Resistance in a series / parallel?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the equivalent resistance between points A and B in a circuit with resistors R1 (2.2Ω), R2 (1.0Ω), R3 (3.6Ω), R4 (5.0Ω), R5 (4.0Ω), and R6 (7.6Ω). The participants clarify that R3, R4, and R5 are in parallel, leading to an equivalent resistance of 1.39Ω, which is then added in series with R6. The final equivalent resistance is calculated to be approximately 8.97Ω after correcting initial miscalculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ohm's Law
  • Knowledge of series and parallel resistor configurations
  • Ability to perform reciprocal calculations for parallel resistors
  • Familiarity with basic circuit analysis techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of series and parallel circuits in depth
  • Learn how to use circuit simulation tools like LTspice for resistance calculations
  • Explore advanced topics such as Thevenin's and Norton's theorems
  • Practice solving complex resistor networks with varying configurations
USEFUL FOR

Students, electrical engineering enthusiasts, and anyone looking to improve their understanding of circuit analysis and resistance calculations.

dolpho
Messages
66
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the equivalent resistance between points A and B shown in the figure(Figure 1) . Consider R1= 2.2 , R2= 1.0 , R3 = 3.6 , R4= 5.0 , R5= 4.0 , and R6= 7.6 .

http://i.imgur.com/EBJmSvk.png

Homework Equations



For resistors in parallel, 1 / Req = 1/r1 + 1/r2 + 1/r3...etc
for resistors in series, Req= R1 + R2 + R3...etc

The Attempt at a Solution



So I think R3, R4 and R5 are parallel

1/3.6 + 1/5 + 1/4 = .72

and then I think we can combine R6, R1 and R2 into one since they are parallel also.

1 / 2.2 + 1/1 + 1/7.6 = 1.58

Now add up .72 and 1.58 since they are in series? = 2.3

Would appreciate any help, this is pretty confusing to me lol
 
Physics news on Phys.org
dolpho said:
So I think R3, R4 and R5 are in a series.

Check this again.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
Check this again.

Ahhh I'm sorry I did a typo. I meant parallel
 
dolpho said:
Ahhh I'm sorry I did a typo. I meant parallel

Did you get the correct answer now?
 
Pranav-Arora said:
Did you get the correct answer now?

nope :( I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong
 
dolpho said:
So I think R3, R4 and R5 are parallel

1/3.6 + 1/5 + 1/4 = .72

0.72 is reciprocal of equivalent resistance of R3, R4 and R5. The equivalent of these three resistors is in series with R6.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
0.72 is reciprocal of equivalent resistance of R3, R4 and R5. The equivalent of these three resistors is in series with R6.


Ok I was just thinking that, so its actually.

.72 = 1 / Req

Req = 1.39?

Then we add that to R6 in a series? so

1.39 + 7.6 = 8.99

Now we add R6 to R2 and R1 which are parallel.

So... 1/2.2 + 1 + 1/8.99 = 1 / Req

= 1.24 = 1 / Req -----> 1 / 1.24 = .8?
 
dolpho said:
Ok I was just thinking that, so its actually.

.72 = 1 / Req

Req = 1.39?

Then we add that to R6 in a series? so

1.39 + 7.6 = 8.99

Now we add R6 to R2 and R1 which are parallel.

So... 1/2.2 + 1 + 1/8.99 = 1 / Req

= 1.24 = 1 / Req -----> 1 / 1.24 = .8?

I haven't checked out your calculations but your steps look fine to me.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
I haven't checked out your calculations but your steps look fine to me.

ARG...It's not .8...what the f...heck
 
  • #10
dolpho said:
So... 1/2.2 + 1 + 1/8.99 = 1 / Req

= 1.24 = 1 / Req -----> 1 / 1.24 = .8?

Calculation mistake. 1/Req=1.56
 
  • #11
Pranav-Arora said:
Calculation mistake. 1/Req=1.56

Finally! Got it right, thanks so much for your help!
 
  • #12
dolpho said:
So... 1/2.2 + 1 + 1/8.99 =
= 1.24

Try that step again (btw, 8.97 is more accurate)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
4K