What is a parallel circuit?

• A. A circuit with a single path to all components.
• B. A circuit where components are connected in series along one path.
• C. A circuit where components are connected side by side on multiple paths.
• D. A circuit that has zero resistance.

Answer: (C)

In a parallel circuit, the current has multiple paths to take. The components are connected side by side on separate branches, so each device can draw current independently and the voltage across each branch is the same. This arrangement lets several devices operate at once and keeps others working even if one path is disrupted. That’s why describing the circuit as components connected side by side on multiple paths matches the idea of a parallel layout. The other descriptions fit a single path where components line up in series, and a parallel circuit isn’t defined by zero resistance—that’s not a general characteristic of this arrangement.