Which statement about parallel circuits is true?

Which statement about parallel circuits is true?

• A. The total current from the source equals the sum of currents through all branches
• B. The voltage across each branch is different
• C. The current in each branch is always equal to the total current
• D. The total current from the source is independent of branch currents

Answer: (D)

In parallel circuits, currents split among the branches, and the total current drawn from the source is the sum of the currents through each branch. Each branch draws current based on its own resistance (I_branch = V / R_branch), while the voltage across every branch is the same as the source voltage. Because the total current depends on how much current each branch draws, it cannot be independent of the branch currents. So the correct idea is that the total current from the source equals the sum of the currents in the branches.

In parallel circuits, currents split among the branches, and the total current drawn from the source is the sum of the currents through each branch. Each branch draws current based on its own resistance (I_branch = V / R_branch), while the voltage across every branch is the same as the source voltage. Because the total current depends on how much current each branch draws, it cannot be independent of the branch currents. So the correct idea is that the total current from the source equals the sum of the currents in the branches.