What Is the Voltage Across a Resistor in a Parallel Circuit?

In summary, voltage affects the resistance in a circuit by increasing the flow of electrons, leading to an increase in resistance. When resistors are connected in series, the overall resistance increases, while connecting them in parallel decreases the overall resistance. The voltage can be different for each resistor in a parallel circuit, but in a series circuit, the voltage is the same for all resistors. Ohm's Law states that voltage is directly proportional to current and inversely proportional to resistance, meaning an increase in voltage results in an increase in current and a decrease in resistance leads to a decrease in current.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


A circuit with one 5V and 3 resistors in parallel. What is the voltage across one of the resistors?


Homework Equations


V=IR


The Attempt at a Solution


5/3 V??

or should i put
R1 = 5V/I -R2-R3 V

how do we get voltage across one of the resistors without being given current or current of each resistor?
 
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  • #2
If you have 3 resistors in parallel with a voltage source then the output of the voltage source is directly onto each of the 3 resistors.
 

FAQ: What Is the Voltage Across a Resistor in a Parallel Circuit?

How does voltage affect the resistance in a circuit?

Voltage is the measure of electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit. As voltage increases, the flow of electrons also increases, causing an increase in resistance. This is known as Ohm's Law: V=IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.

What happens to the overall resistance when resistors are connected in series?

When resistors are connected in series, the overall resistance increases. This is because the current must flow through each resistor in order, and each resistor adds its own resistance to the circuit. The total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of all individual resistances.

How does the resistance change when resistors are connected in parallel?

When resistors are connected in parallel, the overall resistance decreases. This is because the current has multiple paths to flow through, so the total resistance is less than the individual resistances. The total resistance in a parallel circuit is calculated using the formula: 1/Rtotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 ...

Can the voltage be different for each resistor in a circuit?

Yes, the voltage can be different for each resistor in a circuit, as long as they are connected in parallel. In a series circuit, the voltage is the same for all resistors, but in a parallel circuit, each resistor can have a different voltage drop depending on its individual resistance.

What is the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit?

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit is described by Ohm's Law: V=IR. This means that the voltage is directly proportional to the current and inversely proportional to the resistance. In other words, an increase in voltage will result in an increase in current, and an increase in resistance will result in a decrease in current.

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