In a parallel circuit, what is true about the total current?

In a parallel circuit, the total current is indeed the sum of the current readings in all branches. This is because, in a parallel configuration, each branch provides an independent path for the current to flow. As additional branches are added to the circuit, each one allows more charge to pass through simultaneously. Hence, the total current flowing from the source is the combined flow through all the branches.

This characteristic distinguishes parallel circuits from series circuits, where the total current remains constant throughout all components. The independence of each branch in parallel leads to the additive nature of the currents, reflecting directly how current flows through multiple paths. Each branch can draw its own amount of current based on its resistance and the overall voltage across the circuit. Therefore, the total current in the circuit equals the sum of the currents in each individual branch.