What effect does increasing resistance have on current in a circuit?

Increasing resistance in a circuit has a direct effect on the flow of electric current, which can be understood through Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law states that the current (I) flowing through a circuit is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the circuit and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the circuit, expressed mathematically as I = V/R.

When resistance increases, while the voltage remains constant, the overall current flowing through the circuit decreases. This is because the increased resistance creates more opposition to the flow of electrons, leading to a reduction in current. This principle is fundamental in electrical engineering and is critical for understanding circuit behavior under varying conditions of resistance.

The notion that current can remain the same or become unpredictable does not align with the established principles defining the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. Instead, it is the predictable outcome of higher resistance causing a decrease in current that is consistent with the behaviors described by Ohm's Law.