Number of Wires & Cross-Sectional Area

AI Thread Summary
Resistance in a wire is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area, meaning that increasing the cross-sectional area decreases resistance. Adding more wires between two points effectively increases the cross-sectional area, as these wires are arranged in parallel. This configuration reduces the overall resistance since the total current is distributed among the wires. The relationship can be analyzed using the equation V=IR, where a constant voltage leads to reduced resistance with more wires. Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping how circuit configurations affect electrical resistance.
BranTkC
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Hi there, I'm a student in high school.
I'm quite new to the forum. Please forgive my mistakes.

Homework Statement
My question is related to electricity, more specifically the factors affecting resistance in a wire. I know that resistance is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the wire.

Does the number of wires represent the cross-sectional area of the wire?

Relevant equations
The circuit diagram is in the attachment.
I came across an experiment which describes that by changing the number of wires (ie. changing the number of eureka wires), we actually change its cross-sectional area.

The attempt at a solution
However, doesn't adding the number of wires make it become a parallel circuit?

Help to clarify please?
 

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    Resistance.jpg
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By adding more wires between points x and y, you are increasing the cross section of wire between these points. Between x and y, these wires are in parallel (so there is less current flowing through each wire. Using V=IR where V = const you can see that R reduces).
 
Alright. Thanks!
 

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