What is the difference between series and parallel circuits?

In a series circuit, components are indeed connected end-to-end, meaning the current flows through one component to reach the next. This arrangement ensures that the same current flows through all components in the circuit. When one component fails or is removed, the entire circuit is interrupted and stops functioning because the pathway for the current is broken. This characteristic directly affects the behavior and troubleshooting of circuits.

The other options may reflect misunderstandings about circuit configurations. For instance, series circuits do not have branches, which is a defining feature of parallel circuits, rather than series ones. Efficiency comparisons are context-dependent and cannot be generalized as one being more efficient than the other; it generally depends on the application. Finally, while parallel circuits can contain resistors, they can also include various types of components, such as capacitors and inductors, thus broadening their usability in different applications.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for anyone working with electrical circuits, as it affects how circuits are designed, their behavior under fault conditions, and their response to changes in load.