Question

You are to connect resistors R1 and R2, with R1 > R2, to a battery, first individually, then in series, and then in parallel. Rank those arrangements according to the amount of current through the battery, greatest first. (Use only the symbols > or =, for example series > R1 = R2 > parallel.)

Answer 1

Answer:

In order of more current drawn from the source:

parallel > R2 > R1 > series.

Explanation:

We have two possible ways of combining resistor, in series or in parallel. In series the same current goes through both of them and its equivalent resistance is the sum of the individual resistances (Req = R1 + R2). While in parallel both resistors have their terminals connected to each other, so they will have the same voltage across them and its equivalent resistance is given by the following equation (Req = (R1*R2)/(R1+R2)). The greater the resistance is the less current goes through it and the circuit.

Since when connected in series the equivalent resistance is the sum of the individual resistances, we have a higher total resistance than we would have by connecting it in parallel. Therefore, the connection that draws more current from the source is the one in parallel. So we have: parallel > R2 > R1 > series.