---
title: "Two lightbulbs, Bulb 1 and Bulb 2, are designed to operate at the same standard potential difference \\(V_0\\). Bulb 1 has a higher power rating than Bulb 2 (\\(P_1 > P_2\\)) when operated individually at \\(V_0\\). The two bulbs are connected in parallel across a power supply maintaining a constant potential difference \\(V_0\\), as shown in the schematic diagram. Which of the following correctly compares the current \\(I_1\\) through Bulb 1 to the current \\(I_2\\) through Bulb 2, and provides the correct physical justification for why Bulb 1 dissipates more power than Bulb 2 in this parallel configuration?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117290/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T06:45:16+00:00"
---

# Two lightbulbs, Bulb 1 and Bulb 2, are designed to operate at the same standard potential difference \(V_0\). Bulb 1 has a higher power rating than Bulb 2 (\(P_1 > P_2\)) when operated individually at \(V_0\). The two bulbs are connected in parallel across a power supply maintaining a constant potential difference \(V_0\), as shown in the schematic diagram. Which of the following correctly compares the current \(I_1\) through Bulb 1 to the current \(I_2\) through Bulb 2, and provides the correct physical justification for why Bulb 1 dissipates more power than Bulb 2 in this parallel configuration?

Two lightbulbs, Bulb 1 and Bulb 2, are designed to operate at the same standard potential difference \(V_0\). Bulb 1 has a higher power rating than Bulb 2 (\(P_1 > P_2\)) when operated individually at \(V_0\). The two bulbs are connected in parallel across a power supply maintaining a constant potential difference \(V_0\), as shown in the schematic diagram. Which of the following correctly compares the current \(I_1\) through Bulb 1 to the current \(I_2\) through Bulb 2, and provides the correct physical justification for why Bulb 1 dissipates more power than Bulb 2 in this parallel configuration?

![A clear schematic diagram of an electric circuit. A DC voltage source labeled V_0 is located on the left vertical wire, with its positive terminal at the top. From the top of the source, a horizontal wire runs to the right and splits at a junction into two parallel vertical branches. The left branch contains a circle with an internal looped filament, representing a lightbulb, labeled Bulb 1. The right branch contains an identical lightbulb symbol, labeled Bulb 2. The two branches rejoin at a bottom junction, which connects via a horizontal wire back to the negative terminal at the bottom of the DC source. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-circuit-1-1785825916-gF9H3Y.jpg)

- **A.** \(I_1 < I_2\), because Bulb 1 has a higher resistance than Bulb 2, which limits its current but allows it to transform energy at a higher rate according to \(P = I^2 R\).
- **B.** \(I_1 = I_2\), because both bulbs are connected in parallel across the same potential difference \(V_0\), forcing equal current through both branches regardless of resistance.
- **C.** \(I_1 > I_2\), because Bulb 1 has a smaller resistance than Bulb 2, and since both bulbs experience the same potential difference \(V_0\), Bulb 1 draws a larger current and dissipates more power via \(P = I V_0\).
- **D.** \(I_1 > I_2\), because Bulb 1 has a larger resistance than Bulb 2, causing more electrical potential energy to be transformed into thermal energy and light per unit charge as charge passes through.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117290/*