In a parallel circuit, if components have different resistances, what is different between branches?

In a parallel circuit, if components have different resistances, what is different between branches?

• A. Voltages
• B. Resistances
• C. Currents
• D. Brightness

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, all branches share the same voltage across them. When the components in those branches have different resistances, the property that differs from one branch to another is the resistance value of each component. Each branch can be a different resistor, so the resistances are not the same. That variation in resistance is what distinguishes one branch from another, and it’s what determines how much current each branch draws (I = V/R). So the key difference between branches, given different resistances, is the resistance itself, with currents and brightness following from those different R values.

In a parallel circuit, all branches share the same voltage across them. When the components in those branches have different resistances, the property that differs from one branch to another is the resistance value of each component. Each branch can be a different resistor, so the resistances are not the same. That variation in resistance is what distinguishes one branch from another, and it’s what determines how much current each branch draws (I = V/R). So the key difference between branches, given different resistances, is the resistance itself, with currents and brightness following from those different R values.