In a circuit, if the resistance is halved while the voltage remains constant, what happens to the current?

In a circuit, if the resistance is halved while the voltage remains constant, what happens to the current?

• A. It doubles
• B. It halves
• C. It remains the same
• D. It decreases

Answer: (A)

When resistance in a circuit is halved while the voltage remains constant, the current increases. According to Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R), the formula can be expressed as: I = V / R If the resistance is halved, the new resistance (let's say R' = R/2) changes the equation for current to: I' = V / (R/2) = (2V) / R This effectively means that the current has doubled because the same voltage is now divided by a smaller resistance. Therefore, when resistance decreases, current effectively increases as long as voltage does not change. This relationship is fundamental in understanding circuits, reinforcing that a lower resistance allows more current to flow for a given voltage. In this case, the other options do not align with this principle; halving resistance does not lead to halving or maintaining current, nor does it result in a decrease in current.

When resistance in a circuit is halved while the voltage remains constant, the current increases. According to Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R), the formula can be expressed as:

I = V / R

If the resistance is halved, the new resistance (let's say R' = R/2) changes the equation for current to:

I' = V / (R/2) = (2V) / R

This effectively means that the current has doubled because the same voltage is now divided by a smaller resistance. Therefore, when resistance decreases, current effectively increases as long as voltage does not change. This relationship is fundamental in understanding circuits, reinforcing that a lower resistance allows more current to flow for a given voltage.

In this case, the other options do not align with this principle; halving resistance does not lead to halving or maintaining current, nor does it result in a decrease in current.