Resistance in Electrical Circuits

Four unequal resistors are connected in series with each other. Which one of the following statements is correct about this combination?

• The equivalent resistance is equal to that of any one of the resistors.

• The equivalent resistance is equal to average of the four resistances.

• The equivalent resistance is less than that of the smallest resistor.

• The equivalent resistance is less than that of the largest resistor.

• The equivalent resistance is more than the largest resistance.

Four unequal resistors are connected in a parallel with each other. Which one of the following statements is correct about this combination?

• The equivalent resistance is less than that of the smallest resistor.

• The equivalent resistance is equal to the average of the four resistances.

• The equivalent resistance is midway between the largest and smallest resistance.

• The equivalent resistance is more than the largest resistance.

• None of the other choices is correct.

Draw a circuit with a battery connected to four resistors, R1, R2, R3, and R4, as follows. Resistors R1 and R2 are connected in parallel with each other, resistors R3 and R4 are connected in parallel with each other, and both parallel sets of resistors are connected in series with each other across the battery.

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Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-3

When unequal resistors are connected in parallel in a circuit,

• the same current always runs through each resistor.

• the potential drop is always the same across each resistor.

• the largest resistance has the largest current through it.

• the power generated in each resistor is the same.

When unequal resistors are connected in series across an ideal battery,

• the same power is dissipated in each one.

• the potential difference across each is the same.

• the current flowing in each is the same.

• the equivalent resistance of the circuit is less than that of the smallest resistor.

• the equivalent resistance of the circuit is equal to the average of all the resistances.

The picture shows an electrical circuit. This circuit is a series circuit because: 

• It has 3 light bulbs.
• The same current flows through all three light bulbs.
• It uses a single battery.
• The electrical current is divided between the three light bulbs.

The total resistance in this circuit is 

• 100 ohms
• 450 ohms
• 400 ohms
• 30 ohms

The total current through this circuit is

• 0.02 amps
• 0.09 amps
• 50 amps
• 9 amps

As resistors are added in series to a circuit, the total resistance will...

• increase
• decrease
• stay the same

As the resistance of a circuit increases, the current will...

• increase
• decrease
• stay the same