What type of circuit has all components connected together in one loop?

A series circuit is characterized by all components connected in a single loop, meaning the electrical current flows through each component one after another. In this type of circuit, if one component fails or is removed, the entire circuit is broken and the current stops flowing. This setup ensures that the same current passes through every part of the circuit, which can influence the performance of the devices connected. For example, if you were to add more bulbs to a series circuit, each bulb might get dimmer because the same amount of current has to be shared among all of them.

In contrast, a parallel circuit is structured differently; it contains multiple paths for the current to flow, so that if one path is interrupted, the other paths can still function. A complex circuit usually consists of a combination of series and parallel components, making it more intricate than a simple series circuit. An open circuit refers to a circuit that is not complete, meaning no current can flow due to a break or interruption in the loop. Thus, the definition of a series circuit specifically highlights its unique characteristic of having all components in a single continuous loop.