Find initial current and resistance in a circuit

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A battery with an internal resistance of 0.50 Ω shows a voltage drop from 12.0 V to 10.0 V when a switch is closed, eventually stabilizing at 10.5 V. This behavior indicates that the resistor X heats up over time, causing its resistance to increase, which explains the gradual rise in voltage. The initial current when the switch is closed is calculated to be 4.0 A, with the initial resistance of X at 2.5 Ω and the steady-state resistance at 3.5 Ω. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding voltage drops across components in a circuit, particularly in non-ideal scenarios. Overall, the observations highlight the relationship between temperature, resistance, and current in electrical circuits.
  • #31
BvU said:
b(ii) gives what resistance ?
moenste said:
(b) (ii) E = I (r + R) → 12 = 4 (from the answer) * (0.5 + R) → R = 2.5 Ω.

BvU said:
In b(iii) you go off the rails, I'm afraid. The 10.5 V is over resistance X, NOT over the series circuit of X + 0.5 Ω !
So the resistor X has a voltage of 10.5 V?
 
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  • #32
The source gives off 12 V, after the internal resistor there is 10.5 V left over. What does that mean for the voltage drop over that internal resistor ? So what is the current throught the series circiut of internal resistor and X ? THe voltage over X is given, so what is the resistance X ?
 
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  • #33
BvU said:
The source gives off 12 V, after the internal resistor there is 10.5 V left over. What does that mean for the voltage drop over that internal resistor ? So what is the current throught the series circiut of internal resistor and X ? THe voltage over X is given, so what is the resistance X ?
We have a voltage battery 12 V. We have a resistor -2 V. We have a voltmeter 10 V. We have a resistor X 0.5 V and current I = 0.4 A. So R = V / I = 0.5 / 0.4 = 1.25 Ohm.

BvU said:
The source gives off 12 V, after the internal resistor there is 10.5 V left over. What does that mean for the voltage drop over that internal resistor ? So what is the current throught the series circiut of internal resistor and X ? THe voltage over X is given, so what is the resistance X ?
12 - 10.5 = 0.5 I
I = 3 A new current in the parallel circuit?
 
  • #34
moenste said:
We have a voltage battery 12 V. We have a resistor -2 V. We have a voltmeter 10 V. We have a resistor X 0.5 V and current I = 0.4 A. So R = V / I = 0.5 / 0.4 = 1.25 Ohm.
You confuse me. The X resistor sees 10 V. That's what the meter indicates. How can it possibly be 0.5 V !? Where does the 0.4 A come from ?
 
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  • #35
BvU said:
You confuse me. The X resistor sees 10 V. That's what the meter indicates. How can it possibly be 0.5 V !? Where does the 0.4 A come from ?
So the VX = 10 V. And internal resistance of the battery is 0.5 Ohm. How do we find the RX?

(i) 12 - 10 = 0.5 I → I = 4 A.

(ii) 12 = 4 (0.5 + R) → R = 2.5 Ω

(iii) 10.5 = 4 (0.5 + R) → R = 2.1 Ω

or 12 - 10.5 = 0.5 I → I = 3 A
10.5 = 3 (0.5 + R) → R = 3 Ω

or 12 - 10.5 = 0.5 I → I = 3 A
12 = 3 (0.5 + R) → R = 3.5 Ω
 
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  • #36
moenste said:
i) 12 - 10 = 0.5 I → I = 4 A.

(ii) 12 = 4 (0.5 + R) → R = 2.5 Ω
Right.
moenste said:
or 12 - 10.5 = 0.5 I → I = 3 A
12 = 3 (0.5 + R) → R = 3.5
Right.
Do you conceptually understand what is happening here? You got the temperature part right. If you can explain the drop in voltage from 12V to 10V, you have understood the concept of internal resistance of a voltage source.
 
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  • #37
cnh1995 said:
Do you conceptually understand what is happening here? You got the temperature part right. If you can explain the drop in voltage from 12V to 10V, you have understood the concept of internal resistance of a voltage source.
The battery always has 12 V. Only the voltmeter changes from 10 V to 10.5 V.

And then we just use E = Ir + V and E = I (r + R), where E = 12 V, r = 0.5 Ohm and V is 10 V and 10.5 V.
 
  • #38
moenste said:
The battery always has 12 V. Only the voltmeter changes from 10 V to 10.5 V.
Right. Internal resistance comes in series with the circuit and some voltage drop takes place across it.
 
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