In a parallel circuit, the voltages across each branch are equal to what?

In a parallel circuit, the voltages across each branch are equal to what?

• A. The total circuit voltage
• B. The current in each branch
• C. The sum of the branch voltages
• D. Zero

Answer: (A)

In a parallel circuit, each branch is connected directly across the same two nodes supplied by the power source. Because of that, the potential difference across every branch is the same as the voltage of the source. So the voltage across each branch equals the total circuit voltage (the source voltage). The current, on the other hand, can vary from branch to branch depending on each branch’s resistance, which is why I_branch = V_source / R_branch. The voltages don’t add up across branches, and zero only happens if there’s no source or an open circuit.

In a parallel circuit, each branch is connected directly across the same two nodes supplied by the power source. Because of that, the potential difference across every branch is the same as the voltage of the source. So the voltage across each branch equals the total circuit voltage (the source voltage). The current, on the other hand, can vary from branch to branch depending on each branch’s resistance, which is why I_branch = V_source / R_branch. The voltages don’t add up across branches, and zero only happens if there’s no source or an open circuit.