What determines the current flowing through components in a parallel circuit?

In a parallel circuit, the current flowing through each branch is determined by the voltage across the components and the resistance of each individual component. In such a configuration, the voltage across all branches is the same, so Ohm’s Law (I = V/R) applies to each component separately.

Each component has its own resistance, which directly influences how much current flows through it when the total voltage is applied. Components with lower resistance will allow more current to flow, while those with higher resistance will allow less current to flow. Therefore, the current in each branch is determined by the individual resistances of the components in that branch. This concept is crucial for understanding how current is distributed in a parallel circuit, emphasizing the importance of component characteristics in determining overall circuit behavior.