Final answer:
In a series circuit, adding more resistors increases total resistance and decreases current, while in a parallel circuit, equivalent resistance decreases and total current can increase. The potential difference remains constant across identical batteries, regardless of circuit configuration.
Therefore, the current in Circuit 1 is 1.0 A, in Circuit 2 is 0.5 A, and in Circuit 3 is 0.6 A. Comparing these values, we can see that Circuit 1 has the highest current.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining circuits with identical batteries and resistors, current, potential difference, and resistance can be analyzed to understand electrical behavior. In a series circuit, adding more resistors increases the total resistance, which decreases the current due to Ohm's law (V=IR), where V is potential difference, I is current, and R is resistance. Conversely, in a parallel circuit, adding more branches provides multiple paths for current to flow, so the equivalent resistance decreases, which can increase the total current drawn from the battery.
Regarding statements about the potential difference in different circuits, if we measure potential difference between two points in series or parallel circuits with identical batteries, potential difference remains constant across all resistors due to the way batteries distribute voltage in such circuits. Regarding the flow of current, the same current flows through all the resistors in series, but for parallel circuits, the current is divided among the branches and the highest current will flow through the branch with the lowest resistance, not necessarily the highest resistance.
For the equivalent resistance in different configurations, the resistance of a series circuit will always be higher than that of a parallel circuit made of the same resistors because in series, resistances simply add up, whereas in parallel, the inverse of the total resistance is the sum of the inverses of individual resistances.
Therefore, the current in Circuit 1 is 1.0 A, in Circuit 2 is 0.5 A, and in Circuit 3 is 0.6 A. Comparing these values, we can see that Circuit 1 has the highest current.