In a circuit, if the total voltage is constant, what happens if resistance increases?

When the total voltage in a circuit remains constant while the resistance increases, the current flowing through the circuit decreases. This relationship is governed by Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R), or I = V/R.

As the resistance increases with a constant voltage, the denominator in this equation becomes larger, resulting in a smaller value for current. This means that higher resistance restricts the flow of electric charge, leading to a decrease in current.

Additionally, this decrease in current impacts the power consumed by the circuit, as power is calculated using the formula P = VI or P = I²R. When current decreases due to increased resistance while voltage remains unchanged, the overall power consumption also drops. Understanding this relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is crucial in circuit analysis and design, particularly when troubleshooting or optimizing electrical systems.