Solving circuits with superposition (2 problems)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving circuit problems using the superposition theorem, focusing on two specific circuit scenarios involving current and voltage sources, resistors, and dependent sources.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants describe their attempts to analyze circuits by turning off sources and applying Kirchhoff's laws, mesh analysis, and Ohm's law. Questions arise regarding the treatment of resistors in parallel with short circuits and the implications of current division.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the approaches taken, suggesting additional considerations and corrections. There is ongoing exploration of circuit behavior under different configurations, with no clear consensus on the correctness of the final current values.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of accurately applying circuit laws and the potential for misunderstanding the impact of short circuits on circuit elements. There is mention of forum etiquette regarding thread engagement.

Rellek
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Homework Statement


Screenshots have everything.

Homework Equations


##V = iR##
Voltage/current division
Mesh analysis
Adding resistors in parallel/series
Kirchhoff's Laws

The Attempt at a Solution



First problem

I started with turning off the current source. You are left with a simple series circuit with a dependent source because the part with the current source becomes an open circuit. I used Kirchhoff's voltage rule around the loop and got: $$-12 + i_{1} + 3i_{1} + 2i_{1} = 0$$

Which yields ##i_{1} = 2##

I then turned off the voltage source and activated the current source. I chose to use mesh analysis because it seemed to be the quickest way. The current you are left with is a resistor and a dependent source, another resistor, and your current source in parallel. The mesh current on the left is ##i_{x}## and on the right is ##i_{y}##. Using KVL for the supermesh around the perimeter: $$i_{x} +3i_{y}+2i_{x} = 0$$
and also
$$i_{y} - i_{x} = 6$$

Which solves ##i_{x}## as -3 amperes. So, adding the first current and the second current gives -1 Amperes?

Second question

Again, I turned off the current source first. This leaves you with 2 resistors in series (parallel with the V source) and another 30 Ohm resistor in parallel. Since they all shared one node, the voltage should stay the same, right?

If that's true, you can use Ohm's law to find the current over the strand on the right will be $$\frac {200}{100} = 2$$

This next part is where I have a bit of a trouble. Turn off voltage source, turn on current source. If you look at the second picture, and replace the voltage source with a short circuit, does this mean that the 30 Ohm resistor can be ignored, because the current will always go through the short circuit instead of the path with the resistor?

If this is true, you can just use current division, like so $$3 \frac {60}{40+60} = 1.8$$

And you know this will be in the opposite direction from the previous current value, so ##2 - 1.8 = .2## so the current ##I_{0}## will be .2 Amperes. Is this correct? Thanks!
 

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Last edited:
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No one?
 
Rellek said:

Homework Statement


Screenshots have everything.

Homework Equations


##V = iR##
Voltage/current division
Mesh analysis
Adding resistors in parallel/series
Kirchhoff's Laws

The Attempt at a Solution



First problem

I started with turning off the current source. You are left with a simple series circuit with a dependent source because the part with the current source becomes an open circuit. I used Kirchhoff's voltage rule around the loop and got: $$-12 + i_{1} + 3i_{1} + 2i_{1} = 0$$

Which yields ##i_{1} = 2##

...

Thanks!
(It's too soon to be bumping your own thread ! Please review the Forum Rules.)

attachment.php?attachmentid=68045&d=1395919681.png


You should get ##-12 + i_{1} + 3i_{1} + v_{2i_{1}} = 0\ .##

But you would also need ##\ i_1 = -2i_1 \ ## by KCL.(It's easy enough to check your answer to this one by using Kirchhoff's Current Law directly.)
 
Last edited:
Rellek said:

Homework Statement


Screenshots have everything.
...

The Attempt at a Solution




Second question

Again, I turned off the current source first. This leaves you with 2 resistors in series (parallel with the V source) and another 30 Ohm resistor in parallel. Since they all shared one node, the voltage should stay the same, right?

If that's true, you can use Ohm's law to find the current over the strand on the right will be $$\frac {200}{100} = 2$$

This next part is where I have a bit of a trouble. Turn off voltage source, turn on current source. If you look at the second picture, and replace the voltage source with a short circuit, does this mean that the 30 Ohm resistor can be ignored, because the current will always go through the short circuit instead of the path with the resistor?

If this is true, you can just use current division, like so $$3 \frac {60}{40+60} = 1.8$$

And you know this will be in the opposite direction from the previous current value, so ##2 - 1.8 = .2## so the current ##I_{0}## will be .2 Amperes. Is this correct? Thanks!
attachment.php?attachmentid=68046&d=1395919681.png


The second one looks good.
 

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