BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In a parallel circuit, the current does indeed split according to the resistance of each branch. This behavior is rooted in the fundamental principles of electricity and Ohm's Law. In a parallel configuration, each branch has its own path for the current to flow, which means each can have a different resistance.

When the total voltage across the parallel branches is the same, the amount of current flowing through each branch can be calculated using Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R). Therefore, in branches with lower resistance, a greater amount of current will flow compared to branches with higher resistance. This results in a distribution of current that is inversely proportional to the resistance of each branch; high-resistance branches carry less current, while low-resistance branches carry more.

This understanding of current distribution in parallel circuits is critical for circuit design and analysis, especially in applications where balanced load or specific current requirements are necessary.