In a parallel circuit, what is true about the voltage across branches?

In a parallel circuit, what is true about the voltage across branches?

• A. Voltage is the same across all branches.
• B. Current is the same across all branches.
• C. Voltage varies across branches.
• D. Power is the same across all branches.

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, all branches share the same voltage because each branch is connected directly across the same two nodes of the supply. This means the voltage across every branch is equal to the source voltage. The current, however, is not the same across branches—it's determined by each branch’s resistance. Currents split among the branches according to Ohm’s law I = V/R, so different branches can carry different currents. Power in each branch can differ as well, since P = VI or P = I^2R; with the same voltage across all branches, branches with lower resistance draw more current and can dissipate more power than those with higher resistance.

In a parallel circuit, all branches share the same voltage because each branch is connected directly across the same two nodes of the supply. This means the voltage across every branch is equal to the source voltage.

The current, however, is not the same across branches—it's determined by each branch’s resistance. Currents split among the branches according to Ohm’s law I = V/R, so different branches can carry different currents.

Power in each branch can differ as well, since P = VI or P = I^2R; with the same voltage across all branches, branches with lower resistance draw more current and can dissipate more power than those with higher resistance.