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14.2
Parallel Circuits
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 Kirchoff’s current law.
Because 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. If you know the resistance and voltage of a branch you can calculate the current with Ohm’s
Law (I=V/R).
1. Use the parallel circuit pictured right to answer
questions (a) - (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.
2. Use the parallel circuit pictured right to answer
questions (a) - (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.
3. Use the parallel circuit pictured right to answer
questions (a) - (d).
a. What is the voltage across each resistor?
b. What is the current in each branch?
c. What is the total current provided by the
batteries?
d. Use the total current and the total voltage to calculate the total resistance of the circuit.
4. Use the parallel circuit pictured right to answer
questions (a) - (c).
a. What is the voltage across each resistor?
b. What is the current in each branch?
c. What is the total current provided by the
battery?
Parallel Circuits WS 2 1/2
