In a parallel circuit, what happens if one branch is disconnected?

In a parallel circuit, each branch operates independently of the others. This means that if one branch is disconnected, the current can still flow through the remaining branches. The voltage across each branch remains the same, and the total current flowing through the circuit is the sum of the currents through all the remaining branches.

When one branch is removed, the specific current that was flowing through that branch stops, but the overall circuit continues to function, allowing current to flow through other paths. Thus, the remaining components in those branches will still receive the same voltage, and the overall functioning of the circuit is maintained.

This independent behavior of branches in a parallel circuit is what distinguishes it from a series circuit, where disconnecting one component would stop the flow of current throughout the entire circuit.