In a circuit, what happens to the total current as more branches are added in parallel?

When more branches are added in parallel to a circuit, the total current increases. This occurs because each parallel branch provides an additional pathway for the current to flow. According to Ohm's Law, the total current in a parallel circuit is the sum of the currents through each branch.

As the number of branches increases, the overall resistance of the circuit decreases, allowing more current to flow from the power source. The total current can be calculated using the formula:

[ I_{\text{total}} = I_1 + I_2 + I_3 + ... + I_n ]

where ( I_n ) is the current flowing through each individual branch. Since each branch effectively lowers the total resistance, Ohm's Law (( V = I \times R )) indicates that for a constant voltage, if the resistance decreases, the current must increase in order to maintain the relationship defined by the law.

Thus, adding branches in parallel directly contributes to an increase in total current, solidifying that the total current indeed increases with each additional branch.