In parallel, each component experiences what relative to the cell?

In parallel, each component experiences what relative to the cell?

• A. The same voltage
• B. The same current
• C. The same resistance
• D. The same power

Answer: (A)

In parallel, all components share the same voltage from the cell. They’re connected across the same two points, so the potential difference across every branch is identical. Because the voltage is the same for each component, the current in each branch follows I = V/R. That means currents can differ if the branch resistances differ. It also means the resistance values themselves aren’t forced to be the same, and the power in each branch is P = V^2 / R (or P = VI), so different resistances can draw different powers even though the voltage is the same. So the key idea is that parallel components experience the same voltage, not necessarily the same current, resistance, or power.

In parallel, all components share the same voltage from the cell. They’re connected across the same two points, so the potential difference across every branch is identical.

Because the voltage is the same for each component, the current in each branch follows I = V/R. That means currents can differ if the branch resistances differ. It also means the resistance values themselves aren’t forced to be the same, and the power in each branch is P = V^2 / R (or P = VI), so different resistances can draw different powers even though the voltage is the same.

So the key idea is that parallel components experience the same voltage, not necessarily the same current, resistance, or power.