If one branch draws more current, the total current in the circuit will increase.

If one branch draws more current, the total current in the circuit will increase.

• A. Decrease
• B. Increase
• C. Fluctuate randomly
• D. Stay the same

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, the current from the source splits among the branches, and the total current is the sum of all branch currents. If one branch draws more current, that adds more to the total flowing from the source, so the total current increases. The voltage across each branch is the same, and a branch’s current follows I = V / R_branch, so a drop in that branch’s resistance or a condition that pushes more current through it will raise its current and thus raise the total. That means options suggesting a decrease, random fluctuation, or no change don’t fit the situation. The total current must go up when a branch’s current increases.

In a parallel circuit, the current from the source splits among the branches, and the total current is the sum of all branch currents. If one branch draws more current, that adds more to the total flowing from the source, so the total current increases. The voltage across each branch is the same, and a branch’s current follows I = V / R_branch, so a drop in that branch’s resistance or a condition that pushes more current through it will raise its current and thus raise the total.

That means options suggesting a decrease, random fluctuation, or no change don’t fit the situation. The total current must go up when a branch’s current increases.