How Do You Calculate Net Resistance and Current Flow in These DC Circuits?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating net resistance and current flow in DC circuits, specifically focusing on a circuit with resistors of 2.9 kΩ. The original poster presents a series of questions regarding the net resistance, current at junctions, and the application of Kirchhoff's Rule in different circuit configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the equivalence of different circuit configurations and the application of series and parallel resistance equations. Questions arise about calculating total current and the use of Ohm's Law versus Kirchhoff's Rule for analyzing current in branches.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering various approaches to calculating current and resistance. Some guidance has been provided regarding the application of Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Rule, but no consensus has been reached on the best method to apply for the different parts of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are references to specific circuit diagrams that are not included in the discussion, which may limit the clarity of the problem setup. Additionally, the participants are navigating assumptions about circuit behavior and the relationships between current and resistance in different branches.

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Homework Statement


http://postimg.org/image/8oweasluj/
Each rectangle in the figures represents a resistor with resistance=2.9kΩ.

a) What is the net resistance of the circuit of Fig 1 connected to the battery? Each resistance has R=2.9 kΩ.

b) What is the current flowing into the junction c and the branch of ca from the battery?

c) If we replace the branch of bc with a 12V battery as Fig 2 shows and Vb>Vc, what is the current flowing into the branch of CA?

The Attempt at a Solution



a) Is the circuit in Fig 1 equal to that of Fig 3 as below?
http://postimg.org/image/t5cwrllzt/

Thank you.
 

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Yes, you can take it and solve it
 
Sumanth said:
Yes, you can take it and solve it

Thank you so much! :D
I know part a then, just apply the parallel and series equations.

But for part b, does it mean that first I have to calculate the total current =It,
then apply Ic=It*(Rt-Rc/Rt), where Rt represents the total resistance?
 
No, just apply ohm's law
 
V=ir. R means effective resistance
"i"means total current through the cell.
And then divide current into the branches of circuit in corresponding ratios.
 
Sumanth said:
V=ir. R means effective resistance
"i"means total current through the cell.
And then divide current into the branches of circuit in corresponding ratios.

I see! I understand now :D Thank you so much!
How about part c then?
Should I use Kirchhoff's Rule? But can Kirchhoff's Rule be applied if there's more than two loops?
 
And in part b, the current flowing into junction c and branch ca would be the same then?
(Since the ratio of resistance are the same?)
 
For part b, can I rather use V=IR to find out the current through branches directly after finding out the total current?
 
Kirchoff law can be applied separately to any number of loops and solve then separately to find currents
 

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