Final answer:
In a parallel circuit, each resistor experiences the same voltage, the total current is divided among branches, and the overall resistance is lower than any individual resistance. The current is larger for each device compared to series connection, and Kirchhoff's laws can be used to analyze complex circuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with a parallel circuit with more than one load, there are specific characteristics for voltage, amperage (current), and resistance that are important to understand. First, each resistor in a parallel circuit has the same full voltage of the source applied to it. This ensures that devices operate independently and are supplied with consistent voltage. Secondly, in a parallel circuit, the total current is divided among the various branches.
The current for each device is typically larger than if the devices were connected in series. This means most devices in parallel connections can draw the current they need without affecting the current available to other devices. As for resistance, the total resistance in a parallel circuit is lower than any single resistance. This is because the addition of more parallel branches provides more paths for the current to flow, effectively reducing the overall resistance.
The formula for calculating the total resistance in parallel requires taking the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each individual resistance. The behavior of currents and voltages in a circuit with parallel connections is further detailed by Kirchhoff's laws, which include the loop rule that could be used to analyze complex circuits with internal battery resistance or nonohmic resistors.