In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is

• A. The sum of branch voltages
• B. The same
• C. Proportional to branch current
• D. Varies unpredictably

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, all branches are connected across the same two nodes, so they share the same potential difference. That means the voltage across every branch equals the source voltage (ignoring tiny drops in wiring or the source’s internal resistance). The current, however, splits among the branches according to each branch’s resistance (I = V/R), not the voltage changing from branch to branch. So the voltage across each path stays the same, not the sum, and it doesn’t vary with branch current in an ideal setup.

In a parallel circuit, all branches are connected across the same two nodes, so they share the same potential difference. That means the voltage across every branch equals the source voltage (ignoring tiny drops in wiring or the source’s internal resistance). The current, however, splits among the branches according to each branch’s resistance (I = V/R), not the voltage changing from branch to branch. So the voltage across each path stays the same, not the sum, and it doesn’t vary with branch current in an ideal setup.