In a parallel circuit, if one branch has greater resistance than another, what happens to the current in that branch?

In a parallel circuit, if one branch has greater resistance than another, what happens to the current in that branch?

• A. It is greater
• B. It is the same
• C. It is less
• D. It depends on the source

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is across every branch, and current divides according to each branch’s resistance: I = V/R. With the voltage fixed, a branch that has greater resistance will draw less current than a branch with lower resistance. For example, with 12 V across two branches, one at 20 Ω and one at 10 Ω, the currents are 0.6 A and 1.2 A respectively—the higher-resistance branch carries less current. The current would be the same only if the resistances were equal, and it doesn’t depend on the source as long as the voltage across the branches remains fixed.

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is across every branch, and current divides according to each branch’s resistance: I = V/R. With the voltage fixed, a branch that has greater resistance will draw less current than a branch with lower resistance. For example, with 12 V across two branches, one at 20 Ω and one at 10 Ω, the currents are 0.6 A and 1.2 A respectively—the higher-resistance branch carries less current. The current would be the same only if the resistances were equal, and it doesn’t depend on the source as long as the voltage across the branches remains fixed.