Parallel Circuits

Many paths, same voltage

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Parallel: same voltage across each branch, and the branch currents add.
• $\frac{1}{R} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}$, so adding branches lowers the total resistance.
• Household wiring is parallel, so appliances work independently.

Steps

1. Side by side
2. Branches
3. Parallel rules
4. Combine
5. Total current
6. Your house