Internal resistance rise shifts power dissipation toward the cell Steps:

• Total circuit resistance is R (fixed) + r (internal); current I = ε / (R + r), where ε is constant emf.
• As r increases, I decreases.
• Power in fixed resistor: P_R = I²R = ε²R / (R + r)², which decreases.
• Power in cell (internal): P_r = I²r = ε²r / (R + r)²; derivative shows P_r increases for r < R, typical for aging cells starting with low r.

Why C is correct:

• Energy dissipation rate in cell equals I²r; as r rises from low values, the r/(R + r)² term increases per circuit analysis, per Ohm's law and power formula P = I²r.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Charge per carrier (electron charge e) is fixed by physics, unaffected by resistance.
• B: Potential likely means voltage or power across resistor; both I R and I²R decrease with falling I.
• D: Charge carriers per unit time equals I/e; I decreases, so number decreases.

Final answer: C