Question

To solve a circuit means to use the values of potentials and resistances to find all currents passing through, and voltage drops across all elements in the circuit. Create a general procedure to solve any circuit DC circuit with any number of resistors.

Consider the circuit shown below. Find I1, V1, I2, and V3.

1 Aww R1-1.0012 6.001 13.00 Ω

Answer 1

R₂ and R₃ are in parallel and their combination is given as

R₂₃ = R₂ R₃/(R₂ + R₃) = 6 x 13/(6 + 13) = 4.11 ohm

R₁ and R₂₃ are in series and their combination is given as

R₁₂₃ = R₁ + R₂₃ = 1 + 4.11 = 5.11 ohm

V = battery Voltage = 12 Volts

the battery is connected in series with resistor R₁ , hence the current in resistor R₁ is same as the total current coming from the battery and hence is given using ohm's law as

i₁ = i_total = V/R₁₂₃

i₁ = 12/5.11

i₁ = 2.35 A

V₁ = potential difference across R₁ = i₁ R₁ = (2.35) (1) = 2.35 Volts

The potential difference across parallel resistors remains equal . hence

V₂ = V₃ = V - V₁

V₂ = V₃ = 12 - 2.35 = 9.65 volts

i₂ = current in R₂ = V₂/R₂ = 9.65/6 = 1.6 A

i₃ = current in R₃ = V₃/R₃ = 9.65/13 = 0.74 A