Which of the following is true about the parallel combination of resistors?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The total current through the circuit is equal to the sum of the individual currents through each resistor.
In a parallel combination, one end of every resistor is joined to one common point and the other ends to a second common point.
Option (1) The potential difference across all the resistors is different. — Incorrect. Every resistor is connected between the same two points, so the potential difference across each resistor is the same.
Option (2) The total current through the circuit is equal to the sum of the individual currents through each resistor. — Correct. Charge does not collect at the common point where the branches start. So the current \( I \) entering this point divides among the branches, \( I=I_1+I_2+I_3+\ldots \), and each branch carries \( V/R \).
Option (3) The total resistance is the sum of all the individual resistances. — Incorrect. Adding the resistances gives the equivalent resistance of a series combination. In parallel the reciprocals add, \( 1/R_{\mathrm{eq}}=1/R_1+1/R_2+\ldots \), so the equivalent resistance is less than the smallest resistance.