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Physics Paper 1 · P2 · Lesson 2.6

Parallel circuits: separate branches

Each branch has the same voltage; current splits at junctions.

Key ideas1 of 3

Parallel gives separate paths

Components in parallel are on separate branches. Current splits at a junction and rejoins later. If one branch breaks, another complete branch can still work.

Two identical parallel branches carry 1 A each; total current in the common part is 2 A. Moving markers split between the branches and rejoin.

This example has identical branches: 2 A splits into 1 A and 1 A.

Next: Diodes, LDRs and thermistors →
Topic resources and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Extra calculation practice · A4 revision sheet

Start with lessons 2.1–2.6 for the circuit basics. Lesson 2.15 offers extra calculation practice. The P2 specification content is shared by Foundation and Higher Tier; extra practice is not Higher Tier-only.

AQA Combined Science Trilogy specification · 6.2.2. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Circuit animations are simplified; motion is deliberately slowed. Measurements and example values are illustrative. All practical circuits use suitable supervised low-voltage apparatus.

Photographs: Photograph of the inside of a UK plug by Alby Reid, Public domain, released by the copyright holder; Electricity pylons near Grafham Water by Mat Fascione, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photoresistor 2 by oomlout, CC BY-SA 2.0. Images displayed without cropping or alteration.