Resistor in parallel with no resistor

[deleted688779]

In regards to the circuit I drew below, does current take Path A, B, or both?

I'm thinking A, but would the resistor just have no effect?

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[theonlytycrane]

It'll take the path of least resistance. In practice a tiny bit of current might still go down path B since the wires will also carry a bit of resistance, but most will go down path A.

 

[deleted688779]

So in theory (delusional ideal physics world/on a test question) no current would pass through the resistor, thus no voltage drop?

But on a slightly related note, if current takes the path of least resistance then why doesn't it do that when resistors are in parallel with one having less resistance?

 

[wizzed101]

In that ideal world, there are still voltage drop because the 2 sections are in parallel thus have the same voltage.

They take both paths. Just most of the 235679654 A current will go into the wire and grill it while only ~1 A will go through the resistor.

 

[theonlytycrane]

But on a slightly related note, if current takes the path of least resistance then why doesn't it do that when resistors are in parallel with one having less resistance?

It does. The voltage drop is the same, so the resistor with the lower resistance gets more of the current.

 

[akimhaneul]

It does. The voltage drop is the same, so the resistor with the lower resistance gets more of the current.

Then can you calculate the exact value of the current? Let's say V=20V and R= 2 ohm, can you calculate the current?

 

[theonlytycrane]

Then can you calculate the exact value of the current? Let's say V=20V and R= 2 ohm, can you calculate the current?

Yeah- do you mean V = 20V, and two resistors? With just one, I = 20V / 2 ohm