In a parallel circuit with a fixed voltage source, the voltage across each component is

In a parallel circuit with a fixed voltage source, the voltage across each component is

• A. Zero
• B. The sum of the voltages across other components
• C. Equal to the source voltage
• D. Half the source voltage

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, components are connected across the same two nodes, so they all experience the same voltage as the source. The fixed voltage source establishes this potential difference between those two nodes, and ideal wires introduce almost no drop, so every branch sees that same voltage. The current can split among branches depending on each path’s resistance, but the voltage does not add up or divide among parallel paths. Therefore the voltage across each component is equal to the source voltage (assuming an ideal source and wiring). A zero voltage would imply no potential difference, which isn’t the case here, and half the source voltage or the sum of other voltages would apply to series configurations, not parallel.

In a parallel circuit, components are connected across the same two nodes, so they all experience the same voltage as the source. The fixed voltage source establishes this potential difference between those two nodes, and ideal wires introduce almost no drop, so every branch sees that same voltage. The current can split among branches depending on each path’s resistance, but the voltage does not add up or divide among parallel paths. Therefore the voltage across each component is equal to the source voltage (assuming an ideal source and wiring). A zero voltage would imply no potential difference, which isn’t the case here, and half the source voltage or the sum of other voltages would apply to series configurations, not parallel.