In a series circuit, what does an increase in total resistance indicate about the potential difference?

In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances. As the total resistance increases, the total current flowing through the circuit will decrease, assuming the applied voltage remains constant. This phenomenon is described by Ohm's Law, which states that the current (I) is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R): I = V / R.

As the total resistance increases, the same voltage is divided among the resistors in the circuit. Therefore, each individual resistor experiences a potential difference that corresponds to its resistance. If the total resistance is greater, then the potential difference across each individual resistor also decreases because there is less current available to maintain the same voltage drop across each resistor.

Thus, if one or more resistors are added to the circuit, leading to increased total resistance, the potential difference across the individual resistors decreases, reflecting the division of the total voltage across a larger amount of resistance. This understanding is crucial in circuit analysis and helps to predict how circuits will behave as their elements are changed or configured differently.