Change in voltage due to additional source

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Queequeg
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Homework Statement



A voltage source connected to a circuit produces a voltage V, current I and has internal resistance R. What is the new voltage if an identical voltage source is added to the original:

a) in parallel
b) in series

Homework Equations



V=IR[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution



a. For a voltage source in parallel, the equivalent resistance is R/2. Each source provides a current I so the total current is I+I=2I. Therefore the new voltage is V_n=(2I)(R/2)=IR=V unchanged

b. The equivalent resistance is 2R and the current is I because they are in series, so the new voltage is V_n=I(2R)=2V doubled.
 
Queequeg said:

Homework Statement



A voltage source connected to a circuit produces a voltage V, current I and has internal resistance R. What is the new voltage if an identical voltage source is added to the original:

a) in parallel
b) in series

Homework Equations



V=IR[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution



a. For a voltage source in parallel, the equivalent resistance is R/2. Each source provides a current I so the total current is I+I=2I. Therefore the new voltage is V_n=(2I)(R/2)=IR=V unchanged

b. The equivalent resistance is 2R and the current is I because they are in series, so the new voltage is V_n=I(2R)=2V doubled.
What is the effect of the circuit to which the voltage supplies are connected? Presumably the voltage mentioned is meant to be the voltage across that load?

Circuit schematic: a battery E in series with internal resistor R on the left branch, current I flowing clockwise along the top wire, and load resistor RL on the right branch, with voltage V marked by a curved red arrow around the load.


When you connect an identical source in parallel with the first, I agree that the effective internal resistance is halved while the effective cell voltage remains the same. But how will that effect the voltage V that is measured across the load resistance?
 
The original question is badly worded. I suppose you had better assume the load is resistive.