If the resistance quadruples while the voltage remains constant, what happens to the current?

Get ready for the NCCER Introduction to Electrical Circuits exam. Study with multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

If the resistance quadruples while the voltage remains constant, what happens to the current?

Explanation:
Current follows Ohm's law: I = V/R. If the voltage stays the same and resistance increases, the current falls in inverse proportion. Quadrupling the resistance makes I' = V/(4R) = (1/4) I. So the current drops to a quarter of its original level. The reason is the same voltage now faces four times more opposition, so fewer charges pass per second. If resistance had doubled, current would be halved; tripling would reduce current to one third. The key point is that current changes inversely with resistance when voltage is fixed.

Current follows Ohm's law: I = V/R. If the voltage stays the same and resistance increases, the current falls in inverse proportion. Quadrupling the resistance makes I' = V/(4R) = (1/4) I. So the current drops to a quarter of its original level. The reason is the same voltage now faces four times more opposition, so fewer charges pass per second. If resistance had doubled, current would be halved; tripling would reduce current to one third. The key point is that current changes inversely with resistance when voltage is fixed.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy