Simple problem with voltages

  • Thread starter Thread starter nickxyzt
  • Start date Start date
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
825
Replies
35
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K