In which type of circuit would you find that removing one component breaks the entire circuit?

In a series circuit, all components are connected end-to-end, creating a single path for the electric current to flow. When components are arranged in this manner, the circuit is dependent on every part being intact. If one component, such as a resistor or a light bulb, is removed or fails, it creates an open circuit, disrupting the flow of electricity throughout the entire circuit. This is why the entire circuit stops functioning when a single component is removed.

On the other hand, in a parallel circuit, components are connected across the same voltage source, meaning that each component has its own independent path for current. If one component is removed, the others can still remain operational, allowing current to continue flowing. A closed circuit refers simply to a complete path for current flow, which can exist in both series and parallel setups. A complex circuit could be a mix of both series and parallel components, but it’s still dependent on the arrangement of those components. Thus, the defining characteristic of a series circuit is its reliance on each component to maintain the overall circuit’s functionality.