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In the circuit shown in the figure, switch S can be closed on either point A or

ID: 2255626 • Letter: I

Question

In the circuit shown in the figure, switch S can be closed on either point A or C, but not both at the same time. a) What is the equivalent resistance between points A and B?

b) Determine the current through R1 when the switch S is closed on A. c) At what rate is energy dissipated by R1 when the switch S is closed on A? d) Determine the current through R4 when the switch S is closed on C. Use the following quantities:





V1 = V2 = 12 V

R1 = R4 = 1.0 ?

R2 = R3 = 2.0  ?

In the circuit shown in the figure, switch S can be closed on either point A or C, but not both at the same time. a) What is the equivalent resistance between points A and B? Determine the current through R1 when the switch S is closed on A. c) At what rate is energy dissipated by R1 when the switch S is closed on A? d) Determine the current through R4 when the switch S is closed on C. Use the following quantities:

Explanation / Answer

Case 1: Switch closed on A.

a). Equivalent resistance between A and B is R1 + R2*R3/(R2+R3) since R2 and R3 are in parallel which in turn is in series with R1.


b). Let R = R1 + R2*R3/(R2+R3)

= R = 1 + 2*2/2+2

= 1 + 1

= 2 ohm


V2/R = current through the circuit = current through R1 as it is in series.

V2/R = 12/2 = 6 ampere.


Current through R1 = 6 A


c). Rate of dissipation across R1 = Energy per unit time = I^2*R1

= 6^2 * 1

=36 J per second


d) Current through R4 for switch at C


let current through R4 be i.

-V2 -i*R4 + V1 = 0

-12 - i*R4 +12 = 0.

hence i=0.


This implies the current through the circuit is 0 in this case as V1 = V2 = 12 and since both are connected not in series, ie, the same magnitude and opposite potentials cancel each other, hence the current is 0.