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

In a parallel circuit, each branch provides its own path for the current to flow. When one branch is disconnected, it essentially breaks the path for current in that specific branch, but it does not affect the other branches. The total current supplied by the source remains the same, but it is now distributed among the remaining connected branches.

As a result, the current in the other branches increases. This increase occurs because the total circuit resistance effectively decreases when one branch is removed, leading to a higher current for the remaining branches according to Ohm's law. The source still maintains the same voltage, so the available current increases in those connected paths.

Thus, the correct answer reflects the behavior of current in a parallel circuit, where the disconnection of one branch can lead to an increase in current in the remaining branches due to the redistribution of total current in response to the reduced resistance.