Resistance and Power if an element is removed from parallel circuit

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a heater with heating elements connected in parallel, specifically focusing on the effects of a broken wire in one of the elements on total resistance and power output.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore how resistors in parallel contribute to total resistance and question the implications of removing one resistor. There are inquiries about the mathematical relationships governing resistance and power in this context.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the relationship between the number of resistors and total resistance, while others have suggested examining power as a function of voltage and resistance. Multiple interpretations of the effects on resistance and power are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the assumptions that voltage remains constant and are questioning how the removal of a resistor affects overall calculations.

xllx
Messages
33
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A heater consists of heating elements connected in parallel across a power supply. A wire in one of the heating elements breaks. What happens to the total resistance of the heater? And the power output of the heater?


The Attempt at a Solution


Will the resistance increase and the power decrease? I'm just not sure how to explain why that happens.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated! Many Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you think?

How do resistors in parallel add?
 
What is the value of total resistance for N resistors R in parallel? Then N-1 resistors in parallel?

Then look at P as a function of V and I, and remembering the relationship between V, I, and R.
 
Will the resistance increase because the Total Resistance=Value of 1 resistor/Number of resistors. So if there is one less resistor then the total resistance will be greater. Is this right??

And for the power, would I use P=V^2/R. Because voltage will stay the same but resistance has increased, therefore making power decrease? Thanks
 
Sounds good!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K