Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

Which of the following components should be added to an existing resistor to increase the resistance?

1. A resistor in parallel

2. A resistor in series

3. A capacitor in series

4. A capacitor in parallel

The correct answer is: A resistor in series

To increase the resistance in a circuit, a resistor needs to be added in series with the existing resistor. When resistors are connected in series, the total resistance increases because the current has to pass through each resistor one after another. The total resistance in a series configuration is simply the sum of the individual resistances. For example, if you have an existing resistor of 100 ohms and you connect another resistor of 50 ohms in series, the total resistance becomes 150 ohms. This principle is fundamental in circuit design, especially when tailoring resistance values to achieve specific voltage or current requirements. In contrast, connecting a resistor in parallel would decrease the overall resistance because it provides additional pathways for the current, reducing the total resistance according to the formula for combined resistance in parallel circuits. Capacitors in series or parallel arrangements affect capacitance rather than resistance, thus not providing the desired increase in resistance.