In a parallel circuit, which quantity is divided between loads?

In a parallel circuit, which quantity is divided between loads?

• A. Voltage
• B. Current
• C. Resistance
• D. Power

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied to every load, but the current from the source splits into the different paths. The quantity that is divided among the loads is current, because each branch carries its own current and those branch currents add up to the total. Since the voltage is the same for every branch, each branch draws I = V/R_branch. Branches with lower resistance take more current, while higher resistance takes less. The total current is the sum of all branch currents. So current is what gets divided between the loads in a parallel circuit. The voltage across each load stays the same, and each branch has its own resistance and power consumption.

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied to every load, but the current from the source splits into the different paths. The quantity that is divided among the loads is current, because each branch carries its own current and those branch currents add up to the total. Since the voltage is the same for every branch, each branch draws I = V/R_branch. Branches with lower resistance take more current, while higher resistance takes less. The total current is the sum of all branch currents. So current is what gets divided between the loads in a parallel circuit. The voltage across each load stays the same, and each branch has its own resistance and power consumption.