College Physics: A Strategic Approach 2nd Edition (Knights, Jones, Field) page 7
ID: 2098539 • Letter: C
Question
College Physics: A Strategic Approach 2nd Edition (Knights, Jones, Field) page 733
A lightbulb is connectd to a battery by two copper wires of equal lengths but different thickness. A thick wire connects one side of the lightbulb to the positive terminal of the battery and a thin wire connects the other side of the bulb to the negative terminal.
a) Which wire carries a greater current? Or is the current the same in both? Explain.
b) If the two wires are switched, will the bulb get brighter, dimmer, or stay the same? Explain.
Explanation / Answer
Current stays the same within the circuit. The reason for this is how electricity works: The current in the system is based on the total current that can pass limited by the light bulb.