PhysicsElectricity

Resistors in Parallel

See why parallel resistance is always smaller than the smallest resistor.

R₁10 Ω

R₂15 Ω

Battery6 V

6Ω

I₁

0.6A

I₂

0.4A

Total current

I₁0.6

I₂0.4

Live circuit — electron flowI = 1 A

Current splits between the branches; the smaller resistor carries the faster (larger) flow, voltage stays common.

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Voltage is common in parallel; current divides inversely with resistance.

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