Determine the equivalent resistance of the circuit

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the equivalent resistance of a circuit that includes a known resistor, an unknown resistor, and two ammeters connected to a voltage source. The circuit is identified as a parallel configuration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the use of Ohm's law and the formula for equivalent resistance in parallel circuits. There are questions about the correctness of the equations being applied and the interpretation of the circuit diagram.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the calculations for equivalent resistance and current, while others express uncertainty about the next steps, particularly regarding the unknown resistor. There is ongoing dialogue about the correctness of the approaches taken.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes the need for a visual representation of the circuit to facilitate understanding. There is also a mention of unit discrepancies in the calculations presented.

zelda1850
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Homework Statement



a 3.0 ohm resistor an unkown resistor r and two ammeters a1 and a2 are connected with a 12 volt source ammeter a2 reads a current of 5.0 amperes

1) detemine the equivalent resistance of the circuit
2) caculate the current measure of ammeter a 1
3) caculate the resistance of the unknown resistor r


Homework Equations



v= 12 v
a2 = 5.0 a
a1 = ?
r1 = 3.0 ohm
r2 =?

this is a parallel circuit so

do i use v/a to find equivalent resistance?

for current do i use v/r to find a?

and for the resistor is this equation right 1/req = 1/r1 + 1/r2

The Attempt at a Solution



i got 2.4 ohm for the equivalent resistance and 4 a for the current don't know if it right
 
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There's no way to answer this without seeing the circuit.
 
oh here a picture of the diagram for the problem

o938s4.jpg
 
The answers you have so far are correct. What exactly makes you doubt your solution?
 
You are correct so far, so why not go on to find the resistance of the unknown resistor using the formula you have: \frac {1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{1}{R_{1}} + \frac{1}{R_{2}}
 
ok i got 12 r for the resistor using that equation
 
zelda1850 said:
ok i got 12 r for the resistor using that equation

Which is correct, apart from the units; the units of resistance are Ohms, \Omega.
 

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