In a series circuit with two lights, how many paths does current have to flow?

• A. Two
• B. One
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer: (B)

In a series circuit, current has only one path to flow through. This is fundamental to the behavior of series circuits, where components are connected end-to-end. When two lights are connected in series, the same electrical current flows through both lights sequentially. Since there’s only one route for the current to take—from the power source, through the first light, then to the second light, and back to the power source—the total number of paths for current flow is indeed one. When any component in a series circuit is interrupted, the entire circuit is affected, causing all components to turn off, further illustrating the singular path of current flow.