What is a key characteristic of a series circuit?

A key characteristic of a series circuit is that it provides a single path for current flow through all the connected components or loads. In a series circuit, the electrical current flows in one continuous loop, meaning that each component is connected end-to-end. This configuration ensures that the same amount of current flows through each component, which is an essential feature of series circuits.

When one component in a series circuit fails or is disconnected, it breaks the circuit and stops the flow of electricity to all other components, demonstrating the dependency of each component within the same pathway. This characteristic contrasts with parallel circuits, which have multiple paths for current flow and allow for some components to operate independently of others.