If a light burns out in a parallel circuit, what happens to other lights that may be connected and why?

1 Answer
Steve J.
Jun 2, 2018

There is no change for the other bulbs.

Explanation:

All of the other bulbs still have their previous paths back to the power source.

Check out this sketch from mstworkbooks showing 3 parallel bulbs. One bulb at a time, look at each bulb and trace out the paths from

  • the 2 terminals of the bulb

to

  • the 2 terminals of the battery.

Now imagine that bulb L1 has burned out. The paths you previously traced from L2 and L3 to the battery are still in existence, would you agree? That means that the situation for L2 and L3 has not changed.

I hope this helps,
Steve

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