Calculating current in series circuit

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the voltage in a series circuit when the switch is closed, the total resistance must be considered, including the internal resistance of the battery. The correct current is calculated as 0.577 Amps using the formula I = V/R, where V is the voltage and R is the total resistance. The voltage drop due to the internal resistance is calculated, and it is important to determine whether this drop adds to or subtracts from the battery's electromotive force (emf). The final voltage reading across the battery terminals is 5.77 volts. Understanding the role of internal resistance is crucial for accurate calculations in circuit analysis.
tweety1234
Messages
111
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



can anyone please guide me on how to do question 3b? I don't seem to get the right answer. how do i calculate the voltage when the switch is closed if i don't know what the current is?

btw the right answer is 5.77 volts


Homework Equations



v=IR?
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
You're given all the information needed to calculate the current.
 
Doc Al said:
You're given all the information needed to calculate the current.

okay so would it be like this ;

6/ 10 = 0.6 Amps

but can this value be used for the calculation when the switch is closed?
 
tweety1234 said:
okay so would it be like this ;

6/ 10 = 0.6 Amps
No. What's the total resistance in the circuit?
 
Doc Al said:
No. What's the total resistance in the circuit?

oh right, but i thought you don't include the internal resistance of the battery if the switch is open ?

6/10.4 = 0.577

0.577 x 0.4 = 0.23 volts

? is this correct?
 
Last edited:
oh i got it now , was suppose to multiply by 10 instead of 0.4

thanks for the help
 
tweety1234 said:
oh right, but i thought you don't include the internal resistance of the battery if the switch is open ?
This problem asks for the voltmeter reading when the switched is closed.

6/10.4 = 0.577
That's the current.

0577 x 0.4 = 0.23 volts
That's the voltage drop due to the internal resistance. But what's the full voltage reading across the battery terminals? (Does that 0.23 volts add or subtract from the battery's emf?)
 
Back
Top