Parallel and series circuits

[huskydc]

How can you separate the series and parallel in this combination?? I'm confused... the question asks for equivalent resistance


I thought it's somelike like this:

1/R eq = 1/2R(1) + 1/R(1) + 1/R(2)

but it's wrong...help?

 

[Just some guy]

I can't see the picture, but for resistors in parallel 1/(total resistance) = sum of(1/induvidual resistances)

 

[quicknote]

In order to find the equivalent resistance in a combination of series and parallel circuits, you will need to use a combination of Ohm's law and the rules for calculating resistances in series and parallel.

First, you will need to identify the components that are in series and those that are in parallel. In a series circuit, the components are connected one after the other, so the current that flows through each component is the same. In a parallel circuit, the components are connected side by side, so the voltage across each component is the same.

To calculate the equivalent resistance for components in series, you simply add the individual resistances together. In your example, the equivalent resistance would be R(eq) = R(1) + R(1) + R(2).

To calculate the equivalent resistance for components in parallel, you will need to use the equation 1/R(eq) = 1/R(1) + 1/R(2) + 1/R(3) + ... where R(eq) is the equivalent resistance and R(1), R(2), R(3), etc. are the individual resistances.

In your example, if R(1) and R(2) are in parallel, the equivalent resistance would be R(eq) = 1/(1/R(1) + 1/R(2)). If R(1) and R(2) are in series and R(3) is in parallel with them, the equivalent resistance would be R(eq) = R(1) + R(2) + 1/(1/R(3)).

Using these rules and equations, you can calculate the equivalent resistance for any combination of series and parallel circuits. I hope this helps to clarify the process for you.