Voltage in parallel circuits

A voltmeter is connected to each side of a cell, battery or component. Voltage (or potential difference) is measured in volts (V). The voltage across a cell or battery measures the strength with which it can ‘push’ current around a circuit. The voltage across a component in an electric circuit measures the size of ‘push’ that is moving current through it. The voltage across each branch of a parallel circuit is the same as the voltage across the cell or battery.