In a parallel circuit with resistors 6 Ω and 3 Ω across 120 V, what is the total current drawn from the source?

In a parallel circuit with resistors 6 Ω and 3 Ω across 120 V, what is the total current drawn from the source?

• A. 40 A
• B. 60 A
• C. 120 A
• D. 20 A

Answer: (B)

In a parallel circuit, the total current drawn from the source equals the sum of the currents through each resistor, while each resistor experiences the same supply voltage. So you can apply Ohm’s law to each branch with the same 120 V. Current through the 6 Ω branch: 120 V / 6 Ω = 20 A. Current through the 3 Ω branch: 120 V / 3 Ω = 40 A. Add them: 20 A + 40 A = 60 A. The total current from the source is 60 A. The other numbers would represent either just one branch’s current (not the total) or would imply a different total resistance.

In a parallel circuit, the total current drawn from the source equals the sum of the currents through each resistor, while each resistor experiences the same supply voltage. So you can apply Ohm’s law to each branch with the same 120 V.

Current through the 6 Ω branch: 120 V / 6 Ω = 20 A.

Current through the 3 Ω branch: 120 V / 3 Ω = 40 A.

Add them: 20 A + 40 A = 60 A.

The total current from the source is 60 A. The other numbers would represent either just one branch’s current (not the total) or would imply a different total resistance.