In a cabinet, how does current behave differently in series versus parallel circuits?

In a cabinet, how does current behave differently in series versus parallel circuits?

• A. In series, voltage is the same across components; in parallel, current is the same through all components.
• B. In series, current is the same through all components; in parallel, voltage is the same across components and currents split.
• C. In series, current differs among components; in parallel, currents are equal.
• D. In series, voltage divides among components; in parallel, both current and voltage stay the same.

Answer: (B)

In a series circuit there is a single path for current, so the same current flows through every component. The total current is set by the overall resistance and the applied voltage (I = V total / R total), and the voltage is shared among the components (V = I × R for each part). A simple way to remember it: current stays constant through the chain, while voltage divides. In a parallel circuit there are multiple paths, so the voltage across each path is the same as the source. Each branch draws its own current according to its resistance (I = V / R for that branch), and the currents in all branches add up to the total current. So the voltage is the same across components in parallel, and currents split among the branches. This is why the statement describing series as having the same current through all components and parallel as having the same voltage across components with currents splitting is correct.

In a series circuit there is a single path for current, so the same current flows through every component. The total current is set by the overall resistance and the applied voltage (I = V total / R total), and the voltage is shared among the components (V = I × R for each part). A simple way to remember it: current stays constant through the chain, while voltage divides.

In a parallel circuit there are multiple paths, so the voltage across each path is the same as the source. Each branch draws its own current according to its resistance (I = V / R for that branch), and the currents in all branches add up to the total current. So the voltage is the same across components in parallel, and currents split among the branches.

This is why the statement describing series as having the same current through all components and parallel as having the same voltage across components with currents splitting is correct.