In a parallel circuit, total resistance changes when more components are added?

In a parallel circuit, total resistance changes when more components are added?

• A. Oscillates
• B. Increases
• C. Decreases
• D. Stays same

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, adding more paths for current changes the total resistance because conductance adds in parallel. The equivalent resistance follows 1/R_eq = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + …; adding another branch adds another term, making 1/R_eq larger and thus R_eq smaller. If the resistors are the same, R_eq = R/n, so doubling the number of parallel paths halves the total resistance. With a fixed voltage, that lower resistance means more current flows (I = V/R_eq). So the total resistance decreases as you add more components in parallel. This also isn’t affected unless you add an open (infinite resistance) or a short (zero resistance) path, which are special cases.

In a parallel circuit, adding more paths for current changes the total resistance because conductance adds in parallel. The equivalent resistance follows 1/R_eq = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + …; adding another branch adds another term, making 1/R_eq larger and thus R_eq smaller. If the resistors are the same, R_eq = R/n, so doubling the number of parallel paths halves the total resistance. With a fixed voltage, that lower resistance means more current flows (I = V/R_eq). So the total resistance decreases as you add more components in parallel. This also isn’t affected unless you add an open (infinite resistance) or a short (zero resistance) path, which are special cases.