How to calculate potential in an electric circuit with multiple batteries?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the potential in an electric circuit with multiple batteries, one must consider the direct connections of the batteries to the points of interest, such as A and B. The voltage between these points is determined by the left battery, which is directly connected to them. For non-ideal batteries, internal resistances should be included in the calculations. Applying Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) or Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) can help solve the circuit equations effectively. Understanding these principles is crucial for accurate potential calculations in complex circuits.
Apteronotus
Messages
201
Reaction score
0
How does one calculate the potential in an electric circuit when there are more than 1 batteries present?

For example, in the circuit attached, how would we calculate the potential at A and B?
Is it a simple addition?

Thanks,
 

Attachments

  • Circuit2.JPG
    Circuit2.JPG
    7.6 KB · Views: 357
Physics news on Phys.org
Apteronotus said:
How does one calculate the potential in an electric circuit when there are more than 1 batteries present?

For example, in the circuit attached, how would we calculate the potential at A and B?
Is it a simple addition?

Thanks,

Because the left battery is directly connected to A and B, that defines the voltage between A and B.

To the extent that the batteries are not ideal, you would show the internal resistances explicitly, and then solve the equations for the circuit. You can either use KVL or KCL equations. Are you familiar with them?
 
Berkeman,
Thank you for your explanation. I now understand the circuit. I guess the trick is to look at the outer circuit (not including the passive components) and apply KVL to it.

Thank you again,

Apteronotus
 
Thread 'Inducing EMF Through a Coil: Understanding Flux'

Thread 'Inducing EMF Through a Coil: Understanding Flux'

Thank you for reading my post. I can understand why a change in magnetic flux through a conducting surface would induce an emf, but how does this work when inducing an emf through a coil? How does the flux through the empty space between the wires have an effect on the electrons in the wire itself? In the image below is a coil with a magnetic field going through the space between the wires but not necessarily through the wires themselves. Thank you.
View full post »
Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

I am reading the Griffith, Electrodynamics book, 4th edition, Example 4.8. I want to understand some issues more correctly. It's a little bit difficult to understand now. > Example 4.8. Suppose the entire region below the plane ##z=0## in Fig. 4.28 is filled with uniform linear dielectric material of susceptibility ##\chi_e##. Calculate the force on a point charge ##q## situated a distance ##d## above the origin. In the page 196, in the first paragraph, the author argues as follows ...
View full post »

Similar threads

I An attempt to understand the associated variable conventions in circuits
Replies
1
Views
2K
I How is Potential Difference Created across a Resistor?
Replies
21
Views
4K
I How a Battery creates a Potential difference in an electrical current
Replies
14
Views
5K
I Is the Poynting Vector Field the Only Factor in Energy Flow in Circuits?
Replies
16
Views
3K
Electrical potential energy questions for a battery circuit
Replies
4
Views
2K
I Electric potential and potential difference
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Physics domain analysis of Voltage drop in series resistor
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Potential difference between a battery's terminal and Earth ground
2
Replies
58
Views
4K
I Can current flow in an open circuit?
Replies
4
Views
3K
I Is this example incorrect in Agawal's book on electric circuits?
Replies
3
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top