In a parallel circuit, what happens to the total resistance as more resistors are added?

In a parallel circuit, when additional resistors are added, the total resistance decreases. This occurs because each new resistor provides an additional path for electric current to flow.

The total resistance in a parallel circuit can be calculated using the formula:

1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ...

This equation shows that the reciprocal of the total resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of each individual resistor. As more resistors are introduced into the circuit, their reciprocals add to the total, resulting in a smaller value for R_total.

Therefore, since the total resistance decreases with the addition of more resistors, adding resistors in parallel is an effective way to lower the total resistance of the circuit. This principle is important in many electrical applications where managing current flow is necessary.