When connecting components, what does it mean if they are connected in series?

When components are connected in series, it means that the current flows through each component in a sequential manner, one after the other. This arrangement is characteristic of a series circuit where the output of one component feeds directly into the next. As the current flows through each component successively, they all experience the same current, while the total voltage provided by the power source is divided among the components based on their individual resistance.

In this setup, if one component fails or is disconnected, the entire circuit is interrupted, leading to all components becoming inactive. This sequential flow is crucial in understanding how series circuits behave in terms of current, voltage, and overall circuit integrity.

While the other options mention aspects of circuit behavior (like sharing power or being connected to ground), they do not capture the defining characteristic of series connections, which is the linear progression of current through each component. Additionally, while voltage division is a result of components in series, the primary definition remains centered around the sequence of current flow.