In a parallel circuit, which statement about branch currents is true?

In a parallel circuit, which statement about branch currents is true?

• A. Each branch current is equal to the source current.
• B. The branch currents cancel each other out.
• C. The total current equals the sum of the branch currents.
• D. The voltage across each branch is zero.

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied to every branch, but the current splits among those branches. The total current drawn from the source must equal the sum of the currents in all branches because charge conservation at the junctions requires that the currents into a node equal the currents out. This is Kirchhoff’s current law in action: I_total = I_branch1 + I_branch2 + ... So the statement that the total current equals the sum of the branch currents is the true description. The branch currents don’t cancel each other out in a DC parallel circuit; they simply add up at the junction. Also, the voltage across each branch is the source voltage, not zero, so it’s not zero across the branches.

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage is applied to every branch, but the current splits among those branches. The total current drawn from the source must equal the sum of the currents in all branches because charge conservation at the junctions requires that the currents into a node equal the currents out. This is Kirchhoff’s current law in action: I_total = I_branch1 + I_branch2 + ...

So the statement that the total current equals the sum of the branch currents is the true description. The branch currents don’t cancel each other out in a DC parallel circuit; they simply add up at the junction. Also, the voltage across each branch is the source voltage, not zero, so it’s not zero across the branches.