Which of the following circuits has two or more paths for the current to follow?

• A. Series circuit
• B. Open circuit
• C. Parallel circuit
• D. Short circuit

Answer: (C)

When current has two or more paths to take, the circuit is arranged in parallel. In a parallel setup, each component connects directly across the same two points of the circuit, forming separate branches. The current from the source can split at a junction, with part flowing through one branch and part through another. Because every branch shares the same voltage, you can add as many branches as you like and the total current just divides according to each branch’s resistance. This is different from a series circuit, where the current has to flow through every component in sequence, so there is only a single path. An open circuit breaks the path so no current can flow, and a short circuit creates a low-resistance bypass that often bypasses the load rather than providing multiple distinct paths for the intended components.