Question

You are to connect resistors R1 andR2, with R1 >R2, to a battery, first individually, then inseries, and then in parallel. Rank those arrangements according tothe amount of current through the battery, greatest first. (Useonly the symbols > or =, for exampleseries>R1=R2>parallel.)

Answer 1

Answer:

The current is more in the parallel combination than in the series combination.

Explanation:

two resistances, R1 and R2 are connected to a battery of voltage V.

When they are in series,

R = R1 + R2

In series combination, the current is same in both the resistors, and it is given by Ohm's law.

V = I (R1 + R2)

$I = \frac{V}{R_1 + R_2}$..... (1)

When they are connected in parallel.

the voltage is same in each resistor.

The effective resistance is R.

$R = \frac{R_1R_2}{R_1 + R_2}$

So, the current is

$I = \frac{V(R_1+R_2)}{R_1 R_2}$..... (2)

So, the current is more is the parallel combination.