Solving Kirchoff's Rule: Magnitude and Direction of Current in Resistor Circuit

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around applying Kirchhoff's laws to determine the magnitude and direction of current in a resistor circuit. The original poster presents a circuit diagram and expresses confusion regarding the direction of current and the calculated value for one of the currents, questioning its realism.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the interpretation of the circuit diagram and the application of Kirchhoff's laws. There are questions about the assumptions made regarding current direction and the validity of the calculated current value. Some participants suggest assuming currents for each resistor to analyze the situation further.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the circuit and questioning the assumptions made about current direction. Some guidance has been offered regarding the application of Kirchhoff's laws, but no consensus has been reached on the specific relations derived from them.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a rough diagram that is difficult to interpret, which may be impacting the clarity of the discussion. The original poster also notes a potential misunderstanding regarding the units of current, initially stating a value in ohms instead of amperes.

emuhlay08
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this is a rough diagram of the picture, please note the direction of the current. that is what is throwing me off right now. The answer I get for I3 is 8.2 ohms and that seems a bit unrealistic to me.
the question is
a) what is the magnitude of the current in each resistor
b) what are the directions of the current in each resistor

thanks in advance!
 

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emuhlay08 said:
____________R1=25 ohms_________
I I
---- E1=9v I
-- I
I I
________________R2=18ohm______I
I I
---- I
-- E2=12V R3=35ohms
I I
I______________________________ I


this is a rough diagram of the picture, please note the direction of the current. that is what is throwing me off right now. The answer I get for I3 is 8.2 ohms and that seems a bit unrealistic to me.
the question is
a) what is the magnitude of the current in each resistor
b) what are the directions of the current in each resistor

thanks in advance!

Well, apart from the picture being impossible to interpret, the answer simply cannot be 8.2 ohm as currents are measured in ampere.

Otherwise it should be a simple matter of applying Kirchoff's laws. Assume a current for each resistor and see where it takes you. If you write down how you arrive at your result, it will be easier to see if and where you go wrong.
 
Orodruin said:
Well, apart from the picture being impossible to interpret, the answer simply cannot be 8.2 ohm as currents are measured in ampere.

Otherwise it should be a simple matter of applying Kirchoff's laws. Assume a current for each resistor and see where it takes you. If you write down how you arrive at your result, it will be easier to see if and where you go wrong.

I meant Amps, sorry. Even though, it seems like a very large number. Also, I uploaded a picture of the circuit so it can be interpreted.
 
So, what relations have you obtained from Kirchoff's laws?
 
Just FYI, I deleted several posts to clean the thread up.
 
Orodruin said:
So, what relations have you obtained from Kirchoff's laws?

This is what I have so far
 

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You may want to reconsider your application of the current law. Which currents go into the point and which go out?
 

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