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lod asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 3 years ago

What happens in a circuit when it needs more current?

I am wondering if with a circuit powered by a battery, would the battery always give out a fixed current? Or does the current outputted change on the components? E.G. if a LED needed 20A and 20A was being outputted form the battery, then another identical LED was added, would the current split between the two or would the battery double it's outputted current?

Thanks

Update:

Or does the current outputted current change on the components?*

Update 2:

Also, does this also happen in AC mains electricity? Or would it just not use all of the current and send it back through the neutral wire?

2 Answers

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  • Jeffrey K
    Lv 7
    3 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    A battery puts out a constant voltage, not current. The current is given by the equation I = V / R

    The current thru the LEDs depends on if the leds are in series or parallel.

  • amania_r
    Lv 7
    3 years ago

    Unused current isn't sent back in the neutral wire. There's nothing special about the neutral wire in this context, it's simply the conductor that's attached to earth at the sub-station.

    Imagine a pipe with water flowing in it. If you partially closed a valve in the pipe, less water would flow into the valve and out of the valve.

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