Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Parallel circuits are circuits where components are connected across multiple paths. In parallel circuits, the voltage across each component is the same, and adding resistors decreases total resistance.
Related terms
Current Divider Rule: The current divider rule states that when resistors are connected in parallel, the current divides proportionally based on their conductance values.
Kirchhoff's Laws: Kirchhoff's laws are two fundamental principles used to analyze electrical circuits. The first law (Kirchhoff's current law) states that the sum of currents entering a junction is equal to the sum of currents leaving it. The second law (Kirchhoff's voltage law) states that the sum of voltages around any closed loop in a circuit is zero.
Equivalent resistance refers to a single resistor value that represents all resistors connected in parallel within a circuit. It simplifies calculations for analyzing parallel circuits.