# A student has a circuit containing a battery and a single resistor. The student replaces the single resistor with two identical resistors connected in parallel. Explain what happens to the total resistance of the circuit and to the current supplied by the battery after this change is made.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 1.1 Electric circuits · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The total resistance of the circuit decreases
2. Because there are now more paths for current to flow through
3. The current supplied by the battery increases
4. Because the lower resistance allows more current to flow (for the same battery voltage)

## Key terms

- [parallel](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/parallel)
- [resistance](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/resistance)
- [current](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/current)
- [battery](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/battery)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-has-a-circuit-containing-13ece040) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.