Two bulbs are connected in parallel to a 12-volt battery. One bulb has a resistance of 6 ohms and the other bulb has a resistance of 2 ohms. Technician A says that only the 2-ohm bulb will light because all of the current will flow through the path with the least resistance and no current will flow through the 6-ohm bulb. Technician B says that the 6-ohm bulb will be dimmer than the 2-ohm bulb. Which technician is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In parallel circuits, current divides among the branches according to their resistances, but all branches receive the same voltage. Both bulbs will light up because current will flow through both paths, not just the path of least resistance. The 2-ohm bulb will draw more current than the 6-ohm bulb (due to Ohm's law: I=V/R), making the 2-ohm bulb brighter, not the only one to light. This means Technician B's statement is correct.

Two Bulbs Are Connected in Parallel to a 12-Volt Battery