Finding the currents in this system

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing a circuit with multiple resistors and voltage sources. Participants are tasked with finding the currents through resistors R1, R2, and R3, given specific voltage values and resistances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using Kirchhoff's laws to set up equations for the circuit. There is an exploration of how to combine resistances and the implications of the voltage sources on the circuit analysis.

Discussion Status

Some participants have proposed equations based on Kirchhoff's laws but express uncertainty about the completeness of their approach. There is a suggestion to apply Kirchhoff's laws to different loops in the circuit, indicating a direction for further exploration. Questions about ignoring certain components of the circuit have also been raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexity of the circuit, particularly regarding the interactions between the voltage sources and resistors. There is mention of needing additional equations to fully solve the problem, highlighting the challenge of the setup.

Dell
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given the following:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H4Iz7SmBrbk/Sg04JIIg9vI/AAAAAAAAA-o/xDycbG90Gmc/s720/C.jpg

and given that

ε1=3V
ε2=2V
R1=1Ω
R2=2Ω
R3=3Ω

i am asked to find the current flowing throiught R1,R2, R3

what i did was

I3=I2+I1
I1R1-I2R21

but i am short of one equation to solve this, what i would like to do is somehow find R12, as an the sum of R1 and R2, but my problem is that i have ε1 between them and i have no idea how to tackle this,

had ε1 noot been there i would have said R12=(1/R1+1/R2)-1 and then i could make a third equation using this.

how can i solve this?
 
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Dell said:
I3=I2+I1
I1R1-I2R21

but i am short of one equation to solve this, what i would like to do is somehow find R12, as an the sum of R1 and R2, but my problem is that i have ε1 between them and i have no idea how to tackle this,

Hi Dell! :smile:

Stop trying to simplify it … it's simple enough already! :rolleyes:

There are three loops, of which two are independent …

you've already applied Kirchhoff to the R1R2-loop, so now just apply it to the R2R3-loop. :wink:
 
thanks,.. for the second part of the question they ask what the difference in voltage is from pioint A which lies between R3 and ε2, and point B which is between R1 and ε1,

can i use kirchhoff here too, and igonre the part with R2 and R3, so I1R1=ε1-v
v=ε1-I1R1=2.8

?
 
Dell said:
thanks,.. for the second part of the question they ask what the difference in voltage is from pioint A which lies between R3 and ε2, and point B which is between R1 and ε1,

can i use kirchhoff here too, and igonre the part with R2 and R3, so I1R1=ε1-v
v=ε1-I1R1=2.8

?

sorry, I don't understand that :confused: … and what happened to E2?

You need the potential difference across E2 and across R1 (or across E1 and across R3):smile:
 
sorry meant to be v=ε2-I1R1=2-0.2=1.8,

but is it okay to just ignore the whole part that includes R2 and I2??
 
Dell said:
sorry meant to be v=ε2-I1R1=2-0.2=1.8,

but is it okay to just ignore the whole part that includes R2 and I2??

Yup … Kirchhoff applies to only one loop at a time! :smile:
 

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