What is a parallel circuit?

A parallel circuit is an electrical circuit in which components are connected in such a way that there are multiple paths for the flow of electric current. In a parallel circuit, the components, such as resistors, lamps, or other electrical devices, are connected across the same voltage source (like a battery or power supply), but they are connected in such a way that the current can flow through each component independently.

Key characteristics of a parallel circuit include:

Voltage is the same across all components: In a parallel circuit, all components are connected across the same voltage source, so they experience the same voltage. This means that the potential difference across each component is equal to the voltage of the source.

Current divides: Unlike series circuits where the same current flows through all components, in a parallel circuit, the total current supplied by the voltage source divides among the branches. Each branch or component in the parallel circuit has its own separate path for current to flow. The current flowing through each branch is determined by Ohm's law (I = V/R), where V is the voltage and R is the resistance of the component.

Resistance decreases: When you add more branches (components) to a parallel circuit, the overall resistance of the circuit decreases. This is because there are more paths for current to flow, and as a result, the total resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance in the circuit. Mathematically, the total resistance (R_total) of a parallel circuit can be calculated as:

1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ...

Independent operation: Components in a parallel circuit operate independently of each other. If one component fails or is removed, it does not affect the operation of the other components in the circuit.

Parallel circuits are commonly used in electrical wiring in buildings and in various electronic devices because they allow different components to operate independently and can provide redundancy and reliability. For example, the outlets in your home are typically wired in parallel so that if one device is disconnected or fails, it does not interrupt the operation of the others.