Question

The combined equivalent resistance across the main line in a parallel circuit can be found by dividing the common voltage across the parallel resistances by the total current of all branches. a.True b.False

Answer 1

The statement is false because the equivalent resistance in a parallel circuit is found using the reciprocal sum of the individual resistances, not by dividing voltage by total current.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that the combined equivalent resistance across the main line in a parallel circuit can be found by dividing the common voltage across the parallel resistances by the total current of all branches is false.

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across all resistors is the same, but the current flowing through each parallel resistor can be different. The total equivalent resistance (Rp) is found by using the reciprocal formula:

• 1/Rp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn

This means that Rp is always less than the smallest resistor in the parallel network. To find the total current in the circuit, you must first determine the equivalent resistance and then use Ohm's law where the total current I is given by I = V/Rp, where V is the common voltage.