ASVAB · Circuits and Ohm's Law

In a parallel circuit, what is true about the voltage across each branch?

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Correct answer

It is the same across each parallel branch

A It is different for each branch
B It is the same across each parallel branch
C It is always zero
D It decreases along the circuit

Why this is the answer

In a PARALLEL circuit, the VOLTAGE is the SAME across each parallel branch (each branch gets the full source voltage). ASVAB Electronics Information tests circuit types.

Parallel circuits: same voltage across each branch; current divides among branches; total resistance is LESS than the smallest individual resistance; if one branch fails, others keep working.

Series circuits: same current through all; voltage divides among components. Household wiring is parallel (so each outlet gets full voltage and devices work independently). Knowing voltage is equal across parallel branches is commonly tested.

Source: ASVAB Electronics Information — Parallel Circuits

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About this topic: Circuits and Ohm's Law

Circuits and Ohm's Law questions ask you to calculate voltage, current, resistance or power, and to understand series versus parallel circuits — how resistance adds in series and reduces in parallel, and what happens when one component fails. This is one of 17 Electronics Information questions on circuits and ohm's law, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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In a parallel circuit, what is true about the voltage across each branch?

Why this is the answer

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About this topic: Circuits and Ohm's Law

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