Question

A resistor of $16\Omega$ is cut into 4 equal parts. These parts are now connected in parallel. The equivalent resistance of the combination is:

• A. $2\Omega$
• B. $1\Omega$
• C. $4\Omega$
• D. $0.5\Omega$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $1\Omega$

If we cut a $16\Omega$ resistor into four equal parts, and if its resistance is uniformly distributed across its length, we will get four $4\Omega$ resistors.
Now if these four $4\Omega$ resistors are connected in parallel, the effective resistance would be:

$\frac{1}{R_{eff}}=\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}$

$\Rightarrow R_{eff}=1\Omega$.