Current in the different branches of a parallel circuit is described as

Current in the different branches of a parallel circuit is described as

• A. The same in every branch
• B. Shared between branches
• C. Zero in all but one branch
• D. Proportional to the sum of voltages

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied to every branch, so the total current from the source is shared among the branches according to each branch’s resistance. Each branch draws its own current, and the sum of those branch currents equals the total current. This is why the statement that current is shared between branches is the best description—the current splits rather than staying the same in every branch. The currents aren’t identical in all branches because different resistances draw different amounts of current (I = V/R). It isn’t zero in all but one branch, since every branch provides a path for current, and it isn’t proportional to the sum of voltages since the voltage is the same across branches and each branch current depends on its own resistance.

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied to every branch, so the total current from the source is shared among the branches according to each branch’s resistance. Each branch draws its own current, and the sum of those branch currents equals the total current. This is why the statement that current is shared between branches is the best description—the current splits rather than staying the same in every branch. The currents aren’t identical in all branches because different resistances draw different amounts of current (I = V/R). It isn’t zero in all but one branch, since every branch provides a path for current, and it isn’t proportional to the sum of voltages since the voltage is the same across branches and each branch current depends on its own resistance.