Question

problem 11: (6% of assignment value) a power source supplies a prescribed voltage and is used to power a light bulb. if another light bulb is connected in parallel to the first how would it affect the current in the power source? the current would increase. the current would remain the same. the current would decrease. cannot be determined.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall parallel - circuit property

In a parallel - circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same as the source voltage, and the total current in the circuit is the sum of the currents through each branch. When a new light - bulb is connected in parallel to the first one, the voltage across the power source remains the same (assuming an ideal power source). According to Ohm's law \(I = \frac{V}{R}\), and since the resistance of the power - source path and its internal resistance (if any) remain constant and the voltage across the source is constant, the current in the power source will increase because the total current in the circuit is the sum of the currents through each parallel branch.

Answer:

The current would increase.