- #1
What are the key steps to solving this beginner circuit problem?
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around a beginner circuit problem involving resistors and current directions. Participants are exploring the fundamental concepts of series and parallel circuits as well as the conventions of current flow.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Some participants discuss the calculation of voltages across resistors and express concerns about the clarity of the circuit diagram. Others question the understanding of current flow conventions and the identification of circuit components. There are requests for guidance on how to approach the problem and suggestions to revisit foundational concepts.
Discussion Status
The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original poster's approach and encouraging a deeper understanding of the circuit principles. Some guidance has been offered regarding the importance of sketching potential drops and applying Kirchhoff's Laws, but no consensus has been reached on the specific steps to solve the problem.
Contextual Notes
There are indications that the original poster may lack familiarity with basic circuit concepts, and the presentation of the problem (including the orientation of the diagram) has been noted as a potential barrier to effective communication.
- #2
- 19,378
- 15,614
Asking folks for help and then posting the figure sideways to make it hard for them is not a good idea.
Also, if you do not understand the difference between series and parallel circuit parts, and you cannot immediately identify each, then you should stop trying to solve this problem (or any other) and go back and study the basics.
Also, if you do not understand the difference between series and parallel circuit parts, and you cannot immediately identify each, then you should stop trying to solve this problem (or any other) and go back and study the basics.
- #3
yamm14
- 5
- 1
Well, could you just point me in the right direction? I did list this as a beginner problem because I’m still learning the basics.phinds said:
- #4
- 19,378
- 15,614
I DID point you in the right direction. Look, I'm not trying to give you a hard time here but I'm quite serious about what I said. Re-read it.yamm14 said:
- #5
gneill
Mentor
- 20,989
- 2,934
I'm looking at the apparent directions of the currents indicated in your diagram (the arrow heads on the wires). It's disturbing to me that they seem to indicate electron flow rather than the standard "positive charge flow" convention. Surely the current direction of at least ##I_1## should be clear from the polarities of the voltage sources involved. I hope that this is not a "trick" question where you also have to match the sign of your answers to the given assumed current directions. 
That can be a bummer when you're just starting to learn the material.
Can you show us some of your work so far (not just the results on the image, but tell us how you arrived at the values you've found so far)? I only see one resistor potential drop indicated (3 V for ##V_5##). Be sure to sketch in the polarity of any potential drops over components. That will come in very handy when you move forward in the problem.
What can you say about the current through ##r_1##?
For your Homework Equations, should you not also include Kirchhoff's Laws?
That can be a bummer when you're just starting to learn the material.Can you show us some of your work so far (not just the results on the image, but tell us how you arrived at the values you've found so far)? I only see one resistor potential drop indicated (3 V for ##V_5##). Be sure to sketch in the polarity of any potential drops over components. That will come in very handy when you move forward in the problem.
What can you say about the current through ##r_1##?
For your Homework Equations, should you not also include Kirchhoff's Laws?