What effect does a decrease in resistance have on current flow in a circuit?

A decrease in resistance in a circuit directly impacts the flow of current according to Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R) in a circuit: ( I = \frac{V}{R} ). When resistance reduces while the voltage remains constant, the current must increase to maintain the relationship defined by Ohm’s Law. This principle applies to both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits, showing that changes in resistance have a universal effect on current flow.

This relationship highlights why understanding resistance is critical in designing and troubleshooting electrical systems. By lowering resistance, components such as wires or circuit paths can be optimized to allow more current to flow, which can be beneficial in various applications, including power distribution and electronic devices.