What is the result of having resistors in parallel in a circuit?

Having resistors in parallel decreases the total resistance of the circuit. This occurs because each parallel resistor provides an alternate path for current to flow. When resistors are connected in this manner, the effective resistance can be calculated using the formula:

1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... + 1/Rn

As you add more resistors in parallel, the total resistance approaches zero, because the overall circuit can support more current since the voltage remains constant across each resistor.

The decrease in total resistance allows more current to flow, which is a fundamental property of parallel circuits. Thus, the total current drawn from the power source increases as the total resistance decreases. This is critical for applications where balanced load distribution or increased current capacity is needed.

In contrast, the notion of total resistance increasing applies to series circuits, where resistors add up to increase the overall resistance. Therefore, the correct response highlights the unique characteristic of parallel connections, making this understanding vital for anyone involved in electrical work and planning circuit designs.