What is the effect of increasing the load resistance in a circuit with a fixed voltage source?

Increasing the load resistance in a circuit with a fixed voltage source leads to a decrease in the current flowing through the circuit. This relationship is defined by Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R) in the circuit, expressed mathematically as I = V/R.

When the voltage remains constant and the resistance increases, the formula shows that for a higher resistance value, the resulting current value must be lower to maintain the equality. Specifically, as load resistance increases, the denominator in the equation becomes larger, thus reducing the overall current. This principle is fundamental in understanding how circuits operate and is frequently applied in various electronic and electrical scenarios.