In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch.

In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents in each branch.

• A. The product of the currents in each branch
• B. The largest branch current
• C. The sum of the currents in each branch
• D. The smallest branch current

Answer: (C)

Currents in parallel add up to the total drawn from the source. In a parallel circuit, each branch provides its own path for current, and Kirchhoff's current law says the current entering a junction equals the current leaving it. The voltage across every branch is the same, but each branch draws a current I = V/R depending on its resistance. The source current is the sum of all branch currents, so the total equals I1 + I2 + I3, etc. For example, if one branch carries 2 A and another carries 3 A, the total current from the source is 5 A. A product or taking only the largest or smallest branch current would not reflect how currents combine in parallel.

Currents in parallel add up to the total drawn from the source. In a parallel circuit, each branch provides its own path for current, and Kirchhoff's current law says the current entering a junction equals the current leaving it. The voltage across every branch is the same, but each branch draws a current I = V/R depending on its resistance. The source current is the sum of all branch currents, so the total equals I1 + I2 + I3, etc. For example, if one branch carries 2 A and another carries 3 A, the total current from the source is 5 A. A product or taking only the largest or smallest branch current would not reflect how currents combine in parallel.