What happens to the current in a series circuit if one component fails?

In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end in a single path for current to flow. If one component fails—such as a light bulb burning out or a resistor breaking—the electrical path is broken at that point. This interruption means that there is no longer a complete circuit for current to travel through. As a result, the flow of current stops entirely for all components in the series. The current is dependent on a continuous path; if that path is disrupted by a failure in any single component, the entire circuit ceases to permit current flow.

This behavior contrasts with components arranged in parallel, where a failure in one component doesn't necessarily affect the current flowing through other components. In a series circuit, however, the dependency on a single pathway means that any break results in a complete stop of current flow in that circuit.