In a parallel circuit, the potential difference is the same across all branches?

In a parallel circuit, the potential difference is the same across all branches?

• A. Current
• B. Resistance
• C. Potential difference
• D. Power

Answer: (C)

Potential difference remains the same across all branches in a parallel circuit. This happens because each branch is connected directly across the same two points of the supply, so every branch experiences the same voltage. Current can vary from one branch to another because it depends on each branch’s resistance (I = V/R). With the same voltage but different resistances, the branch currents differ. Resistance can also differ between branches, so there isn’t a single resistance value shared by all branches. And power in each branch depends on both the voltage and the branch current (P = VI or P = V^2/R); with the voltage the same but different currents or resistances, each branch can have a different power. So the unique quantity that is identical across all branches in a parallel circuit is the potential difference.

Potential difference remains the same across all branches in a parallel circuit. This happens because each branch is connected directly across the same two points of the supply, so every branch experiences the same voltage.

Current can vary from one branch to another because it depends on each branch’s resistance (I = V/R). With the same voltage but different resistances, the branch currents differ.

Resistance can also differ between branches, so there isn’t a single resistance value shared by all branches. And power in each branch depends on both the voltage and the branch current (P = VI or P = V^2/R); with the voltage the same but different currents or resistances, each branch can have a different power.

So the unique quantity that is identical across all branches in a parallel circuit is the potential difference.