Predicting what happens after parallel resistor is added

[SaintJude]

What are the most important changes that would occur after another parallel resistor was added to the system shown below ?

Most important: Does I1, I2, I3 each increase???

1. )The voltage produced by the battery will remain the same (T/F)
2.) The effective resistance will decrease--Adding parallel resistors always decreases the effective resistance (T/F)
3.) The current produced by the battery will increase. (T/F)
4.) The power will increase because current has increased (T/F)

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[SaintJude]

bueller?

 

[MedPR]

I don't think I1, I2, and I3 are affected by an I4 if R4 is added in parallel. The voltage drop across parallel resistors is the same for each resistor. Adding a fourth resistor would decrease Req, thereby increasing Ieq (as you have stated above), but the increase in Ieq should be equivalent to I4. I think the only way to change the current through a resistor is to change the battery, or add a resistor in series. Neither of those are happening here.

 

[milski]

MedPR is correct, the currents stay the same, all the statements are true.

Note: That's an ideal situation that does not take into account the internal resistance of the batter and the fact that it will have some limit on the current generated.