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If R1 < R2 < R3, and if these resistors are connected in parallel in a circuit, which one has the highest current?

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According to Ohm's Law, the current I circulating through a resistor with resistance R connected to a voltage V is given by:


I=(V)/(R)

When an array of resistors is connected in parallel, the voltage through each of them is the same. Then, for a fixed voltage, the current will be greater if the resistance is smaller. We can conclude this from the fact that R appears in the denominator of the expresion: If R grows, the quotient becomes smaller. Similarly, a smaller value of R will result in a greater value for the quotient V/R.

Then, the highest current will flow through the resistor with the smaller resistance. Since R1

Therefore, R1 has the highest current.

User Palmer Dabbelt
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