Simple problem with voltages

  • Thread starter Thread starter nickxyzt
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving voltages in a circuit, specifically the voltage between points A and B, expressed in terms of variables E1, E2, I, and r. The original poster questions the correctness of the answer provided in their textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the expression for voltage between A and B, questioning the signs and terms involved. There is a discussion about the implications of the current direction and whether the current triangle represents a current source or merely the direction of current flow.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering insights into the voltage expression and the nature of the current in the circuit. Some participants have provided interpretations of the current's role, while others are still clarifying their understanding of the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity regarding the direction of the current I, as the problem does not specify its polarity, leading to differing interpretations among participants. The original poster is also referencing a specific exam question, which may impose additional constraints on the discussion.

nickxyzt
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
TL;DR: simple problem with voltages

I have a very simple problem with voltages, and I think that the answer in my book is wrong.

In the attached image, what's the voltage between A and B, expressed with E1, E2, I and r?
(The answer in the book is 2Ir + E1 - E2, but I think that is should be -2Ir + E1 - E2).

Thank you!

problema_2_surse.webp
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
It looks like ##V_{AB}=0## to me since they are directly connected by a wire.

Is the triangle for ##I## just supposed to represent the direction of the current or is it supposed to be a current source?
 
Thank you for replying. Of course VAB = 0, but the problem is how to express it using E1, E2, I and r (it's a question from an exam).
My dilemma is if it's 2Ir + E1 - E2, or -2Ir + E1 - E2.

There is no reference about the direction of the current I, just that "the current goes through the wire", I guess it can also be negative.
 
Dale said:
Is the triangle for just supposed to represent the direction of the current I, or is it supposed to be a current source?
The arrow must represent a conventional current source, or there could be no potential difference between the points A and B..
 
The voltage at B wrt A is ##(V_B-V_A) \equiv V_{BA}=E_1-E_2-2IR=0##
The current arrow drawn is an arbitrary polarity definition, so we'll all agree about the signs in the equation. Except your instructor, apparently.
 
Got it. Thank you!
 
Perhaps a better schematic would help:
PXL_20260102_175107148~2[1].webp
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: nickxyzt

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
859
Replies
35
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K