Potential applied across two points with batteries

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on understanding the application of potential in circuits involving batteries and resistors. The user grapples with why a parallel battery/resistor combination is ignored when calculating voltage in a series configuration. It is clarified that batteries in series do indeed add their voltages, and the change in potential is not path dependent. The user acknowledges that calculating potential through different paths yields the same result, reinforcing the concept. Ultimately, the focus is on the consistent application of voltage principles in circuit analysis.
1MileCrash
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Homework Statement



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The Attempt at a Solution



The first two were pretty simple, but I'm having trouble grasping why my guess for #3 was actually correct. Why are we ignoring the parallel battery/resistor combo up top and just adding the voltages of the two batteries in series?

As I understand it, batteries in series do add voltages, so I get that, I just don't understand why that other battery/resistor has no effect.
 

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the change in potential is not path dependent. So you can calculate the change using the upper path, or as you have done, using the (simpler) lower path.

Edit: you can also calculate the change in potential by using a path that goes through E3 then R1, it will still get you the same answer.
 
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