How Do You Calculate Resistance in a Circuit Diagram?

[ggb123]

Hey, I would really appreciate any help with this question.

Homework Statement

Examine the following circuit diagram and state the value of a) V2 b) I2 c) R1 d) R2 e) RT

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3100/90933761.png

One solid circuit and no other information is given.

Homework Equations

V = IR

In series, RT = R1 + R2 + ... + Rn
In parallel, 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn

The Attempt at a Solution

I've solved for a) V2 = 15V and e) RT = 4 ohms

 

[vela]

You haven't provided enough info.

 

[ggb123]

You haven't provided enough info.

Thanks for the reply.

That was all the info provided in the question. That's what I thought myself, but this assignment's due tomorrow and I thought I'd get some feedback on what other people thought.

Again, thanks

 

[vela]

Well, you can solve for some of those quantities, but not all. I can say that your answer for V2 and RT are wrong.

How did you calculate those?

 

[ggb123]

Well, you can solve for some of those quantities, but not all. I can say that your answer for V2 and RT are wrong.

How did you calculate those?

For V2: In a series circuit VT = V1 + V2 + ... + Vn
In a parallel circuit VT = V1= V2 = V3 = ... = Vn
I treat V2 and V3 as a single entity, since it is parallel within a series circuit.
Thus, VT = V1 + 2V2 = V1 + 2V3
40 = 10 + 2V2, 30 = 2V2, V2 = 15V
40 = 10 + 2V3, 30 = 2V3, V3 = 15V

RT = VT/IT = 40/10 = 4 ohms

can you see what i did wrong?

 

[vela]

V2 and V3 don't add because they're not in series. When you use Kirchoff's voltage law, either V2 (if you use the inside loop) or V3 (if you use the outside loop) appears, but not both.

I'm not sure what I was thinking before, but I was wrong about RT. Your answer is correct.

You should be able to calculate R1, but to get R2 and I2 requires more information.

 

[ggb123]

V2 and V3 don't add because they're not in series. When you use Kirchoff's voltage law, either V2 (if you use the inside loop) or V3 (if you use the outside loop) appears, but not both.

I'm not sure what I was thinking before, but I was wrong about RT. Your answer is correct.

You should be able to calculate R1, but to get R2 and I2 requires more information.

Ah, thanks again