyzing circuit functionality and troubleshooting issues in electrical systems.