In a parallel circuit, the current in a branch is determined primarily by which property of that branch?

In a parallel circuit, the current in a branch is determined primarily by which property of that branch?

• A. Voltage
• B. Length
• C. Width
• D. Resistance

Answer: (D)

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied across every branch, so the current in a specific branch is set by that branch’s resistance through Ohm’s Law: I = V/R. Since V is the same for all branches, the branch with lower resistance will draw more current and the one with higher resistance will draw less. Length and width affect resistance (R = ρL/A), but the direct determinant of how much current flows in a branch under the same voltage is the resistance value itself.

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied across every branch, so the current in a specific branch is set by that branch’s resistance through Ohm’s Law: I = V/R. Since V is the same for all branches, the branch with lower resistance will draw more current and the one with higher resistance will draw less. Length and width affect resistance (R = ρL/A), but the direct determinant of how much current flows in a branch under the same voltage is the resistance value itself.