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nokia8650
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The designer of a heating element for the rear window of a car decides to connect six separate
heating elements together as shown in Figure 2. Each element has a resistance of 6.0Ω and the
unit is connected to a 12V dc supply having zero internal resistance. See: http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7709/cirrg6.th.jpg
In order to calculate the power output of the cicuit, I found the current in one of the resistors (1A), and using P=(I^2)R, found the power output of each resistor to be 6W. 6*6 = 36W for total power output.
I was then asked to compare what would happen if the resistors were in series, which I found Total R = 36 ohms, therefore current = 12/36 = 1/3A. Again, using P=(I^2)R, I found the total power output to be 4 W.
My question is, are the calculations above correct, and if so, how come the output of a supply is varied by the contents of the circuit?
Thanks
heating elements together as shown in Figure 2. Each element has a resistance of 6.0Ω and the
unit is connected to a 12V dc supply having zero internal resistance. See: http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7709/cirrg6.th.jpg
In order to calculate the power output of the cicuit, I found the current in one of the resistors (1A), and using P=(I^2)R, found the power output of each resistor to be 6W. 6*6 = 36W for total power output.
I was then asked to compare what would happen if the resistors were in series, which I found Total R = 36 ohms, therefore current = 12/36 = 1/3A. Again, using P=(I^2)R, I found the total power output to be 4 W.
My question is, are the calculations above correct, and if so, how come the output of a supply is varied by the contents of the circuit?
Thanks
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