Question

With a neat labelled diagram and derive the equation for three resistances connected in parallel.

Answer 1

When two or more resistors are joined at the same end, the resistances are connected in parallel.

The potential difference in parallel remains the same across all the resistors.

The current is the sum of the currents across all the individual resistors.

l = l₁ + l₂ + l₃                                                      .........(1)

Let R_p be the resultant resistance of the circuit.

On applying Ohm’s law to the entire circuit, we get

l = V/R_p                                                          ................(2)

Now, applying Ohm’s law to individual resistances, we get

l₁ = V/R₁

l₂ = V/R₂

l₃ = V/R₃                                                            ................(3)

From equations (1), (2) and (3), we get

`V/R_p=V/R_1+V/R_2+V/R_3`

`therefore1/R_p=1/R_1+1/R_2+1/R_3`

Here, R_p is the resultant resistance. Thus, the reciprocal of the resultant resistance of a parallel combination of resistors is the sum of the reciprocals of individual resistances. The resultant resistance is lesser than all the resistances.