Open Circuit Voltage, Thevenin Equivalent

[hbweb500]

Homework Statement

Find the open circuit voltage across A & B:

Homework Equations

V = IR

The Attempt at a Solution

If I0 is the current leaving the voltage source and passing through the first resistor, I1 is the current through the left resistor in parallel, and I2 through the two other resistors, then:

V - I_0 R - I_1 R = 0

-2 I_2 R + I_1 R = 0

I_0 = I_1 + I_2

Solving gives a current I_2 = \frac{2 V}{5R}, therefore the potential difference across the A & B terminals is \Delta V = I_2 R = \frac{2 V}{5}

The book says this is \frac{V}{5}.<br /> <br /> Am I doing something wrong, or have I found an error in the book?

 

[willem2]

You made an error while solving the equations. You can see this if you try to find all the currents: If I_2 = 2V/5R then I_1 is 4V/5R and I_0 wil be 6V/5R, but this means that the leftmost resistance has a potential difference of 1.2 V_0 across it, which is impossible.

This problem is easier to solve if you compute the thevenin equivalent of the circuit to the left of C and D first. It will also be useful when you have to compute the short circuit current of the entire circuit.

 

[hbweb500]

Yep, that's the case. I must have plugged it into Mathematica wrong.