Homework Help: Circuits problem Need help by 10:00 tonight (EST).

Is R3 in series or parallel with R2? Is R2 in parallel or series with the supply?

 

Then what should be the p.d. across R2?

 

Remember how the currents through resistors in series are the same? How does the p.d. vary in resistors in parallel?

 

Right so if R2 is in parallel with the supply...what is it's pd?

 

It is multiple choice...but another way to do this is by kirchoff's laws which would give you a system of equations to solve with 3 unknowns.. which sounds like way too much to do for a multiple choice question.

So...I am hoping that is the correct thing to do...

 

R3 in parallel with R2...same idea. You will get the pd across R3 and use V=IR.

 

How to solve:

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In the circuit shown below, R1=10 ohms, R2=45 ohms, and R3=14 ohms. The power supply delivers a voltage of 25.0 V. a) What is the current through R3? b) What is the voltage across R2?

First Calculate the total resistance of the R2,R3 parallel circuit:


1/R23 = 1/R2 + 1/R3

.
. . R23 = (R2 x R3)/(R2 + R3)

Then add R2 and R1 This gives the Rt which you plug into V= IR to determine total Current. With the current you can determine the voltage drop across R1. Subtract that Voltage from the supply voltage to determine the voltage Across R2 and R3. Knowing that Voltage you can Calculate the Current through R3 using I=V/R3!

So not only do you need V=IR, but you also need Rt = R1 + (R2 X R3)/(R2 + R3) for a circuit containing two Parallel resistance in series with another resistance.

Edmund