# A household has two lamps connected in a parallel circuit. Describe how the potential difference across each lamp and the current through each lamp compare to the values in the rest of the circuit.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.2.2 Series and parallel circuits · Describe · 4 marks

> A household uses two lamps connected in parallel to the mains supply. Each lamp has a different resistance.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The potential difference across each lamp is the same as the potential difference of the power supply / each other
2. The current through each lamp can be different (because the lamps have different resistances)
3. The total current from the supply equals the sum of the currents through each lamp
4. The total resistance of the parallel circuit is less than the resistance of either individual lamp

## Key terms

- [parallel](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/parallel)
- [potential difference](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/potential-difference)
- [current](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/current)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-household-has-two-lamps-connected-48f9b255) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.