Understanding Parallel Connection of Light Bulbs

If three light bulbs of different wattage are connected in parallel to a battery:

(a) the voltage drop across each bulb will be the same.

(b) the current in each light bulb will be the same.

(c) the resistance in each light bulb will be the same.

(d) the power consumed by each light bulb will be the same.

(e) the light output of each bulb will be the same.

Final answer:

The voltage drop across each light bulb will be the same, while current, resistance, and power can vary for each bulb because these are determined by the characteristics of each individual bulb, which in turn define the light output.

Explanation:

If three light bulbs of different wattage are connected in parallel to a battery, the correct answer is (a) the voltage drop across each bulb will be the same. In a parallel circuit, all components are connected across the same potential difference (voltage), so each bulb experiences the same voltage from the battery.

As for current, resistance, and power: each bulb may draw a different current depending on its resistance. The bulb with the lowest resistance (typically the one with the highest wattage) will draw more current. This is based on Ohm's Law (V=IR), which tells us that for a given voltage (V), the current (I) that flows through a resistor (the light bulb in this case) is inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the resistor.

In terms of power, it is determined by both the voltage and the current flowing through the bulb, described by the equation Power (P) = Voltage (V) × Current (I). Since we have established that each bulb can draw different currents due to their differing resistances, they will each consume different amounts of power. Power and light output are also correlated—bulbs with higher power ratings typically emit more light.

If three light bulbs of equal wattage are connected in parallel to a battery, the relationship between the voltage drop, current, resistance, power consumed, and light output of each bulb will be as follows:

(a) The voltage drop across each bulb will be the same.

(b) The current in each light bulb will be the same.

(c) The resistance in each light bulb will be the same.

(d) The power consumed by each light bulb will be the same.

(e) The light output of each bulb will be the same.