- #1
n.hirsch1
- 14
- 0
Homework Statement
http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1122583/1/Walker.21.52.jpg
This is the drawing for the problem
The two questions are:
1) How much current flows through 6.0 V battery when the switch is closed?
2)How much current flows through 6.0 V battery when the switch is open?
Homework Equations
I1-I2-I3=0
Kirchoffs rules (charge conservation and loop rule)
The Attempt at a Solution
I attempted to set up two loops to solve for the current, the first one going around the outside and solving for I3:
0 = 6V - I1R1 - I3R3
I3 = 6V - 5/2I1
Then setting the second loop around the left side of the diagram and solving for I2:
0 = 9V - I1R1 + I2R2
I2 = 9V - 5/4I1
Then using I1 - I2 - I3 = 0 and plugging in the equations above and solving for I1, which I found to be 3.16 A, then continuing to algebraically solve and find I3 as -1.9A and I2 as 5.05 A.
From this point, I am not sure what to do or even if I got the above numbers correct. I tried adding I1 and I3 because that would be the loop that would be used for the 6V if the switch is closed, but that is not correct (1.26 A)
I could use some guidance, thank you very much in advance!