In a parallel circuit, how does the voltage across each branch compare to the source voltage?

In a parallel circuit, how does the voltage across each branch compare to the source voltage?

• A. It is greater than the source voltage
• B. It varies across branches depending on resistance
• C. It equals the source voltage
• D. It is half the source voltage

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, every branch is connected across the same two points, so each branch experiences the same potential difference as the source. The source sets the voltage across the two shared nodes, and that same voltage appears across every branch regardless of each branch’s resistance. The currents in the branches can differ (I = V/R for each branch) if the resistances are different, but the voltage across each branch remains equal to the source voltage. This is different from a series arrangement, where the voltage is divided among components.

In a parallel circuit, every branch is connected across the same two points, so each branch experiences the same potential difference as the source. The source sets the voltage across the two shared nodes, and that same voltage appears across every branch regardless of each branch’s resistance. The currents in the branches can differ (I = V/R for each branch) if the resistances are different, but the voltage across each branch remains equal to the source voltage. This is different from a series arrangement, where the voltage is divided among components.