In a parallel DC circuit, how does current divide?

In a parallel DC circuit, how does current divide?

• A. Current is the same through all branches
• B. Current divides among branches according to branch resistance
• C. No current in any branch
• D. Current flows only in the first branch

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, all branches share the same voltage across them. Each branch draws current according to its own resistance using I = V/R. Because the voltage is the same for every branch, the currents split inversely with resistance: lower resistance branches take more current, higher resistance branches take less. The total current from the source is the sum of all branch currents. For example, with 12 V across two branches, one branch is 6 Ω and the other is 3 Ω. The currents are 12/6 = 2 A in the first branch and 12/3 = 4 A in the second, totaling 6 A. If both branches had the same resistance, they'd share the current equally. This is why the correct description is that current divides among branches according to branch resistance.

In a parallel circuit, all branches share the same voltage across them. Each branch draws current according to its own resistance using I = V/R. Because the voltage is the same for every branch, the currents split inversely with resistance: lower resistance branches take more current, higher resistance branches take less. The total current from the source is the sum of all branch currents.

For example, with 12 V across two branches, one branch is 6 Ω and the other is 3 Ω. The currents are 12/6 = 2 A in the first branch and 12/3 = 4 A in the second, totaling 6 A. If both branches had the same resistance, they'd share the current equally.

This is why the correct description is that current divides among branches according to branch resistance.