Which statement correctly compares a series and a parallel circuit?

Which statement correctly compares a series and a parallel circuit?

• A. In a series circuit, the same current flows through each component; in a parallel circuit, current divides among branches.
• B. In a series circuit, voltage is equal across all loads; in a parallel circuit, voltage is different across loads.
• C. In a series circuit, power is the same across all components; in a parallel circuit, total power equals product.
• D. In a parallel circuit, current is constant through each branch; in a series circuit, current adds up.

Answer: (A)

In a series circuit there is only one path for current, so the same current flows through every component along that path. In a parallel circuit there are multiple paths, so the current from the source splits among the branches; each branch carries its own current, and the total current is the sum of those branch currents. This distinction is what the statement captures. Understanding voltage helps reinforce it: in series, voltage is divided among components according to their resistance, so not all loads see the same voltage; in parallel, all branches experience the same voltage as the source. Power behavior follows: in series, the power across components varies with their resistances, not necessarily the same; in parallel, total power is the sum of the powers in each branch, not a product. And current behavior: in parallel, branch currents are generally different and add up to the total, while in series the current stays the same through each component and does not add.

In a series circuit there is only one path for current, so the same current flows through every component along that path. In a parallel circuit there are multiple paths, so the current from the source splits among the branches; each branch carries its own current, and the total current is the sum of those branch currents. This distinction is what the statement captures.

Understanding voltage helps reinforce it: in series, voltage is divided among components according to their resistance, so not all loads see the same voltage; in parallel, all branches experience the same voltage as the source. Power behavior follows: in series, the power across components varies with their resistances, not necessarily the same; in parallel, total power is the sum of the powers in each branch, not a product. And current behavior: in parallel, branch currents are generally different and add up to the total, while in series the current stays the same through each component and does not add.