In an electrical circuit, what happens when you connect components in parallel?

When components are connected in parallel within an electrical circuit, the total resistance decreases compared to the individual resistances of each component. This is because the parallel arrangement provides multiple paths for electric current to flow, effectively reducing the overall resistance of the circuit. Additionally, each component connected in parallel receives the full voltage of the power source. This means that regardless of the individual resistance of each component, they all experience the same voltage level, which is equal to the voltage of the supply.

This configuration is advantageous in many applications. For instance, if one component fails in a parallel circuit, the other components continue to operate unaffected, maintaining functionality. Each parallel pathway allows currents to flow independently, which facilitates the use of devices that require the same voltage without compromising the performance of other components. Understanding the behavior of parallel circuits is vital for proper circuit design and analysis in electrical systems.