Does a Parallel Resistor Affect Current in a Battery Circuit?

In summary, connecting a resistor parallel to a wire joining the terminals of a battery will result in some current flowing through the resistor due to the potential difference caused by the internal resistance of the battery and the resistance of the wire. Proper analysis of the circuit can help estimate the amount of current that will pass through the resistor.
  • #1
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If a resistor is connected parallel to a straight wire joining the two terminals of a battery, does any current pass through the resistor. Is there any current in the circuit?
 
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  • #2
You aren't supposed to connect the terminals of a battery with a wire!
If you do, there will be a lot of current.
The wire will have some resistance so, yes, there will be a potential across it and so some current will flow in the resistor.

The way to analyze this would be to show the battery as a voltage source in series with an internal resistance. Add the shorting wire as a small resistance and the resistor in parallel with it. If you can estimate the internal resistance and the resistance of the wire, you can solve the circuit to find the current in the resistor.
 
  • #3


Yes, a parallel resistor does affect the current in a battery circuit. When a resistor is connected in parallel to a straight wire, it creates an alternative path for the current to flow. This means that some of the current will pass through the resistor and some will pass through the straight wire. The total current in the circuit will be divided between the two paths based on their resistance values. So, there will be a decrease in the current passing through the straight wire and an increase in the current passing through the resistor. Therefore, the presence of a parallel resistor does affect the overall current in the circuit.
 

FAQ: Does a Parallel Resistor Affect Current in a Battery Circuit?

How does adding a parallel resistor affect the current in a battery circuit?

Adding a parallel resistor to a battery circuit will decrease the total resistance in the circuit, which in turn increases the current flowing through the circuit. This is due to the fact that the parallel resistor provides an additional pathway for the current to flow, resulting in a lower overall resistance in the circuit.

Does the type of parallel resistor used affect the current in a battery circuit?

Yes, the type of parallel resistor used can affect the current in a battery circuit. Different types of resistors have different levels of resistance, which will impact the overall resistance in the circuit and therefore affect the current. Additionally, the material and size of the resistor can also impact the current flow.

Can a parallel resistor increase the current in a battery circuit?

Yes, a parallel resistor can increase the current in a battery circuit. As mentioned before, adding a parallel resistor decreases the overall resistance in the circuit, which results in an increase in current flow. This can be useful in certain situations where a higher current is needed.

How does a parallel resistor affect the voltage in a battery circuit?

A parallel resistor has no effect on the voltage in a battery circuit. The voltage across each resistor in a parallel circuit remains the same as the voltage of the battery. However, the addition of a parallel resistor may cause the voltage across each individual resistor to differ, depending on their individual resistances.

Is it possible for a parallel resistor to decrease the current in a battery circuit?

Yes, it is possible for a parallel resistor to decrease the current in a battery circuit. This can happen if the parallel resistor has a higher resistance than the rest of the circuit, which would increase the overall resistance and decrease the current flow. However, in most cases, a parallel resistor will have a lower resistance than the rest of the circuit, resulting in an overall increase in current flow.

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