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

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

• A. The voltage is the same across each branch.
• B. The current is the same across each branch.
• C. The resistance is the same in every branch.
• D. The total voltage equals the sum of branch voltages.

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same because all branches are connected directly across the same two nodes. This means every path between the two nodes experiences the full supply voltage, regardless of how many branches there are or what’s in each branch. The reason the other statements aren’t generally true is that current can split between branches depending on each branch’s resistance. Since each branch may have a different resistance, the current through each branch will be I = V/R for that branch, so the currents are often different even though the voltage is the same. The resistance in each branch can vary as well, so you don’t need them to be equal. And the total voltage isn’t the sum of branch voltages in parallel; it remains the same across all branches (only in series do voltages add).

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same because all branches are connected directly across the same two nodes. This means every path between the two nodes experiences the full supply voltage, regardless of how many branches there are or what’s in each branch.

The reason the other statements aren’t generally true is that current can split between branches depending on each branch’s resistance. Since each branch may have a different resistance, the current through each branch will be I = V/R for that branch, so the currents are often different even though the voltage is the same. The resistance in each branch can vary as well, so you don’t need them to be equal. And the total voltage isn’t the sum of branch voltages in parallel; it remains the same across all branches (only in series do voltages add).