Find power dissipated in circuit with a ground

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the power dissipated by a 12-ohm resistor and determining the potentials at points a, b, c, and d in a circuit with a ground reference. The power is calculated using the formula P=I^2R, resulting in 3 watts after determining the current to be 0.5 A. Participants clarify that the ground does not affect the potential differences between points in the circuit, with point a being at 0V. The potential differences between points b, c, and d are confirmed, with point b at 0V and point c gaining 6V. The calculations and understanding of voltage drops in the circuit are affirmed, ensuring clarity on the role of ground in the analysis.
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Homework Statement


1. Find the power dissipated by 12 ohm resistor
2. What is the potential at points a,b,c,d?

Homework Equations


P=I^2R
I=V/R

The Attempt at a Solution


For a) 3v-IR-6v-IR=0
9v=I(18)
I=0.5
P=0.5^2 * 12 = 3 watts
But not sure if the ground changes anything

b) unsure if ground changes anything
 

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Hint : What is the voltage btw point b,a and b,c and a,d ? Groud represents 0V
 
Between bc is 6v and between ad is 3v? if my current calculation is correct, then is v between ab is 3? But are those the potential differences or the actual potentials? For example does the 6 ohm resistor use up all its potential such that it is 0 at point b and point c gains 6v?
 
Noctisdark said:
Hint : What is the voltage btw point b,a and b,c and a,d ? Groud represents 0V

Between bc is 6v and between ad is 3v? if my current calculation is correct, then is v between ab is 3? But are those the potential differences or the actual potentials? For example does the 6 ohm resistor use up all its potential such that it is 0 at point b and point c gains 6v?
 
Edit : for mistakes, Vad = 3V, Va = 0 since it's connected to the ground so Vd = 3, Vbc = 6V just as you said, according to your calculation P = RI^2 = V^2/R = 3, you're almost there !,
 
Last edited:
physics416 said:

Homework Statement


1. Find the power dissipated by 12 ohm resistor
2. What is the potential at points a,b,c,d?

Homework Equations


P=I^2R
I=V/R

The Attempt at a Solution


For a) 3v-IR-6v-IR=0
9v=I(18)
I=0.5
P=0.5^2 * 12 = 3 watts
But not sure if the ground changes anything

b) unsure if ground changes anything
screen-shot-2015-07-03-at-5-40-04-pm-png.85508.png

The ground changes nothing.

Your solution is correct.
 
physics416 said:
b) unsure if ground changes anything

The "ground" means that the potential is zero at point a. But that does not change the potential differences between two points of the circuit.
 
physics416 said:
For a) 3v-IR-6v-IR=0

You got the right answer but this equation is inconsistent.

+3v implies you are summing the voltages anticlockwise so to be consistent it should be +6v not -6V...

+3V - (I*12) +6V - (I*6) = 0
 
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