Question

As more and more resistors are added in parallel to a circuit, the equivalent resistance of the circuit ____________ (increases, decreases) and the total current of the circuit ____________ (increases, decreases).

Answer 1

Answer:

Decreases, Increases

Explanation:

Resistance is parallel can be calculated using

1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +....

Then, as more resistor is added in parallel the equivalent resistance is reduced.  

Let use a simple sample

Let all the resistor have equal resistances

Let say R = R1 = R2 = R3 =...Rn

Then, 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +....

1/Req = 1/R + 1/R + 1/R +.... 1/Rn

Req = R/n

Check attachment on how I got that.

This implies that, the equivalent resistance will always be less than the original resistance, since n>1

So, as n increases (I.e. as the number of resistance increases), the equivalent resistance reduces.

B. Now, to know if the current reduces or increases

Using Ohms law

V = iR

Then, I = V/R

So, let assume the voltage is constant, then, the current is inversely proportional to the resistance, so as we know that the resistance is reducing, then the current will be increasing.

So current increase as we add more resistor in parallel to a circuit