In a parallel circuit with two 6 Ω loads across a 12 V source, what is the current in each load?

In a parallel circuit with two 6 Ω loads across a 12 V source, what is the current in each load?

• A. 3 amperes in each branch.
• B. 1 ampere in each branch.
• C. 2 amperes in each branch.
• D. 4 amperes in each branch.

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, each path sees the full source voltage. Each 6 Ω load has 12 V across it, so the current in that branch is I = V/R = 12 V / 6 Ω = 2 A. Because both resistors are the same, they each carry 2 A. The total current from the source would be 4 A (2 A + 2 A), but per branch the current is 2 amperes.

In a parallel circuit, each path sees the full source voltage. Each 6 Ω load has 12 V across it, so the current in that branch is I = V/R = 12 V / 6 Ω = 2 A. Because both resistors are the same, they each carry 2 A. The total current from the source would be 4 A (2 A + 2 A), but per branch the current is 2 amperes.