- #1
Kobayashi said:
In a series circuit, the total resistance is equal to the sum of all individual resistances. In a parallel circuit, the total resistance can be calculated using the formula 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... , where RT is the total resistance and R1, R2, R3, etc. are the individual resistances.
The unit of resistance is ohms (Ω), named after the German physicist Georg Ohm.
In general, as the temperature increases, the resistance of a material also increases. This is due to the fact that at higher temperatures, the atoms in the material vibrate more, causing more collisions with the electrons and increasing resistance. However, some materials, such as semiconductors, may have a decrease in resistance with an increase in temperature.
The longer the wire, the higher the resistance, as there is more material for the electrons to travel through. Similarly, the thinner the wire, the higher the resistance, as there is less space for the electrons to flow. This relationship is described by Ohm's Law, which states that resistance is directly proportional to length and inversely proportional to cross-sectional area.
In a series circuit, the resistances add up to create a larger total resistance. In a parallel circuit, the total resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance, as the current can split into multiple paths. Additionally, the total resistance in a parallel circuit will always be less than any individual resistance in the circuit.
