Get ready for the NCEA Level 1 Energy Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with clear explanations and hints. Prepare for success!

Multiple Choice

In a parallel circuit with resistors of different values, do currents flow through each branch equally?

In a parallel circuit, every branch shares the same voltage from the source, and the current in each branch follows I = V/R. Since the resistances are different, the currents are not the same: the branch with the smaller resistance draws more current, while the one with the larger resistance draws less. The total current is the sum of all branch currents. If all branches had identical resistance, their currents would be equal, but with different values they won’t be. For example, across 12 V, a 2 Ω branch carries 6 A and a 4 Ω branch carries 3 A (total 9 A).

In a parallel circuit, every branch shares the same voltage from the source, and the current in each branch follows I = V/R. Since the resistances are different, the currents are not the same: the branch with the smaller resistance draws more current, while the one with the larger resistance draws less. The total current is the sum of all branch currents. If all branches had identical resistance, their currents would be equal, but with different values they won’t be. For example, across 12 V, a 2 Ω branch carries 6 A and a 4 Ω branch carries 3 A (total 9 A).