Multiple choice Current through Bulb A

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a circuit problem involving current through a bulb in a parallel configuration, where the current of the battery is provided instead of the voltage. Participants are exploring the implications of this setup on their approach to solving the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Kirchhoff's rules and express confusion regarding the provided current instead of voltage. Questions about the current divider concept and the comparative current flow through different paths are raised.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the current divider concept and the relationship between resistance and current flow. There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches, including elimination methods and equivalent resistance calculations, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of an assumption regarding the resistance of the bulbs, with a specific value suggested, but it is noted that no resistance values are explicitly provided in the problem statement.

Mdhiggenz
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Homework Statement



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Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



First I originally tried using kichhoff's rules, but didn't get far.

What is throwing me off is they are giving me the current of the battery instead of the voltage. Since I know circuits in parallels all have the same voltage, I don't really know what to do.
 
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Are you familiar with a current divider? Which path do you think allows more current--through A or through B-C?
 
the path through A allows for current, since the path through B-C gets split up into two small currents.
 
Both paths allow for current. Path A allows for more current because it has less resistance. Knowing this you can solve the multiple choice question by process of elimination.

Knowing what a current divider is and how to use is helpful: http://physics.eou.edu/courses/phys_223/sg2/node6.html

If you want to solve another way, find the equivalent resistance [edit-- oops no resistance specified. So assume 1Ω per bulb. You will get a resulting voltage], then find the voltage, then find the individual currents. All three of these paths lead to the same answer.
 
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