Question

Let the resistance of an electrical component remain constant while the potential difference across the two ends of the component decreases to the half of it former value. What change will it occur in the current through it?

Answer 1

Answer:

The current through it will also decrease to half of its former value because according to Ohm's law the current flowing through a resistor is directly proportional to the potential difference applied across its ends provided that the temperature and some other necessary conditions remain constant.

This is mathematically represented as follows;

$V=IR.........(1)$

The current is thus given as

$I=\frac{V}{R}..............(2)$

if R is constant and V is reduced to half, then we have the following;

$I=\frac{V/2}{R}$

Simplifying further we obtain

$I=\frac{V}{2R}...........(3)$

Equation (3) shows that the current I is also reduced to half.

Answer 2

Answer:

The current will be decreased to half of it former value(I/2)

Explanation:

According to Ohm’s law  which states that the electrical current (I) flowing in an circuit is proportional to the voltage (V) and inversely proportional to the resistance (R).

V = IR

⇒ I=V/R ---------- (1)

Now Potential difference is decreased to half

∴ New potential difference Vʹ=V/2

Resistance remains constant

So the new current Iʹ = Vʹ/R

                          I¹  = (V/2)/R

                            I¹= (1/2) (V/R)

                           I¹ = (1/2) I = I/2

The current will be halved.