What is the resulting voltage if two identical resistors in series each have a resistance of 4 ohms and a total voltage of 12 volts is applied?

Study for the NCEA Level 2 Electricity Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions; each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

In this scenario, you have two identical resistors connected in series, each with a resistance of 4 ohms. When resistors are connected in series, the total resistance in the circuit is simply the sum of the individual resistances. Thus, the total resistance is:

Total resistance = 4 ohms + 4 ohms = 8 ohms.

According to Ohm's law, the total voltage across the entire circuit (in this case, 12 volts) is the voltage supply being applied to this equivalent resistance. When working with series circuits, the total voltage is distributed across the resistors.

Since the resistors are identical, they will each have the same voltage drop. To find the voltage across each resistor, you divide the total voltage by the number of resistors:

Voltage across each resistor = Total voltage / Number of resistors = 12 volts / 2 = 6 volts.

While the voltage across each individual resistor is 6 volts, the total voltage in the series circuit remains 12 volts, as this is the stated total voltage applied. Therefore, when looking for the resulting voltage when considering the entire circuit, 12 volts is indeed the total voltage present.

This reasoning confirms that the correct answer is 12

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