Which circuit type allows the current to follow multiple pathways?

A parallel circuit allows the current to follow multiple pathways. In this type of circuit, the components are connected across common voltage points, providing multiple paths for the current to flow. If one pathway is disrupted, current can still flow through the other pathways, making the system more resilient. This characteristic is essential in many applications where reliability and flexibility are important.

In contrast, a series circuit only allows current to flow along a single path. If any component in a series circuit fails, the entire circuit is interrupted. A closed circuit refers to a complete electrical loop with no breaks, but it does not specify the configuration of the components (series or parallel). A complex circuit combines elements of both series and parallel circuits but does not inherently imply that there are multiple pathways like a parallel circuit does.