Current through one branch of a combined circuit
A 12 V battery is connected to a 4 Ω resistor in series with a parallel pair of 6 Ω and 3 Ω resistors. What current flows through the 3 Ω resistor?
Answer B: explanation for every choice
A
0.67 A is the current through the 6 Ω resistor.
B
Correct. The parallel pair is 2 Ω, so the total is 6 Ω and the current is 2 A. The voltage across the pair is 2 × 2 = 4 V, so I = 4/3 ≈ 1.33 A.
C
2 A is the total current, which divides between the branches.
D
This applies all 12 V across the 3 Ω resistor.
TakeawayFind the total current, then the voltage across the parallel section, then each branch current.
Equations usedOhm's lawResistors in series and parallel
See your set score →Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID cp121.