Question

If we double the resistance in a circuit but keep the current in it constant, the power dissipated by that circuit will

a. be two times as great.
b. be one-half as great.
c. be one-fourth as great.
d. be four times as great.

Answer 1

Doubling the resistance in a circuit while keeping the current constant will result in the power dissipation being two times as great according to the formula P = I^2R.

Step-by-step explanation:

If we double the resistance in a circuit but keep the current constant, the power dissipated by that circuit will be two times as great. This can be understood by looking at the formula for power dissipation in resistors, which is P = I2R, where P is power, I is current, and R is resistance. Since the current remains constant and the resistance is doubled, the power dissipation indeed doubles because the resistance R is directly proportional to power P when current I is constant.