Question

1. which statements describe the current in a parallel circuit? select all that apply. the current that goes through each resistor decreases farther away from the battery. the sum of the currents through each path in the circuit is equal to the total current that leaves the source. the current that runs through the circuit divides and a part of it passes through each resistor. the sum of the current through each resistor is greater than the current that leaves the source.

Explanation:

• In a parallel circuit, the total current \(I_{total}\) is the sum of the currents through each branch (\(I_1 + I_2+\cdots+I_n=I_{total}\)). So, the statement "The sum of the currents through each path in the circuit is equal to the total current that leaves the source" is correct.
• Also, when current enters a parallel - section of a circuit, it divides among the branches. So, "The current that runs through the circuit divides and a part of it passes through each resistor" is correct.
• The current through a resistor in a parallel circuit depends on the resistance of the resistor (\(I = \frac{V}{R}\), where \(V\) is the voltage across the resistor, which is the same for all resistors in parallel). It does not depend on the distance from the battery. So, "The current that goes through each resistor decreases farther away from the battery" is incorrect.
• From \(I_1 + I_2+\cdots+I_n=I_{total}\), we know that "The sum of the current through each resistor is greater than the current that leaves the source" is incorrect.

Answer:

• The sum of the currents through each path in the circuit is equal to the total current that leaves the source.
• The current that runs through the circuit divides and a part of it passes through each resistor.