The effective resistance of the parallel combination of two resistors is always _______

The Correct answer is less than the resistance of the individual resistors.

Key Points

• The effective resistance of a parallel combination of resistors is always less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor in the circuit.
• In a parallel circuit, the total current through the circuit is the sum of the currents through each resistor.
• As more paths are provided for the current to flow, the overall resistance decreases.
• The formula to calculate the effective resistance for two resistors connected in parallel is:
  1/R_effective = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂.
• This relationship ensures that the effective resistance is always less than any of the individual resistances.
• For example, if two resistors with resistances of 10 Ω and 20 Ω are connected in parallel, the effective resistance will be around 6.67 Ω, which is less than both 10 Ω and 20 Ω.
• Parallel resistors are commonly used in circuits to reduce resistance and allow more current to flow.