In a parallel circuit, what is different across all branches?

In a parallel circuit, what is different across all branches?

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

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied across every branch, so the driving force is shared. What varies from branch to branch is the current, because each branch has its own resistance. With the same voltage, current in a branch follows I = V/R, so branches with lower resistance draw more current and those with higher resistance draw less. For example, with 12 V across two branches, a 4 Ω branch draws 3 A while a 12 Ω branch draws 1 A. Power in each branch will differ accordingly, but the key point is that the current is what differs across branches.

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied across every branch, so the driving force is shared. What varies from branch to branch is the current, because each branch has its own resistance. With the same voltage, current in a branch follows I = V/R, so branches with lower resistance draw more current and those with higher resistance draw less. For example, with 12 V across two branches, a 4 Ω branch draws 3 A while a 12 Ω branch draws 1 A. Power in each branch will differ accordingly, but the key point is that the current is what differs across branches.