Which term describes a circuit with two or more branches for current to move through, like in a house?

• A. Parallel circuit
• B. Series circuit
• C. Open circuit
• D. Short circuit

Answer: (A)

When there are two or more paths for current to travel, that setup is a parallel circuit. The source feeds multiple branches, so the current can split and flow through each branch, and the voltage across every branch is the same (in ideal conditions). The total current drawn from the source is the sum of the currents in all the branches. This arrangement is why house wiring keeps lights, outlets, and appliances at the same voltage while allowing them to operate independently—even if one path is turned off, the others keep working. In contrast, a series circuit has only one path for current, an open circuit has a break and no current flows, and a short circuit creates a very low-resistance path that bypasses loads.