What effect does increasing the voltage in a circuit have on the current, assuming resistance stays constant?

Increasing the voltage in a circuit while keeping the resistance constant directly affects the current according to Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R). This relationship can be expressed with the formula: I = V / R.

When voltage increases and resistance remains unchanged, the current must increase proportionally. This means that if you apply a higher voltage across the same resistance, more current will flow through the circuit. For example, if you have a circuit with a resistance of 2 ohms, and you increase the voltage from 10 volts to 20 volts, the current will rise from 5 amperes to 10 amperes, demonstrating a direct relationship as dictated by Ohm's Law.

The other choices do not hold true under these given conditions. If resistance is constant, the current will not decrease, remain the same, or fluctuate with an increase in voltage. An understanding of this principle is crucial for anyone working with electrical systems, as it informs how changes in voltage will directly impact circuit performance.