Parallel Circuit

Question 1

Circuits in parallel

Answer 1

§ A parallel circuit is made up of many branches or loops of wire
§ Every branch has circuit components on it
§ Most electrons (not all) are going to go to branches with less resistance

Question 2

Parallel circuits and current

Answer 2

§ Current is split between the branches in parallel circuits
□ Current can flow down multiple paths and each electron can travel down one path at a time
§ Current along each branch is determined by the resistance of the branches
§ The values of the current along each branch will add up to the total current drawn by the battery
§ If all the branches have the same resistance, there will be the same current along the branches
§ If a branch has a higher resistance than the other, it will have a lower current
□ Harder for electrons to move down a branch with higher resistance

Question 3

Parallel circuits and voltage

Answer 3

§ Voltage stays the same length on every branch in a parallel circuit
§ Voltage of a branch is not affected by the resistance of the components