Kirchhoff's rules for resistors in parallel

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 2K views
coleman221
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



25tko42.jpg


Use Kirchoff's rules to determine I1, I2 and I3 for the following circuit:
Use the following values:ε = emf = 9 V
r = internal resistance = 1.5
R1 = 5
R2 = 15
R3 = 13.75

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


I found I1 to be .9328 by adding all the resistors together (taking into account that r3 was in parallel to r1 and r2) and adding the resistance of the battery.

I've been trying to use 0=ε-I1r-IR1-IR2
0=ε-I1r-I3R3
I1=I2+I3
I've done similar problems but this is for a lab instead of homework so its written in different a way (and they like to throw in things we haven't learned yet in lecture) so i think I'm having trouble visualizing where the currents are splitting and what parts are equivalent.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
updated to add correct image
 
Why not redraw the circuit in a more conventional way, using the standard schematic symbols? It might help you to see ways to go about analyzing it.