In a parallel circuit, the current through any resistor is related to the resistor's value by which relationship?

In a parallel circuit, the current through any resistor is related to the resistor's value by which relationship?

• A. added
• B. directly proportional
• C. equal
• D. inversely proportional

Answer: (D)

In a parallel circuit, all resistors have the same voltage across them, so the current through a resistor follows Ohm’s law: I = V/R. With a fixed voltage across the branch, the current is inversely proportional to the resistor’s value. That means increasing resistance lowers the current, while decreasing resistance raises the current. For example, at 12 V, a 6 Ω resistor draws 2 A, whereas a 3 Ω resistor draws 4 A. This inverse relationship is why the current through each resistor in a parallel network depends on its resistance by the factor 1/R.

In a parallel circuit, all resistors have the same voltage across them, so the current through a resistor follows Ohm’s law: I = V/R. With a fixed voltage across the branch, the current is inversely proportional to the resistor’s value. That means increasing resistance lowers the current, while decreasing resistance raises the current. For example, at 12 V, a 6 Ω resistor draws 2 A, whereas a 3 Ω resistor draws 4 A. This inverse relationship is why the current through each resistor in a parallel network depends on its resistance by the factor 1/R.