In a series circuit with resistors R1, R2, and R3 each rated at 20 ohms and an applied voltage of 180 volts, what is the current in amperes through R2?

To determine the current flowing through R2 in a series circuit, it's essential to first understand how a series circuit operates. In a series circuit, the same current flows through each resistor. Thus, to find the current, we need to calculate the total resistance in the circuit and then apply Ohm's Law.

Here, R1, R2, and R3 are each rated at 20 ohms. When resistors are connected in series, their resistances add together. Therefore, the total resistance (R_total) can be calculated as follows:

R_total = R1 + R2 + R3 = 20 ohms + 20 ohms + 20 ohms = 60 ohms.

Next, with an applied voltage (V) of 180 volts, we can use Ohm's Law, which states that V = I x R, where V is the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance.

Rearranging this formula to find the current (I) gives us:

I = V / R_total.

Now substituting the known values:

I = 180 volts / 60 ohms = 3 amperes.

This indicates that the current flowing through each resistor, including R2,