Will current flow more easily through a thick wire or a thin wire of the same material, when connected to the same source? Why?
Current will flow more easily through a thick wire compared to a thin wire of the same material when connected to the same source.
A thick wire has a larger cross-sectional area. The resistance of a conductor is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section (R ∝ 1/A). This means that as the cross-sectional area increases, the resistance decreases.
Since the thick wire has a larger cross-sectional area, it offers lower resistance to the flow of electric current. With lower resistance and the same potential difference from the source, more current flows through the thick wire. Therefore, current flows more easily through a thick wire than a thin wire.
Explanation
The textbook context clearly states that 'the ammeter reading is increased when a thicker wire of the same material and of the same length is used in the circuit.' It also establishes that 'resistance of a uniform metallic conductor is... inversely proportional to the area of cross-section (A).' A thick wire has larger cross-sectional area, hence lower resistance, allowing more current to flow through it.