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Cefari
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Homework Statement
In the figure, the current of the circuit in the 8 ohm resistor is 0.5 A. What is the current in the 2 ohm resistor?
Figure http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5576/helpfk7.jpg
I'm trying to solve for the current in a complicated circuit. I'm given R1 = 16ohms, R2 = 8ohms, R3 = 20ohms, R4 = 6ohms, and R5 = 2ohms. Also, the question for the problem states that the current in R2 = 0.5 A
Homework Equations
Ohms Law: Potential Difference = Current(Resistance)
Formula for Resistors in Series: Rt = R1 + R2 + R3...
Formula for Resistors in Paralell: 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm not sure how to go about finding the current through R5 without knowing the voltage of the battery. But I think I may be able to figure this out by trying to compare R2's current with the entire circuit.
Idea 1:
R1 is twice R2, and being in parallel, R1 receives half R2's current.
So R1 has a current of .25 A.
Then from here somehow figure out how to find the current in R5.
Idea 2:
Using Ohm's law I can find the voltage in R2 V=0.5(8), V=4v.
Then applying it to R5, 4v=I(2), I=8 A.
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