When loads are connected in series, their individual resistances are __________.

When loads are connected in series, their individual resistances are added together to determine the total resistance in the circuit. This is due to the nature of how current flows in a series circuit—there is only one path for the current to take, and it must pass through each resistor one after the other.

Mathematically, if you have multiple resistors connected in series, the total resistance (R_total) is the sum of all individual resistances (R1, R2, R3, etc.), expressed as R_total = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + Rn. This addition of resistances results in a higher total resistance than any of the individual resistances alone.

This concept is fundamental in understanding series circuits, as it affects how the total current is calculated using Ohm's Law. When the total resistance increases, for a given voltage, the current through the circuit decreases. This principle is crucial for designing and analyzing circuits in practical applications.