How do voltage and current behave in a parallel circuit?

In a parallel circuit, one of the defining characteristics is that the voltage across each component connected in parallel remains the same. This is because all components share the same two nodes, which means they experience the same potential difference, or voltage.

On the other hand, the total current in a parallel circuit is the sum of the currents flowing through each individual branch. Since each branch can have different resistances, the current will vary depending on the resistance of each path according to Ohm's Law (I = V/R). Thus, while the voltage remains constant across all branches, the current can differ, leading to the conclusion that voltage is constant and current varies in a parallel circuit.

This understanding is fundamental to analyzing circuit behavior and ensures proper functionality in electronic designs where parallel configurations are used.