Effective resistance between two points

  • Thread starter Thread starter DarylMBCP
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Points Resistance
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the effective resistance in a circuit with three resistors, each having a resistance of 6 ohms. The original poster is trying to determine whether the resistors are arranged in series or parallel based on a provided diagram.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to differentiate between series and parallel resistor configurations. Some participants suggest using the relationship between current and voltage to make this determination.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the criteria for identifying series and parallel arrangements. Some guidance has been offered regarding the characteristics of current and voltage in these configurations, and there is a general agreement on the method's applicability to various resistor circuits.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about interpreting the diagram and whether the identified method is universally applicable. There is an assumption that the answer key is correct, indicating that the resistors are parallel.

DarylMBCP
Messages
89
Reaction score
0
Hey guys, I'm having a little troublt with rearranging resistors in a circuit to identify which are parallel and which are in series so I can decide how they should be added; RTotal = R1 + R2 or RTotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2.

Taking that each of the three resistors in the circuit shown (diagram attached) has a resistance of 6 ohms, what is the effective resistance between X and Y? The answer key shows that the three are parallel and if that is so, I knw how to calculate the effective resistance to get 2 ohms.

However, I'm not sure how to identify if they are parallel or not from the diagram. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • Circuit 1.jpg
    Circuit 1.jpg
    3.4 KB · Views: 1,125
Physics news on Phys.org
One little rule to make that decision is this: series elements have the same current, while parallel elements have the same voltage difference.
 
One little rule to make that decision is this: series elements have the same current, while parallel elements have the same voltage difference.

Ok, so from the diagram I can see that the three resistors have different current passing through them but have the same voltage difference so the MUST be parallel, right? Is this method standard for all examples? Thanks for the help.
 
Yes, same voltage means they are in parallel. And I'm pretty sure this method does work for any resistor circuit.
 

Similar threads

Electrical Circuits - Parallel vs. Series
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
Calculate the equivalent resistance
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Calculating total resistance of a combination circuit
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
7K
Total equivalent resistance of a combined circuit
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Need help with a question on potential difference
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Voltage, Current, and Resistance Calculations
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
The equivalent resistance for the resistors in this circuit?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Parallel circuit with internal resistance
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Equivalent resistance of a circuit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How to make total resistance of 1 ohm?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K