In a parallel circuit, adding another parallel path will cause the total resistance to:

In a parallel circuit, adding another parallel path will cause the total resistance to:

• A. Decrease
• B. Increase
• C. Remain the same
• D. Vary unpredictably

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, adding another path gives current more ways to flow, which lowers the overall resistance. The total resistance is found by R_eq = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + ...). Each new parallel path adds another reciprocal term to the sum in the denominator, making the whole fraction smaller. For example, two resistors in parallel with values 6 Ω and 3 Ω yield R_eq = 1 / (1/6 + 1/3) = 2 Ω, which is less than either resistor. So the total resistance decreases when you add a parallel path. It won’t stay the same or increase, and the result is predictable by the parallel resistance formula.

In a parallel circuit, adding another path gives current more ways to flow, which lowers the overall resistance. The total resistance is found by R_eq = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + ...). Each new parallel path adds another reciprocal term to the sum in the denominator, making the whole fraction smaller. For example, two resistors in parallel with values 6 Ω and 3 Ω yield R_eq = 1 / (1/6 + 1/3) = 2 Ω, which is less than either resistor. So the total resistance decreases when you add a parallel path. It won’t stay the same or increase, and the result is predictable by the parallel resistance formula.