Circuit Segment (Two sources with a resistor in between)

[Bluestribute]

Homework Statement

If a current I=4 A exists between points a and b, R1=6 [PLAIN]http://loncapa.mines.edu/adm/jsMath/fonts/cmr10/alpha/100/char0A.png, R2=6 [PLAIN]http://loncapa.mines.edu/adm/jsMath/fonts/cmr10/alpha/100/char0A.png, V1=16 V, and V2=6 V,the voltage difference Va−Vb is

Homework Equations

V=IR

The Attempt at a Solution

Well, I do V=IR for the first section up to source V1 (so V=4(6)), but once I get in between, I don't know how to deal with the inside having two voltage sources bombarding it. The answer is 58 V (it's multiple choice), but how?

 

[td21]

From the answer, you can guess the physics. Hint: 24 + 24 + x = 58?
What does the value of x imply the direction of the potential difference caused by the voltage sources?

 

[gneill]

You have the current and its direction. So you can assign potential drops across the resistors. Pencil them in on your diagram. Then do a "KVL walk" from b to a summing up the potential changes as you go.

 

[Bluestribute]

You have the current and its direction. So you can assign potential drops across the resistors. Pencil them in on your diagram. Then do a "KVL walk" from b to a summing up the potential changes as you go.

There we go! I thought you had to do something with the two sources going towards the resistor.

I just went from A to B doing Kirchoff Law calcs (so going in the direction of the current was a negative, going from positive to negative terminals was negative, and the reverses were positive) and am getting it now. Thank ya!