# A student connects two identical lamps in parallel across a battery. Explain how the current and voltage in this parallel circuit compare to a circuit where only one of the same lamps is connected across the same battery.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 1.1 Electric circuits · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The voltage across each lamp in the parallel circuit is the same as the voltage across the single lamp (equal to the battery voltage / e.m.f.)
2. Each lamp therefore carries the same current as the single lamp did (because the voltage across each lamp is unchanged)
3. The total current drawn from the battery is greater in the parallel circuit than with a single lamp
4. This is because there are now two separate paths for the current to flow, so more current can flow overall

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" 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-student-connects-two-identical-lamps-6aca7be0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.