Calculating Current in a Series-Parallel Circuit with Resistors

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the current through a 10 Ohm resistor in a circuit where two 16 Ohm resistors are connected in parallel and then in series with the 10 Ohm resistor, powered by a 9 V battery.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of overall resistance for the parallel and series components, questioning the correctness of the initial approach and the addition of resistances.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the method for calculating total resistance, with some participants confirming and correcting each other's statements. There is a mix of agreement and correction regarding the addition of resistances.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through potential misunderstandings in the calculations and the implications of their results, particularly focusing on the addition of resistances in the circuit setup.

PBryan833
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Homework Statement


Two 16 Ohm resistors connected in parallel are then connected in series to a 10 Ohm resistor. The entire setup is connected to a 9 V battery. What is the current through the 10 Ohm resistor?

Homework Equations


V=IR
I1+I2=It
1/Rt= 1/R1 + 1/R2

The Attempt at a Solution



So I am not sure if i am correct. If the two 16 ohm resistors were connected parallel, then wouldn't their overall resistance be 8 ohm because 2(1/16)= 1/8 which 8 is Rtotal? Then after you find Rtotal you add it to the 10 ohm resistor to get a total resistance of 16 ohm. From this, you can solve using the equation V=IR. Plug in 9 for V and 16 for R and you end up getting I= 0.5 . Is this the correct answer and is my approach correct? Thanks for the help everyone!
 
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PBryan833 said:
wouldnt their overall resistance be 8 ohm
Right.
PBryan833 said:
add it to the 10 ohm resistor to get a total resistance of 16 ohm
Wrong.
 
haruspex said:
Right.

Wrong.

How do I get the overall resistance?
 
PBryan833 said:
How do I get the overall resistance?
By adding the resistances correctly. 8+10=?
 
haruspex said:
By adding the resistances correctly. 8+10=?

Oh yes that is what I meant, bad addition. So is the rest of the way I used to solve this problem correct?
 
PBryan833 said:
Oh yes that is what I meant, bad addition. So is the rest of the way I used to solve this problem correct?
Yes.
 
haruspex said:
Yes.

Thank you so much!
 

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