Equivalent Resistance (Prep for Lab on DC circuits)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the equivalent resistance of a circuit with given resistor values and a 2 V battery after a switch is closed. Initial attempts incorrectly identified the configuration of resistors, particularly R4 and R6, which were thought to be in parallel but were actually in a different arrangement. The correct approach involves recognizing that R3, R4, and R5 are in parallel with R6, leading to a successful recalculation of the equivalent resistance. Clarifications on the connections between resistors helped resolve confusion about their configurations. Understanding the correct series and parallel relationships is crucial for accurate resistance calculations in DC circuits.
TheOculus
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Homework Statement


Use the circuit shown to answer the following questions. At time t = 0 the switch in the circuit is closed. Answer the following questions after the switch in the circuit is closed.
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What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit given R1 = 5 , R2 = 5 , R3 = 4 , R4 = 5 , R5 = 1 and R6 = 2 and a 2 V battery?


Homework Equations


\frac{1}{R_{eq}}=\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}+... for parallel
R_{eq}=R_1+R_2+...+R_n for series



The Attempt at a Solution



Alright, this didn't seem too complicated to me but all of my attempts have resulted in incorrect answers. The way I am seeing it is that R_4 and R_6 are parallel, and that the equivalent resistance of these two resistors are in series with the rest of the resistors. Here's my attempt:

\frac{1}{R_{46}}=\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{2}=0.7Ω Now, the reciprocal of this is ≈1.43Ω which gives the equivalent resistance of resistors 4 and 6.
It seems like a simple matter here to add up this equivalent resistance to the rest of the resistors in series: 1.43+5+5+4+1=16.43Ω

Am I incorrect in my parallel/series diagnosis? I have tried several other options, which I won't type up here, but if my diagnosis is wrong I will offer up my other thoughts. Thanks in advance.
 
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TheOculus said:
The way I am seeing it is that R_4 and R_6 are parallel, and that the equivalent resistance of these two resistors are in series with the rest of the resistors.

No, the equivalent of R_3, R_4 and R_5 is in parallel with R_6.
 
Recalculating. Hadn't seen a resistor setup like that. I'm not sure I understand why they are in parallel. Is it because there is no wire between, i.e. they are connected to each other?Edit: Ok, that worked like a charm. Thanks.
 
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