How Does Current Divide in a Circuit with Multiple Resistors and Batteries?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the current in a circuit with multiple resistors and batteries, specifically R1, R2, and R3 with values of 2.40 Ω, 4.45 Ω, and 6.10 Ω, respectively. Participants express frustration with applying Kirchhoff's Rules and understanding current flow, particularly how it splits between resistors. The relationship between the currents from the left and right batteries (I1 and I2) and the current through R3 (I3) is emphasized as crucial for solving the problem. A suggestion is made to simplify the approach by focusing on Kirchhoff's laws without introducing unnecessary complexities. The overall consensus is that the problem can be resolved by correctly applying these laws to find the current magnitudes.
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Find the magnitude of the current in each resistor.
R1 = 2.40 Ω, R2 = 4.45 Ω, and R3 = 6.10 Ω.

I keep on attempting to use Kirchoff's Rules but it isn't working out. It doesn't click in my head if the current is flowing from the left battery, does the current still split? Is R3 double resistance in order to bring the current down to I?

Assuming there was another imaginary point right after the left terminal but before R2 and another point at a, I used the equation Va-Vb=(emf)-IR but since I don't know the Potential loss nor the current, I can't solve for either. Also placed more imaginary points mirrored to the right battery and set the Vb from both equations equal to each other but only thing I have left is 0=24V-4.45I1-6.85I2.. Grrr... Anyone give me a hint please?
 
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Forget those imaginary points and double resistance. This problem is not at all complicated if you use Kirchhoff' laws.

Let be the current flowing out from the left battery I2 and the current flowing out from the right battery be I1. You have a third current I3 which flows from a to b through R3. How is I3 related to I1 and I2?



ehild
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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