I have a question about the junction rule for simple dc circuits.
I have a battery connected to 1 lamp, then split to 2 lamps in parallel and back to the battery.
For easy numbers, if 1 amp flows through the first lamp, then 0.5 amps flow through each lamp in parallel (if all lamps are ideal).
Using the junction rule, I know that current into each junction or node must equal the current out of each junction or node. It is simply a conservation of charge in that area.
How does that reconcile with a fields approach? I might have some incorrect notions below. I am open to correction.
The batteries produce a field that move charges already present in the wire. If all wires are of the same material, diameter, length (and so on) why is the current less in the parallel branches than in the wires before and after the parallel branch? Does something make the field in the parallel branches smaller than the field in the series portion before and after the parallel branch? I don't see it.
Thanks for any input.
Paul.