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

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

• A. The current through each branch is the same
• B. The voltage across each branch is the same
• C. The total current is fixed regardless of branches
• D. The resistance of the circuit equals the resistance of a single branch

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, all branches are connected across the same two points, so the voltage across each branch is the same. That means each branch has the full source voltage, even if their resistances differ. The current in each branch depends on that branch’s resistance via I_branch = V/R_branch, so currents can be different while the voltage stays equal. The total current drawn from the source is the sum of the branch currents, and the overall (equivalent) resistance is less than any individual branch, since 1/R_eq = sum(1/R_i). So the statement that the voltage across each branch is the same is the correct description.

In a parallel circuit, all branches are connected across the same two points, so the voltage across each branch is the same. That means each branch has the full source voltage, even if their resistances differ. The current in each branch depends on that branch’s resistance via I_branch = V/R_branch, so currents can be different while the voltage stays equal. The total current drawn from the source is the sum of the branch currents, and the overall (equivalent) resistance is less than any individual branch, since 1/R_eq = sum(1/R_i). So the statement that the voltage across each branch is the same is the correct description.