The voltage across a voltmeter Olymp 09

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The discussion revolves around calculating the voltage reading of a voltmeter connected across a 2V battery, considering internal resistances. The initial calculation yields a reading of 2.36 V, derived from the voltage across resistors and the internal resistance of the battery. Participants clarify that the voltmeter reading includes both the battery's EMF and the voltage drop across the internal resistance. There is some confusion regarding the method of calculating total voltage and resistance, but it is confirmed that the voltmeter measures the terminal voltage as a sum of potentials. The final consensus is that the calculated reading of 2.36 V is correct, reflecting the proper consideration of internal resistances.
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The question I'm asking about is Olymp 09

My attempt : 2.36 V

Vb1 / (R + r1 + r2) = 2 / 2.5 = 0.8 A
Vb2 / (R + r1 + r2) = 5 / 2.5 = 2 A

The reading of the voltmeter = the voltage across r1 + the voltage across r2 and R = (0.8)(2.2) + (2)(0.3)
= 2.36 V

I'm not sure of my answer, and even if it's correct I'm not completely convinced how is my solution is right.
 
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The voltmeter sits across a 2V battery. What do you suppose it will read?
 
rude man said:
The voltmeter sits across a 2V battery. What do you suppose it will read?
Not 2 V, as we have to consider the internal resistances.

@ElmorshedyDr: What is meant with "in the opposite circuit [...]"?
I don't understand your approach to convert those currents to voltages across the 0.3 Ohm resistor.
 
mfb said:
Not 2 V, as we have to consider the internal resistances.

Right. Didn't see that.
 
So the answer is voltmeter reading = VB + V across the internal resistance = 2 + (1.2)(0.3) = 2.36 V ??
 
ElmorshedyDr said:
So the answer is voltmeter reading = VB + V across the internal resistance = 2 + (1.2)(0.3) = 2.36 V ??

Correct.
 
ElmorshedyDr said:
View attachment 70418

The question I'm asking about is Olymp 09

My attempt : 2.36 V

Vb1 / (R + r1 + r2) = 2 / 2.5 = 0.8 A
Vb2 / (R + r1 + r2) = 5 / 2.5 = 2 A

The reading of the voltmeter = the voltage across r1 + the voltage across r2 and R = (0.8)(2.2) + (2)(0.3)
= 2.36 V

I'm not sure of my answer, and even if it's correct I'm not completely convinced how is my solution is right.
Your working is basically correct, but your technique is not what I was expecting. Can you explain the method you have used?
 
rude man said:
Correct.
But I'm still confused, why can't we just calculate the total voltage and the total resistance and then find the total current ad multiply it by the internal resistance of B1 to find the reading, since it is connected in parallel with internal resistance of the battery which would be 0.36V
 
Sure, and the result is the same.
 
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ElmorshedyDr said:
But I'm still confused, why can't we just calculate the total voltage and the total resistance and then find the total current ad multiply it by the internal resistance of B1 to find the reading, since it is connected in parallel with internal resistance of the battery which would be 0.36V
That can't be correct because the voltmeter is not connected directly across the internal resistance of the battery. The voltmeter reading is the sum of two voltages---you can see how it also captures the battery's EMF.

The best we can do is use the voltmeter to measure the terminal voltage of the battery, which means it's the scalar addition of two potentials that we measure here.

I'm stll interested in your explanation of the first method you showed. It is correct, BTW.
 
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