Problem 2: Path of Least Resistance Consider the circuit on the left side of Fig. 14.16, the currents la and lb flow through points a and b, respectively. Answer the following questions in terms of the given quantities in the diagram, V and R. (a) What are the currents la and lb? Which of the following is true: la > lb, la b a (b) A wire is used to connect point a to point b. Does a current lab flow through this wire? Would this current flow from a - b, from b - a, or does lab = 0? Explain your answer using physics concepts or equations (or both). V = IR Since I, > I and R = R, = R b a a So V a So a current lab flow through the wire. And this current will flow from b to a