In a parallel circuit, the total current flowing from the source is divided among the various paths (or branches) available in the circuit. Each branch has its own resistance, which affects how much current flows through it.
The key principle here is that voltage across each branch in a parallel circuit is the same. According to Ohm’s Law (V = IR), the current through a branch can be calculated as:
- Ibranch = V/Rbranch
Where:
- Ibranch is the current through a specific branch.
- V is the voltage across the branches (which is constant in parallel circuits).
- Rbranch is the resistance of that branch.
For example, if you have two parallel branches, one with a resistance of 2 ohms and the other with a resistance of 4 ohms, the current will be higher in the branch with the lower resistance. This means that more current flows through the 2-ohm branch than through the 4-ohm branch.
The total current supplied by the source can be expressed as:
- Itotal = I1 + I2 + … + In
Where Itotal is the total current, and I1, I2, …, In are the currents through each of the branches. In this way, understanding how current divides in a parallel circuit helps in analyzing and designing electrical systems effectively.