In a parallel circuit, increasing the number of identical resistors lowers the equivalent resistance.

In a parallel circuit, increasing the number of identical resistors lowers the equivalent resistance.

• A. Increases.
• B. Decreases.
• C. Stays the same.
• D. Doubles.

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, adding more paths for current increases the overall conductance of the network. For identical resistors, the equivalent resistance is the individual resistance divided by the number of resistors: Req = R/n. As you add more resistors (increase n), Req gets smaller. For example, one resistor gives Req = R, two identical resistors give Req = R/2, three give Req = R/3, and so on. This happens because each additional parallel path provides another route for current, effectively lowering the resistance seen by the source while the voltage across the network remains the same. Therefore, the equivalent resistance decreases.

In a parallel circuit, adding more paths for current increases the overall conductance of the network. For identical resistors, the equivalent resistance is the individual resistance divided by the number of resistors: Req = R/n. As you add more resistors (increase n), Req gets smaller. For example, one resistor gives Req = R, two identical resistors give Req = R/2, three give Req = R/3, and so on. This happens because each additional parallel path provides another route for current, effectively lowering the resistance seen by the source while the voltage across the network remains the same. Therefore, the equivalent resistance decreases.