If one leg of a parallel circuit develops an open, what will happen to the total current?

In a parallel circuit, multiple paths are available for the current to flow. Each leg offers a separate route for the electrical current. If one leg of the parallel circuit develops an open, it means that the current can no longer flow through that particular path. However, the remaining legs of the circuit will still allow current to flow through them.

The total current in the circuit is determined by the sum of the currents flowing through each of the individual paths. When one leg opens, the overall resistance of the circuit increases due to the reduction in the number of available paths. This leads to a decrease in the total current flowing in the circuit, since the total current is inversely related to the total resistance.

Thus, the total current will decrease when one leg of a parallel circuit goes open, confirming that the choice indicating a decrease is the correct answer.