A parallel circuit is a type of electrical circuit where the components are connected in a way that allows the current to flow through multiple paths. This means that each component has its own separate connection to the power source.
In a parallel circuit, the total current is divided among the different branches. This means that the current flowing into the circuit is equal to the current flowing out of the circuit. The amount of current flowing through each branch depends on the resistance of the component in that branch.
The total resistance in a parallel circuit is calculated differently than in a series circuit. In a parallel circuit, the total resistance is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each individual resistance. This means that the total resistance is always less than the smallest individual resistance.
In a parallel circuit, the voltage is the same across each branch. This means that the voltage across each component is equal to the voltage of the power source. This is because the components are connected in parallel, so they all have the same potential difference.
The main advantage of a parallel circuit is that if one component fails, the other components can still function. This is because in a parallel circuit, each component has its own separate connection to the power source. In a series circuit, if one component fails, the entire circuit will stop working.