Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

The student is incorrect. In a parallel circuit, the same voltage (20 V) acts across both resistors, but current depends on resistance: higher resistance means lower current (by Ohm's law, $I = V/R$).

Calculation:

$$I_P = \frac{V}{R_P} = \frac{20}{10} = 2 \text{ A}$$

$$I_Q = \frac{V}{R_Q} = \frac{20}{40} = 0.5 \text{ A}$$

Since P has lower resistance (10 Ω), more current flows through P (2 A), not Q (0.5 A). The student confused equal voltage with equal current — while voltage is the same across parallel branches, current is inversely proportional to resistance.

Source: Chapter 11, Section 11.6.2 — Resistors in Parallel

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• Examiners expect you to clearly state the student is wrong, give the reason (Ohm's law in parallel), and show both calculations.
• Key concept: In parallel, voltage is the same across all branches, but current divides — more current takes the path of least resistance.
• Write $I = V/R$ explicitly; don't skip steps in a calculation question.
• The phrase "inversely proportional to resistance" scores a conceptual mark even without numbers.