Question Video: Calculating the Total emf of Identical Cells Connected in Series Science • Third Year of Preparatory School

Video Transcript

The diagram shows four identical cells connected in series. What is the total emf provided by the cells?

In this question, we are shown four identical cells connected in series. We know that when components are connected in series, there is only one path that an electric current can take through the components. The cells are connected in series, so the single path that current can take must pass through all of the cells. This means that the potential difference between the ends of the path must be increased by each cell on the path.

Looking at our circuit diagram, we have four identical cells, where each cell produces an emf of six volts. We can calculate the total emf produced by summing the emfs of each of the cells, which equals 24 volts. So the total emf produced by four six-volt cells connected in series is 24 volts.