Three identical voltage sources in series with the same polarity: total applied voltage is

Three identical voltage sources in series with the same polarity: total applied voltage is

• A. The magnitude of one source
• B. Three times the magnitude
• C. The average of the three sources
• D. Zero

Answer: (B)

In a series arrangement, voltages add together, and the sign depends on polarity. If three identical sources all share the same polarity, each contributes the same voltage V in the same direction, so the total is V + V + V = 3V. The other options don’t fit because taking just one source’s magnitude ignores the other two, averaging would give V, and cancellation would require opposing polarities—which isn’t the case here.

In a series arrangement, voltages add together, and the sign depends on polarity. If three identical sources all share the same polarity, each contributes the same voltage V in the same direction, so the total is V + V + V = 3V. The other options don’t fit because taking just one source’s magnitude ignores the other two, averaging would give V, and cancellation would require opposing polarities—which isn’t the case here.