Potential Difference in Circuits

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the significance of the potential difference (pd) in a circuit involving a 6V battery and two resistors, R1 and R2, with values of 2 ohms and 4 ohms, respectively. The mention of the negative terminal of battery E1 connected to point b raises questions about the clarity of the pd statement, as it lacks explicit reference points. Participants note that the phrasing is somewhat vague, as it does not clearly define the two points between which the pd is measured. The statement is seen as a basic observation that can serve as a foundation for further calculations regarding current and voltage in the circuit. Understanding the context of the pd is crucial for analyzing the circuit effectively.
DriggyBoy
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In the picture that i attached
i need some help
********
In the book it says
''' The negative terminal of the battery E_1 is connected to b. So at the lower end of the resistance R_2 the pd is 6V. "'
What is the significance of this statement?
 

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where's the picture?
 
check attachments
 
Does it give values for R1 and R2? Is there a ground point in the circuit?
 
R_1 is 2 ohm
nd R_2 is 4 ohm
 
I just can't grasp what you are getting at. Are you saying why the pd between the negative end of E1 and the lower end of resistor R2 is claimed to be 6v?
 
DriggyBoy said:
In the picture that i attached
i need some help
********
In the book it says
''' The negative terminal of the battery E_1 is connected to b. So at the lower end of the resistance R_2 the pd is 6V. "'
What is the significance of this statement?

The statement is a bit sloppy because it uses "PD", which should explicitly specify two points in the circuit, between which there is a Difference in Potential.
If E2 is a 6V battery then, relative to point b, how can the Potential be anything but 6V? It's just stating the obvious, really, and can be used as a start in calculating the current and volts around the network.
 

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