What happens to current in a parallel circuit as more resistors are added?

What happens to current in a parallel circuit as more resistors are added?

• A. Increases
• B. Decreases
• C. Remains constant
• D. Varies

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, when additional resistors are connected, the total resistance of the circuit decreases. This occurs because each new resistor provides an alternative pathway for the current to flow. Ohm's Law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance (I = V/R). With a constant voltage supply, a decrease in total resistance leads to an increase in total current. Each resistor added in parallel effectively divides the total current among all the available paths. As a result, while the current flowing through each individual resistor may be less due to the increased number of paths, the overall current flowing from the voltage source increases as more resistors are added. This characteristic is fundamental to understanding how parallel circuits operate and how they differ from series circuits, where current remains constant and total resistance increases with the addition of resistors.

In a parallel circuit, when additional resistors are connected, the total resistance of the circuit decreases. This occurs because each new resistor provides an alternative pathway for the current to flow. Ohm's Law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance (I = V/R). With a constant voltage supply, a decrease in total resistance leads to an increase in total current.

Each resistor added in parallel effectively divides the total current among all the available paths. As a result, while the current flowing through each individual resistor may be less due to the increased number of paths, the overall current flowing from the voltage source increases as more resistors are added. This characteristic is fundamental to understanding how parallel circuits operate and how they differ from series circuits, where current remains constant and total resistance increases with the addition of resistors.