Chapter 23.1, Problem 8PP

To determine

To Explain:Holiday lights are connected in series and use special lamps that short on increase in voltage. Also, the fuse blows after many bulbs fail.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

In a circuit, where all the bulbs are connected in series, the current in the circuit is same. The voltage across each resistor drops. The current in the circuit is equal to the voltage provided by the power source divided by the equivalent resistance of the circuit.

If the bulbs without shorting mechanism were used, then on burn of one bulb, the entire circuit would break. In case of failure of several bulbs, the resistance in the line decreases thereby increasing the current which is enough for the fuse to blow.