Parallel Circuits
READ
A parallel circuit has at least one point where the circuit divides, creating more than one
path for current. Each path is called a branch. The current through a branch is called branch
current. If current flows into a branch in a circuit, the same amount of current must flow out
again, This rule is known as Kirchhoff’s current law.
Each branch in a parallel circuit has its own path to the battery; the voltage across each
branch is equal to the battery’s voltage.( VT=V1=V2=V3…) If you know the resistance and
voltage of a branch you can calculate the current with Ohm’s Law (I=V/R). In this connection
the total current is equal to the sum of the individual current. (IT+I1+I2+I3….)
LET’S PRACTICE »»»
1. Use the parallel circuit pictured right to answer
questions (a) to (d).
a. What is the voltage across each bulb?
b. What is the current in each branch?
c. What is the total current provided by the battery?
d. Use the total current and the total voltage to
calculate the total resistance of the circuit.(Remember that voltage drop is calculated by
multiplying current in the circuit by the resistance of a particular resistor: V = IR.)
e. Draw the path of the current on the diagram.
In part (d) of problems 1 you calculated the total resistance of each circuit. This required
you to first find the current in each branch. Then you found the total current and used Ohm’s
law to calculate the total resistance. Another way to find the total resistance of two parallel
resistors is to use the formula shown below.
EXAMPLE: Calculate the total resistance of a circuit containing two 6 ohm resistors.
Given Solution
The circuit contains two 6 Ω
resistors in parallel. =
Looking for
The total resistance of the circuit. = 3Ω
Relationship The total resistance is 3 ohms.
Name:___________________________ Year & Section: ______________Date:___________
Direction: Read and understand carefully the following word problems. Write your solution on
the Problem Solving Boxes provided below each problem.
1. Use the parallel circuit illustrated below to answer questions (a) - (c)
a. What is the voltage across each resistor?
Given Solution
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b. What is the current in each branch?
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c. What is the total current provided by the battery?
Given Solution
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2. Calculate the total resistance of a circuit containing each of the following combinations of
resistors.
a. Two 8 Ω resistors in parallel
Given Solution
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b. Two 12 Ω resistors in parallel
Given Solution
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