How does adding a resistor to an electric circuit affect the current

Answer 1

Adding a resistor to an electric circuit affects the current in the following ways:

1. Decreased current: The presence of a resistor in a circuit creates resistance to the flow of electric current. This resistance restricts the flow of electrons, leading to a decreased current in the circuit.

2. Ohm's Law: According to Ohm's Law (V = IR), the current (I) flowing through a resistor is directly proportional to the voltage (V) applied across it, and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the resistor. Therefore, increasing the resistance will lower the current, assuming the voltage stays constant.

3. Voltage Drop: As current passes through a resistor, a voltage drop occurs across it. This means that some of the electrical energy is dissipated as heat and not all of it is transmitted to the rest of the circuit. The magnitude of the voltage drop across a resistor can be calculated using Ohm's Law (V = IR).

4. Power Dissipation: The addition of a resistor increases power dissipation in the circuit. Power (P) can be calculated using the equation P = IV, where I is the current and V is the voltage. As the current decreases due to the addition of a resistor, the power dissipated in the circuit also decreases.

Therefore, adding a resistor to an electric circuit decreases the current, increases voltage drop across the resistor, and increases power dissipation.