Three-part Problem: Thevenin + Dependent current source

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a three-part electrical circuit problem involving Thevenin's theorem and a dependent current source. Participants analyze the provided circuit diagram and attempt to identify flaws in the initial solution, particularly focusing on the second part of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the value of ##V_1## in part b, suggesting it should be zero due to a short circuit to ground, while another participant agrees and provides a revised equation for current calculation.
  • There is a discussion about the direction of current ##I_0##, with one participant concluding that a negative value indicates the current flows in the opposite direction than initially assumed.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about grade deductions and seeks clarification on potential errors in the remaining parts of the problem.
  • One participant notes a possible omission in the equations presented in part a, suggesting that it may affect the overall solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the issues identified in part b, but there is no consensus on the overall correctness of the remaining parts of the problem or the reasons for grade deductions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the implications of their calculations and the potential impact of errors in earlier parts on subsequent results. There are also references to omitted terms in equations that may affect the interpretation of the problem.

s3a
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Homework Statement


The diagram of the electric circuit, the problem statement (and an attempt) are included in the file below.:
https://www.docdroid.net/RD0ZEgA/question-3.pdf

Homework Equations


Dependent Current Source

Nodal analysis

Short Circuit Current

Thevenin Voltage

Thevenin Resistance

The Attempt at a Solution


See the (same) included file.:
https://www.docdroid.net/RD0ZEgA/question-3.pdf

Could someone please help point out the flaws in the work? If you show me another way to do the problem's parts that would also be nice, but I'm largely interested in knowing what's wrong with the work in the attachment.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

P.S.
I didn't attach the file because, when I tried to, the website said it's too large.
 
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The problem i immediately saw was with the part b). You get ##V_1=0.10##. Shouldn't ##V_1## be ##V_1=0## since it's short-circuited to the ground?
Using that i get: ##\frac{0.5V}{0.25}+\frac{V_x}{3}=I_0##, where ##V_x = 0.5##. Then ##I_0=2.16666##.
 
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diredragon said:
The problem i immediately saw was with the part b). You get ##V_1=0.10##. Shouldn't ##V_1## be ##V_1=0## since it's short-circuited to the ground?
Using that i get: ##\frac{0.5V}{0.25}+\frac{V_x}{3}=I_0##, where ##V_x = 0.5##. Then ##I_0=2.16666##.
Oh, yes!

Shouldn't it be like this, though (instead of what you typed)?:
(V_1 - 0.5)/0.25 + V_x/3 - I_0 = 0

(V_1 - 0.5)/0.25 + (V_1 - 0.5)/3 - I_0 = 0

(0 - 0.5)/0.25 + (0 - 0.5)/3 - I_0 = 0

(-0.5)/0.25 + (-0.5)/3 - I_0 = 0

I_0 = (-0.5)/0.25 + (-0.5)/3

I_0 = -2.16666666666666666667 A (meaning that the current is pointing upwards, instead of downwards)
 
s3a said:
Oh, yes!

Shouldn't it be like this, though (instead of what you typed)?:
(V_1 - 0.5)/0.25 + V_x/3 - I_0 = 0

(V_1 - 0.5)/0.25 + (V_1 - 0.5)/3 - I_0 = 0

(0 - 0.5)/0.25 + (0 - 0.5)/3 - I_0 = 0

(-0.5)/0.25 + (-0.5)/3 - I_0 = 0

I_0 = (-0.5)/0.25 + (-0.5)/3

I_0 = -2.16666666666666666667 A (meaning that the current is pointing upwards, instead of downwards)

Using these equations the ##-I_0## suggest that (following your sign rule) the ##I_0## enters the node. Since you get a negative value it means that the current flow in the opposite direction than you speculated it would. Meaning it goes downward since you draw it going upward.
See that in my equations i immediately concluded that it would go downward and i get a positive result proving that it does.
 
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Ah, yes. I get it / part b now. Thanks. :)

About the rest, do you have an idea as to why grades are deducted? Is anything wrong there?

Edit:
I still get it, but I think you meant upwards instead of downwards and downwards instead of upwards.
 
s3a said:
Ah, yes. I get it / part b now. Thanks. :)

About the rest, do you have an idea as to why grades are deducted? Is anything wrong there?

Edit:
I still get it, but I think you meant upwards instead of downwards and downwards instead of upwards.

The a) part seems correct, and the c) uses the previous results so it could be because of the incorrect b) part.
 
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For what it's worth, in response to the what you seem to have edited away about the "+" for the last part of the first equation in part a, it does seem to have a "+" omitted, but the work continues as if it were there and as if the -0.5 + V_1 (including the "-" in front of the 0.5) were all on the numerator of the fraction. (You probably noticed that, but I just wanted to state it, just in case.)

Having said that, I get it all now, and thanks again! :)
 
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