Lecture Notes: Parallel Circuit - Total Resistance and Current Division

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on parallel circuits, total resistance Rp, the reciprocal relationship, and how to compute branch currents using the parallel-resistance formula and the example references.

Rp

Total resistance of resistors in parallel; governed by 1/Rp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + … (for n resistors).

Reciprocal

The inverse of a number; in parallel resistance, the reciprocals of the individual resistances add to give 1/Rp.

1/Rp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + …

The formula used to calculate the total resistance in a parallel network from the individual resistances.

Parallel circuit

A circuit in which resistors are connected in parallel (across the same two nodes), causing current to divide among the branches.

I_i (branch current in parallel)

Current through branch i; in many cases Ii = V/Ri, where V is the voltage across the branch.

Figure 7.25 (page 167)

Diagram showing a parallel network of three resistors and illustrating how to determine each branch current.

Current divider (in parallel circuits)

Principle that current in a parallel network splits among branches; currents can be found using Ii = V/Ri when the branch voltage V is known.