In a parallel circuit, current distribution among branches is ...?

In a parallel circuit, current distribution among branches is ...?

• A. Current is the same in all branches
• B. Current splits in proportion to the supply voltage
• C. Current splits inversely to branch resistance
• D. Current equals total voltage divided by sum of resistances

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same, so each branch carries a current given by I = V / R_branch. Because V is the same for every branch, the branch with lower resistance draws more current, and the currents add up. This means current distribution is inversely related to branch resistance. The idea that current is the same in all branches would apply to a series circuit, not parallel. It’s not split proportional to the supply voltage, since that voltage is the same across all branches. And the total current isn’t found by simply dividing the supply voltage by the sum of resistances; in parallel you use the equivalent resistance (the reciprocal sum of the branch resistances) to find the total current: I_total = V / R_eq.

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same, so each branch carries a current given by I = V / R_branch. Because V is the same for every branch, the branch with lower resistance draws more current, and the currents add up. This means current distribution is inversely related to branch resistance.

The idea that current is the same in all branches would apply to a series circuit, not parallel. It’s not split proportional to the supply voltage, since that voltage is the same across all branches. And the total current isn’t found by simply dividing the supply voltage by the sum of resistances; in parallel you use the equivalent resistance (the reciprocal sum of the branch resistances) to find the total current: I_total = V / R_eq.