In an electrical circuit, what impact does increasing resistance have on current, assuming voltage remains constant?

Increasing resistance in an electrical circuit while keeping the voltage constant leads to a decrease in current. This behavior can be explained by Ohm's Law, which states that the current (I) in a circuit is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R). The formula is expressed as I = V/R.

When the voltage remains constant and resistance increases, the denominator of the equation becomes larger, resulting in a smaller value for current. For example, if the voltage is fixed at 10 volts, an increase in resistance from 5 ohms to 10 ohms halves the current flowing through the circuit.

This concept is fundamental to understanding how electrical components interact in a circuit. When resistance increases, the flow of electric charge is impeded, leading to reduced current levels. Such a relationship is crucial for designing and analyzing circuits to ensure proper functionality and safety.