In a parallel circuit, increasing the resistance of one branch will have what effect on the total current?

In a parallel circuit, each branch operates independently, and the total current is the sum of the currents flowing through each branch. When you increase the resistance in one branch, the current flowing through that specific branch decreases according to Ohm's Law (I = V/R). However, this does not affect the other branches, which will continue to conduct current according to their own resistances.

Since the total current in a parallel circuit is calculated by adding the currents through each branch, the overall effect on total current will depend on how many branches there are and their resistances. If no other branches change their resistances or if the overall setup of the circuit remains unchanged, the total current flow through the entire circuit remains unchanged as the independent branches balance the changes.

In essence, the total current stays constant until a change affects more than just one branch. Therefore, if only one branch’s resistance is altered, without changes in voltage or other branches’ resistances, the total current would remain the same.