When the resistance decreases, what happens to the current in the circuit?

When the resistance decreases, what happens to the current in the circuit?

• A. The current increases.
• B. The current decreases.
• C. It stays the same.
• D. It fluctuates randomly.

Answer: (A)

Think about how voltage, current, and resistance relate. With a fixed voltage source, current follows I = V / R. So when resistance goes down while the voltage stays the same, the quotient becomes larger and the current increases. For example, halving the resistance with the same voltage doubles the current (since current is inversely proportional to resistance). In real circuits, limits like the source’s internal resistance or fuses cap how high the current can go, but the trend stays that lowering resistance raises current.

Think about how voltage, current, and resistance relate. With a fixed voltage source, current follows I = V / R. So when resistance goes down while the voltage stays the same, the quotient becomes larger and the current increases. For example, halving the resistance with the same voltage doubles the current (since current is inversely proportional to resistance). In real circuits, limits like the source’s internal resistance or fuses cap how high the current can go, but the trend stays that lowering resistance raises current.