parallelseries
Is the voltage source in series with the resistor or is the voltage source in parallel with the resistor? If the voltage source is in parallel with the resistor, then why do they share the same current? If the voltage source is in series with the resistor, then why do they share the same voltage?
They are both in series and in parallel, correct?
Although you've awarded the answer points, I think you've missed a point. This is an excellent example of when to use a Thevenin equivalent, to wit:
simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
ETA: Bugger. Got the V2 equation wrong. Fixed it.
If you use ONE shared resistor it needs to be about (12-(5x2))/.030/3 =~~ 22R
BUT this is a bad idea as the 3 strings will not current share well. Better, as several say, is to use a series R per series string - souse 3 x 68 Ohms - one per string.
Best Answer
A Source & its loads always share the same current & voltage as they are source & loads. We say about parallel/series connection of them separately, not together. That means, we say either two (or more) loads are in series/parallel with each other or, two (or more) sources in series/parallel.