Why does current split between branches of a parallel circuit, but voltage remains the same for each branch?

Current is the rate of flow of charge in a circuit; you can imagine the flow of electrons as water flowing through a pipe. If the pipe splits into two, some of the flow will go through one pipe and some through the other. The flow in either pipe is less than the flow in the original pipe. Similarly, if the electrons travelling round a circuit come to a branch in the circuit, then some electrons will go through one wire and some through the other. Therefore, the rate of flow of charge is reduced in each branch compared to the original wire (electrons have a fixed charge and will be travelling at the same average speed). So current splits between branches in a parllel circuit.

Voltage is a measure of energy (in Joules) per unit charge (in Coulombs). As each electron has the same charge, each electron is carrying the same amount of energy, so the voltage across each branch of the parallel circuit will be the same because the voltage doesn't epend on the number of electrons in each branch. Returning to the water flow analogy, if a flow of water split into two before going over a waterfall. the water in both streams would still fall the same distance before meeting again at the bottom.

RA
Answered by Rose A. Physics tutor

36318 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A railway car of mass m1 travelling at a velocity of v1 collides with a second car of mass m2 travelling at v2 and the two join together. What is their final velocity?


If two cars are moving, labelled car A and car B. Car A moves at 15 m/s and B at 10 m/s but car B also accelerated at 2 m/s/s. If the two both travel for ten seconds, which car will travel further?


A given star has a peak emission wavelength of 60nm, lies 7.10*10^19m away and the intensity of its electromagnetic radiation reaching the Earth is 3.33*10^-8Wm^-2. Calculate the star's diameter


Name an experiment proving that light is wave and one that is proving that light consists of particles.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning