What is the voltage across each resistor in a parallel circuit of four identical resistors connected to a 24 V source?

What is the voltage across each resistor in a parallel circuit of four identical resistors connected to a 24 V source?

• A. 6 V
• B. 12 V
• C. 48 V
• D. 24 V

Answer: (D)

In a parallel circuit, all components share the same voltage as the source because each resistor is connected directly across the two terminals. Therefore, the voltage across each resistor is the full source voltage, regardless of how many resistors are added in parallel. Here, that means 24 V appears across every resistor. Even though four identical resistors in parallel increase the total current drawn (the currents through each resistor add up), they do not change the voltage seen by each one. Using Ohm’s law, each resistor would draw I = V/R, so all four carry the same current if their resistances are identical, and the total current is the sum of those four equal currents. The option values of 6 V or 12 V would imply a smaller voltage than the source, and 48 V would exceed the source—both impossible in an ideal parallel circuit.

In a parallel circuit, all components share the same voltage as the source because each resistor is connected directly across the two terminals. Therefore, the voltage across each resistor is the full source voltage, regardless of how many resistors are added in parallel. Here, that means 24 V appears across every resistor.

Even though four identical resistors in parallel increase the total current drawn (the currents through each resistor add up), they do not change the voltage seen by each one. Using Ohm’s law, each resistor would draw I = V/R, so all four carry the same current if their resistances are identical, and the total current is the sum of those four equal currents. The option values of 6 V or 12 V would imply a smaller voltage than the source, and 48 V would exceed the source—both impossible in an ideal parallel circuit.