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

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating net resistance and current flow in DC circuits with resistors of 2.9 kΩ. For part a, participants confirm that the circuit can be analyzed using parallel and series equations. In part b, the application of Ohm's Law (V=IR) is emphasized for determining total current and its distribution across branches. Participants discuss the use of Kirchhoff's Rule for part c, noting it can be applied to circuits with multiple loops. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding effective resistance and current ratios in circuit analysis.
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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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