Parallel Resistance
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.3.8
Resistance
The combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than the resistance of either of the two resistors by themselves.
Like water draining through a bucket
- Consider a bucket full of water with a hole in the bottom:
- Water drains out of the bucket.
- If a second hole is drilled into the bucket the water (like adding another resistor in parallel) will drain faster.
- It does not matter how narrow the second hole is (how high its resistance is), it is always faster for water to flow through two holes instead of one.
Test yourself on Parallel Resistance
Which of the following combinations has the largest total resistance?
Which bucket will leak water faster?
Which of the following are true of resistance in parallel circuits?