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The heat generated by any particular resistor depends (at least electrically) solely on the power it dissipates. Power dissipation in a resistor is equal to current squared times resistance, and the current through the resistor is equal to the voltage across it divided by the resistance. If we take a 10 ohm resistor ('your resistor') and put it in a series circuit such that there is 10 volts across your resistor, the current through it will be 1 ampere (10/10=1). the power dissipated will be 10 watts (1^2 * 10=10). If we put your resistor in a parallel circuit that also puts 10 volts across it, then the current and power will be the same. Your resistor does not know or care where the voltage came from. From this point of view, once you get down to the voltage across the resistor, it does not matter what type of circuit it is in. On the other hand, for any given power supply voltage, then the type of circuit and the value of external components certainly does affect the terminal voltage and thus the current through as well as the power dissipated by the resistor. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across your resistor remains basically the same no matter what resistance you put in parallel with it (unless you overload the power supply or the power supply has high internal resistance). In this case, the voltage across the resistor is the same as the power supply, current is I=E/R, R being that resistor only, and power is P=I^2 * R. In a series circuit the current through the resistors is I=E/R, R being the total resistance (including the other resistor(s)). The power dissipation in your resistor will then be P=I^2 * R, I being the series current we just calculated, and R being your resistor only. Since the other resistors affect the current, and since the current is the same no matter where you measure in a series circuit, then the voltage across your resistor and thus the power dissipation will be affected. The voltage across your resistor will be E=I*R, I being the series current we just calculated, and R being your resistor only. So, while the calculation for power dissipated in a particular resistor does not change relative to what type of circuit it is in, the calculation to arrive at the voltage across the resistor and/or the current through it (which you will then need to calculate power) does. Keep in mind there are other mechanical parameters that influence the actual case temperature of the resistor. Physical size of the case, composition, and airflow velocity, if any, will alter the case-to-ambient thermal conductivity. Ambient temperature will also be a factor in the final temperature.

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Why resistor should disconnected from the circuit when measured the value of resistor?

if not disconnected you will measure the resistance of the circuit in parallel with the resistor.


How can you define power dissipation in a resistor in series or parallel circuit?

Power dissipation in a resistor, or any other type of load, for that matter, is measured in watts and calculated as volts times amperes. It does not matter if the resistor is in a series or a parallel circuit, so long as the volts and amperes in the calculation is for that one resistor. Obviously, volts and amperes is distributed amongst the components of a circuit, and series vs parallel can have a significant affect on that distribution, so you will need to calculate or measure them on a case by case basis.


When you short out a resistor in a parallel circuit why does the current lower?

The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up the reciprocals of the resistance values, and then taking the reciprocal of the total. By removing a resistor the total current will lower. If you short out the parallel circuit as suggested it will take out the fuse that should be protecting the circuit.AnswerShorting-out a resistor in a parallel circuit, will act to short out the entire circuit, therefore, significantly increasing, not lowering, the current! And, as the previous answer indicates, this short-circuit current will operate any protective devices, such as a fuse.In a parallel circuit current does not lower but it will be increase if shorting-out one resistor in the two resistor parallel circuit, the circuit will become very low resistive and the larger current will flow through the short path.


Is total resistance less than smallest resistor in a series parallel circuit?

no


What is a parallel curcuit?

A parallel circuit is a circuit where there is more than one path of which the flow of current can travel. It is also called a current divider as it divides the current since it splits the path.

Related Questions

Why resistor should disconnected from the circuit when measured the value of resistor?

if not disconnected you will measure the resistance of the circuit in parallel with the resistor.


What are some series parallel circuits practice problems that I can solve to improve my understanding of electrical circuits?

Here are some series-parallel circuits practice problems you can solve to improve your understanding of electrical circuits: Calculate the total resistance in a circuit with two resistors in series and one resistor in parallel. Determine the current flowing through each resistor in a circuit with three resistors in parallel. Find the voltage drop across each resistor in a circuit with two resistors in series and one resistor in parallel. Calculate the total power dissipated in a circuit with resistors connected in both series and parallel configurations. Determine the equivalent resistance of a complex circuit with multiple resistors connected in series and parallel. Solving these practice problems will help you develop a better understanding of series-parallel circuits and improve your skills in analyzing and solving electrical circuit problems.


In a parallel circuit the smallest resistor is 500 ohms. What is the largest value this parallel circuit can have?

500 ohms.


A 120 ohm resistor a 60 ohm resistor and a 40 ohm resistor are connected in parallel to a 120 volt power source. What is the current running through the 60 ohm resistor?

To calculate the current running through the 60 ohm resistor in a parallel circuit, you first need to find the total resistance of the circuit. For a parallel circuit, the reciprocal of the total resistance (1/RT) is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3). Once you find the total resistance, you can use Ohm's Law (I = V/R) to calculate the current running through the 60 ohm resistor.


How can you define power dissipation in a resistor in series or parallel circuit?

Power dissipation in a resistor, or any other type of load, for that matter, is measured in watts and calculated as volts times amperes. It does not matter if the resistor is in a series or a parallel circuit, so long as the volts and amperes in the calculation is for that one resistor. Obviously, volts and amperes is distributed amongst the components of a circuit, and series vs parallel can have a significant affect on that distribution, so you will need to calculate or measure them on a case by case basis.


When you short out a resistor in a parallel circuit why does the current lower?

The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by adding up the reciprocals of the resistance values, and then taking the reciprocal of the total. By removing a resistor the total current will lower. If you short out the parallel circuit as suggested it will take out the fuse that should be protecting the circuit.AnswerShorting-out a resistor in a parallel circuit, will act to short out the entire circuit, therefore, significantly increasing, not lowering, the current! And, as the previous answer indicates, this short-circuit current will operate any protective devices, such as a fuse.In a parallel circuit current does not lower but it will be increase if shorting-out one resistor in the two resistor parallel circuit, the circuit will become very low resistive and the larger current will flow through the short path.


In a simple circuit is a battery in series or parallel with the resistor?

In series.


In a parallel circuit each resistor?

reduces the total resiostance


How do you connect resistor?

In a circuit, either in Parallel or in Series with other components.


When the resistor removed from a parallel connection of the circuit whether the resistance increase or decrease?

if we remove a resistor from the parallel connection the effective resistance value will be increased.


Is total resistance less than smallest resistor in a series parallel circuit?

no


Will putting another resistorin parallel raise or lower the total resistors in circuit?

Placing another resistor in parallel to an existing resistor will lower the total resistance in the circuit. RParallel = 1 / Summationi=1toN (1 / Ri)