TPC Basic Electricity and Electronics Practice Test

In a parallel circuit, the total current splits among the various paths based on their resistances. According to Ohm's law and the principles of current flow, current prefers to take the path of least resistance. When paths in a parallel circuit have different resistances, the one with lower resistance will allow more current to flow through it compared to paths with higher resistance.

This is driven by the fact that in a parallel arrangement, the voltage across all paths is the same. The relationship between current, voltage, and resistance is defined by Ohm's Law (I = V/R). For any given voltage, a lower resistance results in a higher current, thus the path with the lowest resistance will carry the largest fraction of the total current.

The reasoning highlights why the correct answer indicates that the highest fraction of current will flow through the path with lower resistance.