In a parallel circuit with resistors 2 Ω, 4 Ω, and 6 Ω connected to a 9 V supply, which resistor carries the greatest current?

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Multiple Choice

In a parallel circuit with resistors 2 Ω, 4 Ω, and 6 Ω connected to a 9 V supply, which resistor carries the greatest current?

In a parallel circuit, each resistor has the same voltage across it, so the current through a resistor is I = V/R. With a 9 V supply, the resistor with the smallest resistance draws the most current. Specifically: 9 V / 2 Ω = 4.5 A for the 2 Ω resistor, 9 V / 4 Ω = 2.25 A for the 4 Ω resistor, and 9 V / 6 Ω = 1.5 A for the 6 Ω resistor. Therefore, the 2 Ω resistor carries the greatest current. The other resistors have smaller currents because their resistances are higher, and not all three carry the same current since they don’t share the same resistance.

In a parallel circuit, each resistor has the same voltage across it, so the current through a resistor is I = V/R. With a 9 V supply, the resistor with the smallest resistance draws the most current. Specifically: 9 V / 2 Ω = 4.5 A for the 2 Ω resistor, 9 V / 4 Ω = 2.25 A for the 4 Ω resistor, and 9 V / 6 Ω = 1.5 A for the 6 Ω resistor. Therefore, the 2 Ω resistor carries the greatest current. The other resistors have smaller currents because their resistances are higher, and not all three carry the same current since they don’t share the same resistance.

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