Ham Amateur Radio Technician Practice Exam

How does the total current relate to the individual currents in a circuit of parallel resistors?

1. It equals the maximum current through a single branch

2. It is the product of individual branch currents

3. It equals the sum of the currents through each branch

4. It is the difference between the largest and smallest current

The correct answer is: It equals the sum of the currents through each branch

The relationship between total current and individual currents in a circuit of parallel resistors is based on the principle of conservation of charge. In a parallel circuit, each resistor branch allows current to flow independently, and the total current flowing into the circuit must equal the sum of the currents flowing through each individual branch. This is due to the fact that the voltage across all the parallel branches is the same, which means that each branch can carry its own specific current determined by its resistance according to Ohm's law. Therefore, when you combine these individual currents, the total current entering the junction point in the circuit is indeed the sum of the currents through each branch. This principle is fundamental in circuit analysis and is essential for understanding how current behaves in parallel configurations, ensuring that the design and calculations for circuits can effectively manage power distribution.