Give the current more than one branch to flow through and it splits, taking each road at once. Every branch feels the full push of the supply, which is why the lights in a house all run at full brightness.
In a parallel circuit each branch has the full supply voltage across it. The current from the source splits between the branches and the branch currents add to the total. Adding parallel branches lowers the combined resistance below that of any single branch.
In a parallel circuit the components are on separate branches across the supply. Each branch has the full supply voltage, the branch currents add to the total, and the combined resistance is less than the smallest branch.
Adding a parallel branch lowers the combined resistance.
Add branches and watch the current divide while each branch keeps the full voltage.
Four quick checks. Each correct answer earns XP and lights this skill on your star map.
In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is...
The total current from the supply equals...
Adding another branch in parallel makes the combined resistance...
At a junction, the current flowing in...
The voltage is the same across each branch, and the branch currents add up to the supply current.
In parallel each branch gets the full supply voltage, the voltage is not shared. The branch currents add to the total, and the combined resistance is less than the smallest single resistor, not more.
Unlocks once the four checks above are done. Worth more XP, written in the style of Paper 2.
A current of 0.60 A reaches a junction and 0.40 A flows down one branch. The current in the other branch is...
Two 6.0 Ω resistors are connected in parallel. Their combined resistance is...
Two lamps are connected in parallel across a 12 V supply. The voltage across each lamp is...
Parallel circuits are mapped. Keep the chain going.