How is the total power consumed in a series circuit calculated?

The total power consumed in a series circuit is accurately calculated as the sum of the power used by individual resistances. In a series circuit, the same current flows through each resistor, and therefore, the power consumed by each resistor can be calculated individually using the formula ( P = I^2R ), where ( I ) is the current flowing through the resistor and ( R ) is the resistance.

To find the total power, you need to add the power consumed by each resistor together, which gives you the cumulative power used in the circuit. This approach reflects how load sharing occurs in a series setup, where the total voltage is divided among the various components.

In contrast, multiplying total voltage by current will provide you with a figure that represents the overall power availability, not the actual power consumed by the resistors. Taking an average of individual powers does not accurately depict the actual consumption because power in a series circuit needs to reflect the contributions of each load. Additionally, considering only the largest power consumed would overlook the contributions from other resistors, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the total power in the circuit. Thus, summing the power across all resistances gives a complete and accurate assessment of power consumed in a series circuit.