In a parallel circuit, how is the total current affected?

In a parallel circuit, the total current is indeed the sum of the currents flowing through each individual branch. This is due to the nature of parallel connections, where each branch operates independently and has the same voltage across it. As a result, the total current drawn from the power source is the aggregate of the currents in the separate pathways.

When there are multiple branches in a parallel circuit, each branch allows for its own amount of current based on the resistance of that branch. The more branches added, the greater the total current will be, assuming the voltage remains constant. Thus, the total current is equal to the sum of the currents through each branch, leading to increased overall current flow as more parallel paths are added. This is a foundational principle in circuit theory that emphasizes the additive nature of current in parallel configurations.