Automotive Electronics Practice Test

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Study for the Automotive Electronics Test. Prepare with engaging flashcards and detailed multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with ease!

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How is the current distribution affected when an additional bulb is spliced into a parallel circuit?

The overall current decreases uniformly
The overall current increases due to added resistance
The current through each individual bulb decreases
The total current increases due to available paths

The correct answer is: The total current increases due to available paths

When an additional bulb is spliced into a parallel circuit, the total current increases due to the added parallel pathway. In a parallel circuit, each component operates on the same voltage supply, and every added component provides an additional path for current flow. As more bulbs are added, the overall resistance of the circuit decreases because the total resistance in a parallel configuration can be calculated with the formula: 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn. With a decrease in total resistance, according to Ohm's Law (I = V/R), the total current drawn from the power source increases. This is because the voltage remains constant, and reducing the resistance leads to a higher current. Therefore, the correct response highlights that adding another bulb increases the total current in the circuit by providing more routes for the electrical current to flow. Each bulb receives the same supply voltage, which means while the brightness may change slightly due to the load distribution, the primary effect is an overall increase in total current supplied to the circuit.