[Ohm's law] Why does the answer key use the time after 5 seconds?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of Ohm's Law in relation to energy dissipation over a specified time interval. Participants clarify that "after 5 seconds" refers to the completion of that time period, not the state at exactly 5 seconds. The answer key indicates that current flows for 3 seconds at 2 A within the 5-second interval, leading to confusion about the timing of energy calculations. Understanding the flow of current during the specified interval is crucial for correctly applying Ohm's Law to energy dissipation.

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  • Familiarity with energy dissipation calculations in resistive circuits
  • Basic knowledge of current flow and time intervals in electrical engineering
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Students of electrical engineering, educators teaching Ohm's Law, and anyone involved in analyzing energy dissipation in circuits will benefit from this discussion.

bluesteels
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Homework Statement
A 10 Ω resistor carries a current that varies as a function of time as
shown. How much energy has been dissipated by the resistor after 5 s?
Relevant Equations
E= I^2 R delta t
Screen Shot 2022-03-18 at 12.25.31 AM.png

This the answer key::

Screen Shot 2022-03-18 at 12.25.19 AM.png


im confused because it say "how much energy has been dissipated after 5s". So shouldn't you be looking at the ground after 5 sec.

but apparently the solution look at it before 5 sec, am I missing anything, can someone explain
 
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Yes, "after 5 seconds" means that 5 seconds has passed. Think of it as asking, "after 5 seconds has passed". We just get lazy and don't add the "has passed" part.
 
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Drakkith said:
Yes, "after 5 seconds" means that 5 seconds has passed. Think of it as asking, "after 5 seconds has passed". We just get lazy and don't add the "has passed" part.
but on the answer key they got 3 sec before 5 second has passed. Do you see what I mean. The first pic is the question 2nd is the answer key.I'm confused on why are getting the value (3s) within 5 second interval when the question ask for after 5 second
 
In the 5 second interval, the current is only non-zero during 3 of those and when it is non-zero it is 2 A.
 
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bluesteels said:
but on the answer key they got 3 sec before 5 second has passed.
For how many seconds out of those 5 is there current flowing through the resistor?
 
bluesteels said:
I'm confused on why are getting the value (3s) within 5 second interval when the question ask for after 5 second
So, you are confused by the solution, not by the question? But you are also confused by the question, which prompted you to look at the solution. Try to understand the question and come up with a solution before you look at the solution. Otherwise, you will not be prepared for test questions and won't do well in the course.

The solution states clearly that during the first 5 seconds the current is 2 A for only 3 of those 5 seconds. Can you verify this by looking at the graph, or is it just something you assume must be true because it's stated in the solution?
 
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