Resistance in a series-parallel combination

[Icheb]

The circuit in question is this:
http://www.atnetzwerk.de/temp/wasserkocher2.gif

There are two heating elements with a resistance R_0 = 20 Ohm. I have to find R so that the total power output of the heating elements stays the same no matter if I only use one heating element or both.

I first thought of using R = \frac{R_0 * R_0}{R_0 + R_0}, but I think that would mean that the power output would be higher when both heating elements are in use. Am I right?

Then I tried solving R = \frac{U^2}{P} for P and doing U^2 / R_1 = U ^2 / R_2 for R_1 being the resistance when only one heating element is in use and R_2 being the resistance when both heating elements are in use. Obviously that just leaves me with R_1 = R_2, which doesn't help with this problem.

Another approach I tried was just saying that R has to be equal to R_0, because then the maximum available power P would arrive at the resistor at R_0 when only one heating element is in use and P/2 would arrive at each of them when both of them are turned on. However I don't know how to prove this or even if this is the right idea at all.

Does anyone have an idea as to how I could solve this problem?

 

[Andrew Mason]

The circuit in question is this:
http://www.atnetzwerk.de/temp/wasserkocher2.gif

There are two heating elements with a resistance R_0 = 20 Ohm. I have to find R so that the total power output of the heating elements stays the same no matter if I only use one heating element or both.

I first thought of using R = \frac{R_0 * R_0}{R_0 + R_0}, but I think that would mean that the power output would be higher when both heating elements are in use. Am I right?

Then I tried solving R = \frac{U^2}{P} for P and doing U^2 / R_1 = U ^2 / R_2 for R_1 being the resistance when only one heating element is in use and R_2 being the resistance when both heating elements are in use. Obviously that just leaves me with R_1 = R_2, which doesn't help with this problem.

Another approach I tried was just saying that R has to be equal to R_0, because then the maximum available power P would arrive at the resistor at R_0 when only one heating element is in use and P/2 would arrive at each of them when both of them are turned on. However I don't know how to prove this or even if this is the right idea at all.

Does anyone have an idea as to how I could solve this problem?

Just work out the equation for total power loss for each scenario, equate them and solve for R.

P = I^2R_{eff}

I = U/(R+R_0)
(1)P = I^2R_0 = \frac{U^2}{(R+R_0)^2}R_0

I = U/(R + R_0/2)
(2)P = I^2R_0/2 = \frac{U^2}{(R+R_0/2)^2}R_0/2

Equate (1) and (2) and solve for R. You will need to solve a quadratic equation.

AM

 

[Icheb]

You are the best! Thank you very much.

 

[Icheb]

If you don't mind my asking: How did you arrive at the conclusion that you need the equations for total power loss? I simply can't figure this out.