If voltage is held constant and resistance decreases, what happens to amperage?

Study for the Heavy Duty Technician Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

When voltage is held constant and resistance decreases, the amperage increases due to Ohm's Law, which states that the current (amperage) flowing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance of the conductor. This is mathematically expressed as:

I = V/R

Where:

  • I stands for current (amperage),

  • V stands for voltage,

  • R stands for resistance.

In this equation, if voltage (V) remains consistent and the resistance (R) decreases, the division of a constant voltage by a smaller resistance results in a larger value for current (I).

Thus, decreasing resistance allows more current to flow for the same applied voltage, leading to an increase in amperage. This principle is essential in understanding electrical circuits and their behavior under different conditions.

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