Equivalent resistance of circuit

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the equivalent resistance between terminals A and B in a given circuit diagram. The subject area is electrical circuits, specifically focusing on the concepts of series and parallel resistor configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to identify which resistors are in series and which are in parallel, expressing uncertainty about their configurations. Some participants suggest visualizing the circuit differently to clarify the connections.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some offering guidance on how to interpret the circuit layout. There is a mix of understanding and confusion, as one participant expresses a need for further clarification on identifying series and parallel connections.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions familiarity with adding resistances but struggles with the specific arrangement in the circuit. There is also a reference to a wire of zero resistance, which may influence the interpretation of the circuit connections.

Learnphysics
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Homework Statement



Find the equivalent resistance between terminals A and B for this circuit:

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1121/1035p.png

[PLAIN]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1121/1035p.png

Homework Equations



I know how to add resistances in parralell and series, it's just that i can't figure out which ones are connected in parralell and which ones are in series


The Attempt at a Solution



It kind of appears that the 20 ohm and 30 ohm resistors are in series, and that 60 ohm and 40 ohm resistors are in series.

But i have no idea.

A parralell connection is one which has both ends of an element directly connected to another. This appears to be true for the 20 and 30 ohm resistors. And also for the 60 and 40 ohm resistors. But where in the circuit would i place their equivlent resistances?

So i guess the question I'm asking is more to do with how to identify which ones are parralell and which ones are in series
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Hi Learnphysics! :smile:

With a wire of zero resistance, you can ignore the wire and treat the two endpoints as the same point …

in this case, that makes a sort of figure-of-eight with "a" in the middle …

that should make it clear :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi Learnphysics! :smile:

With a wire of zero resistance, you can ignore the wire and treat the two endpoints as the same point …

in this case, that makes a sort of figure-of-eight with "a" in the middle …

that should make it clear :wink:

Thank you!

The equivalent resistance i got is 9.6 ohms which seems to work out.
 
Learnphysics said:
9.6 ohms
Looks good to me.
 
Sry but i still don't get it..mind to explain in more detail(how to know they are parallel or series to each other)?
 

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