Resistance and Voltage, switch diagram

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a circuit problem involving resistance and voltage measurements across different resistors. Participants are exploring the relationship between resistance and voltage readings in a circuit with multiple resistors and a voltmeter.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the assumption that higher resistance leads to higher voltage readings. There is a focus on understanding how voltage is measured across individual resistors and the implications of the total resistance in the circuit.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance, while others are seeking clarification on how to determine voltage across specific resistors. The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of specific resistance values for the resistors in the circuit, leading to questions about whether they are assumed to be equal. Participants are also reflecting on their previous misunderstandings regarding voltage behavior in the context of the circuit setup.

vysero
Messages
134
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Untitled.png
[/B]
Untitled.png


Homework Equations


V=IR

The Attempt at a Solution


I said: A>D=F>B=C>G>H=E

I assumed higher resistance would lead to higher readings. However here are the answers:

H=E>C=B>G>D>F>A

Can someone explain to me why this is? As you can see H=E which combined gives a total resistance of (2/3)ohms is, according to the answers, going to give the largest volt meter reading. Why is this true?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
vysero said:

Homework Statement


View attachment 80648
untitled-png.80648.png

Homework Equations


V=IR[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


I said: A>D=F>B=C>G>H=E

I assumed higher resistance would lead to higher readings. However here are the answers:[/B]
Why assume that? The volt-meter only measures the voltage drop across that one resistor. Its resistance is fixed, so the voltage is proportional to the current through that resistor. Any current supplied by the battery must pass through that resistor, some how is that current related to the overall resistance of the circuit?

H=E>C=B>G>D>F>A

Can someone explain to me why this is? As you can see H=E which combined gives a total resistance of (2/3)ohms is, according to the answers, going to give the largest volt meter reading. Why is this true?
How do you get any particular resistance value?

No resistance value is given for any of the resistors. Are we to assume that they all have the same resistance?
 
SammyS said:
Why assume that? The volt-meter only measures the voltage drop across that one resistor. Its resistance is fixed, so the voltage is proportional to the current through that resistor. Any current supplied by the battery must pass through that resistor, some how is that current related to the overall resistance of the circuit?

How do you get any particular resistance value?

No resistance value is given for any of the resistors. Are we to assume that they all have the same resistance?

OH geesh sorry I feel like a dork I forgot a part of the question here is the explanation:

Untitled.png
 
vysero said:
OH geesh sorry I feel like a dork I forgot a part of the question here is the explanation:

View attachment 80652
untitled-png.80652.png

You could type some of this out.

Part of the explanation has been given. We need a response from you. You have over 100 posts, so you should know how things work here.

How did you arrive at your order? (in addition to having voltage behavior reversed.)
 
I am not sure how I had voltage behavior reversed. V = IR so and increase in resistance will increase voltage. If I = 1 and R = 4 then V = 4 if I = 1 and R = 10 then V = 10. 1<10

However, I did not take into account that the measurement of V was across only one resistor. I am currently trying to work out how to get the V for that one resistor in each configuration.
 
Thank you for the insight I understand now!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K