Find the current through each resistor HELPP!!?
I need help finding the current through each resistor in the following circuit: http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1… The resistors have the following values: 4 ohms, 6 ohms, 8 ohms, 24 ohms (middle), and 24 ohms (far right). I added all the resistances together first and then tried to rebuild the circuit, but I still didn't get the right answer. Can someone please assist me? Thank you!
1 Answers
Yes, do the resistors first. 8 and 24 ohms in parallel make 6 ohms. Then 6 ohms and 6 ohms in series make 12 ohms. Then12 ohms and 24 ohms in parallel make 8 ohms. Finally 8 ohms and 4 ohms in series make 12 ohms total resistance. 24 V/12 ohms = 2 amps total current and all of this goes through the 4 ohm resistor. There’s one answer.
2 amps across 4 ohms makes an 8 V drop across that resistor so there’s 24-8 = 16 V across the rightmost 24 ohm resistor. 16 V / 24 ohms = 2/3 amp through that resistor. That’s another answer.
The remaining 2 – 2/3 = 4/3 amps all go through the center branch, and all of that goes through the 6 ohm resistor. There’s another answer.
4/3 amp across 6 ohms makes an 8 V drop across the 6 ohm resisitor, leaving 16 – 8 = 8 V across the 8 and 24 ohm resistors. 8V / 8 ohms = 1 amp through the 8 ohm resistor. Another answer.
Finally, 8 V / 24 ohms = 1/3 amp across the 24 ohm resistor in the middle. Check to see that the currents all add up.
Sometimes you have to write out the Kirchoff’s Law equations and grind out a system of equations. Not here. Most of the time you can use Ohm’s law and the parallel+series formulas for resistance to solve a network. Learn how to do that on these simple problems, so you’ll save time and brains for the harder ones.
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