What is the Potential Difference between points a and b in this circuit?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the potential difference between points a and b in a circuit with resistors R1 (130 ohms) and R2 (75 ohms), and ideal batteries with EMFs E1 (6.0 V), E2 (5.5 V), and E3 (4.0 V). The user initially misinterprets the configuration of R1 and R2, questioning if they are in parallel. However, it is clarified that R1 is in parallel with E2, while R2 is not, confirming that R1 and R2 cannot be in parallel with each other. The correct approach to find the potential difference involves applying Kirchhoff's rules accurately, specifically focusing on the paths taken in the circuit.

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mr_coffee
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Hello everyone i have the follwoing circuit:
http://www.webassign.net/hrw/hrw7_27-34.gif I need to find the Potential Difference between a and b. I found the current of R1 and R2, and the questions says:
R1 = 130 , R2 = 75 , and the ideal batteries have emfs E1 = 6.0 V, E2 = 5.5 V, E3 = 4.0 V.

R1 current = .042A
R2 current = .0467

Im confused on what I should add u using kricofs rule? like do i just say
Va = -E2 -E3+ R1*i2 + Vb
Va -Vb = -E2 -E3+ R1*i2
But there is a resistor that looks like paraellel, but is that R1 parellel to R2?
 
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mr_coffee said:
But there is a resistor that looks like paraellel,

Not to me they don't!

but is that R1 parellel to R2?

Certainly not. To be in parallel they have to have the same potential difference across them no matter what the values of [itex]\mathcal{E}_1[/itex], [itex]\mathcal{E}_2[/itex], and [itex]\mathcal{E}_1[/itex] which is clearly not the case.

Also, note that [itex]R_1[/itex] is in parallel with [itex]\mathcal{E}_2[/itex], but that [itex]R_2[/itex] is not in parallel with [itex]\mathcal{E}_2[/itex]. Since they are not both in parallel with [itex]\mathcal{E}_2[/itex], there is no way that they could possibly be in parallel with each other.
 
mr_coffee said:
like do i just say
Va = -E2 -E3+ R1*i2 + Vb
Va -Vb = -E2 -E3+ R1*i2

That's not right. If you follow the path from [itex]a[/itex] to [itex]b[/itex] you do not go through [itex]R_1[/itex].
 

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