In a parallel circuit, the amount of current that flows through each resistor is inversely proportional to the resistance value.

Study for the MindTap AC/DC Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Prepare to ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

In a parallel circuit, the amount of current that flows through each resistor is inversely proportional to the resistance value.

Explanation:
In a parallel circuit, each resistor has the same voltage across it, so Ohm’s law applies individually as I = V/R. Since the voltage is the same for every branch, the current through a branch is inversely proportional to that branch’s resistance: higher resistance means less current, lower resistance means more current. That’s why the quantity that varies inversely with current in this scenario is the resistance. The voltage across each resistor stays constant, while current shifts according to resistance; capacitance isn’t the controlling factor in this steady-state DC setup, and power relates to current and resistance via P = I^2R or P = VI, not the inverse relationship described.

In a parallel circuit, each resistor has the same voltage across it, so Ohm’s law applies individually as I = V/R. Since the voltage is the same for every branch, the current through a branch is inversely proportional to that branch’s resistance: higher resistance means less current, lower resistance means more current. That’s why the quantity that varies inversely with current in this scenario is the resistance. The voltage across each resistor stays constant, while current shifts according to resistance; capacitance isn’t the controlling factor in this steady-state DC setup, and power relates to current and resistance via P = I^2R or P = VI, not the inverse relationship described.

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