When two resistors are connected in parallel to a voltage source, the voltage across each resistor is the same as the source voltage.

When two resistors are connected in parallel to a voltage source, the voltage across each resistor is the same as the source voltage.

• A. It is the sum of the two drops
• B. It is the average of the two drops
• C. It depends on resistor values
• D. It is equal to the source voltage

Answer: (D)

In a parallel arrangement, both resistors are connected directly across the same two nodes, so the voltage source fixes the potential difference between those nodes. That means the same voltage is across each resistor, equal to the source voltage. How much current flows through each resistor will depend on its resistance (I = V/R), and the total current from the source is the sum of the branch currents. The other ideas don’t fit because the voltage across components in parallel does not add up or average; adding voltages is a concept from series circuits. Saying the voltage depends on resistor values isn’t correct in an ideal parallel setup, since the source sets the voltage across all parallel branches.

In a parallel arrangement, both resistors are connected directly across the same two nodes, so the voltage source fixes the potential difference between those nodes. That means the same voltage is across each resistor, equal to the source voltage. How much current flows through each resistor will depend on its resistance (I = V/R), and the total current from the source is the sum of the branch currents.

The other ideas don’t fit because the voltage across components in parallel does not add up or average; adding voltages is a concept from series circuits. Saying the voltage depends on resistor values isn’t correct in an ideal parallel setup, since the source sets the voltage across all parallel branches.