What is the characteristic of a parallel circuit?

A parallel circuit is defined by having multiple paths for current to flow. This configuration allows electric current to divide among several branches, with each branch being an independent pathway for the electrons. If one branch is interrupted (like if a light bulb burns out), the current can still continue to flow through the remaining branches, demonstrating the resilience and versatility of parallel circuits. This characteristic is crucial for many applications where reliability is key; if one component fails, others remain functional.

In contrast, circuits with a single path for current, like series circuits, do not allow for this kind of redundancy. The other options suggest characteristics that do not accurately describe a parallel circuit. For instance, a higher voltage is not inherent to parallel circuits; rather, the voltage across each branch remains the same as the supply voltage. Additionally, a parallel circuit is characterized by the presence of connected devices, making the option about having no connected devices incorrect as it directly contradicts the definition of a parallel circuit.