What happens to the total current in a parallel circuit if one branch is disconnected?

In a parallel circuit, each branch operates independently, meaning that if one branch is disconnected, the other branches still provide a path for current. When a branch is removed, the total current flowing from the source does decrease because there are fewer paths for the current to flow through. However, the remaining branches continue to function normally, allowing current to flow through them.

The total current divides among all active branches. When a branch is disconnected, the total current lessens since one path is removed, but the remaining paths still allow current to circulate. This is a crucial characteristic of parallel circuits, where the total current can be influenced by the number of branches but does not become zero unless all branches are disconnected. Therefore, while the total current decreases, the continued functioning of the remaining branches is an important feature of the parallel arrangement.