In a series circuit, if one component (like a bulb) burns out, what happens to the rest of the circuit?

In a SERIES CIRCUIT, if one component burns out, the ENTIRE circuit stops working because there's only ONE path for current — breaking it anywhere stops all flow (like old Christmas lights where one bad bulb killed the whole string). ASVAB Electronics Information tests circuit types. SERIES: components in a single path; same current through all; if one breaks, all stop. PARALLEL: multiple paths; if one branch breaks, others keep working (like household wiring). Knowing that a break anywhere in a series circuit stops everything (vs parallel) is commonly tested.