In a parallel circuit, the total current is determined by the component currents being added.

In a parallel circuit, the total current is determined by the component currents being added.

• A. Divided
• B. Multiplied
• C. Added
• D. Subtracted

Answer: (C)

In parallel circuits, currents in the separate paths combine to form the current drawn from the source. This follows Kirchhoff’s current law: the current entering a node equals the sum of currents leaving it, so the total current is the sum of the branch currents. Since each branch has the same voltage, each branch current is i = V/R_branch, and adding those branch currents gives the total current. For example, if one branch draws 2 A and another 3 A, the source provides 5 A. The currents split among branches according to their resistances, but the total is always the sum of the branch currents, not a product or a difference.

In parallel circuits, currents in the separate paths combine to form the current drawn from the source. This follows Kirchhoff’s current law: the current entering a node equals the sum of currents leaving it, so the total current is the sum of the branch currents. Since each branch has the same voltage, each branch current is i = V/R_branch, and adding those branch currents gives the total current.

For example, if one branch draws 2 A and another 3 A, the source provides 5 A. The currents split among branches according to their resistances, but the total is always the sum of the branch currents, not a product or a difference.