What happens to the total resistance when additional resistors are added in parallel?

When additional resistors are added in parallel, the total resistance of the circuit decreases. This is due to the way parallel resistors are configured: as more paths for the current are introduced, the total current flowing through the circuit increases.

In a parallel arrangement, the formula used to calculate the total resistance (R_total) is given by:

1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ...

This equation indicates that the reciprocal of the total resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances. As more resistors are added, their combined influence provides more pathways for the current, leading to a reduction in total resistance.

Therefore, when multiple resistors are present in parallel, the overall resistance becomes less than the smallest resistance among the individual resistors connected, facilitating an easier flow of electric current through the circuit. This fundamental principle of electrical circuits ensures that the more resistors you add in parallel, the lower the total resistance becomes.