GCSE Physics

Current in Parallel Circuits

Whereas the current flowing through a series circuit is the same everywhere, the current flowing through a parallel circuit depends upon where in the circuit the current is measured.

Let's see how this works by putting some ammeters* in a parallel circuit as follows:

Two identical lamps in parallel

Ammeter 1 reads 1.5 A flowing through Lamp 1.
Ammeter 2 also reads 1.5 A as Lamp 2 is identical to Lamp 1.

Now we connect a third ammeter next to the cell:

Two identical lamps connected in parallel with ammeters

What current will Ammeter 3 read?


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