Unit 1.

6 (Part 2) – Current Electricity

2.1 The Electric Current:
The current I through a wire is defined as the amount of charge q flown per unit of
time t at every cross-sectional area of the wire. Mathematically, we may write it
as the time rate of change of electric charge.

The SI unit for I is of course Coul./sec called "Ampere", or Amp or simply A.

Example 1: A 5.00-Amp current flows through a wire for 20.0

minutes. Calculate the amount of electric charges flown through the wire.

Solution: I = Δq /Δt. Solving for Δq, we get: Δq = IΔt or,

Δq = (5.00Amps)(20.0*60sec.) = 6000 Coul.

2.2 The Industrial Unit for Electric Charge:

The industrial unit for electric charge q is the "Ampere-hour (Ah)." A current
of 1 Amp delivers 1Ah of charge if flown for 1 hour.

It is easy to see that 1Ah = 3600 Coul.

The reason is 1Ah = 1(Coul./s)(3600 s) = 3600 Coul.

Example 2: A car battery has been under charge for 40.0 hours at an average
current of 0.80 Amps. How much electricity in Ah is stored in it? How much is
that amount in Coul.?

Solution: I =Δq /Δt ; Δq = IΔt ; Δq = 0.80A(40.0 h) = 32.0Ah

Δq = (32.0)(3600) Coul. = 115,000 Coul.

2.3 Ohm's Law:
For any linear electric device, the ratio of the voltage V across the device to the
current I through the device is a constant called the "electric resistance, R" of the
device. Mathematically,

where in SI, the unit of R is volts/amp called "Ohms" with the symbol Ω ,
pronounced "Omega." This means that if the voltage across an electric resistance
(such as a light bulb) is doubled, the current through it also doubles to where
the V/I ratio remains constant. Of course, when the current doubles, the excess
heat it generates can burn the light bulb.

In electric circuits, batteries provide voltage (electric pressure). If a house lacks

the city water supply, it then must have a water tank to generate mechanical
pressure. The higher the water tank, the greater the pressure it generates that can
be experienced when taking a shower. A higher water tank is exactly like a higher
voltage battery placed in an electric circuit. If the elevation of a water tank is
doubled, you can fill a pot twice as fast because the water current (# of gallons per
minute) doubles. In an electric circuit, if you replace a battery of voltage V with
one that has a voltage of 2xV, the current will also doubles from I to 2xI.

Example 3: Calculate the resistance R of a light bulb that allows a current of

2.5 Amps to flow through it when connected to a 12V battery.

Solution: The light bulb resists toward the passage of the current through it. We
use a zigzag line to show the resistance of an electric device. We also use two
parallel lines one shorter and one longer as a symbol for a battery. The longer
line means the positive pole. The following figure is self-explanatory:
 Solution: (Write with horiz. fraction bars).

R = V/I = 12V/2.5A

R = 4.8 Ohms, or

R = 4.8 Ω

When key K is closed, the circuit is turned

on and current I flows turning the light bulb,
R on.

Figure 1

Test Yourself 1:
1) The electric current, I, is defined as (a) the # of gallons of water crossing every
cross-section of a pipe per unit of time (b) the # of Coulombs of electric charge
cross-crossing every section of a wire per unit of time (c) neither a nor b.

2) The unit for electric current is (a) Ampere (b) Coulombs per second (c) both a
& b.

3) If through any cross-section of a wire, 480C of electric charge pass per minute,
the currents is (a) 8.0 Amps (b) 480Amps (c) 480 mA.

4) If through any cross-section of a wire, 7200μC of electric charge pass every

hour, the current is (a) 2.0A (b) 2.0μA (c)2.0mA.

5) If through any cross-section of a wire, 108μC of electric charge pass in 1/2

hour, the current is (a) 6.0mA (b) 6.0μA (c) 60nA.

6) 2Amps my be written as (a) 2,000mA (b) 2000,000μA (c) both a & b.

7) 350mA may be written as (a) 350,000A (b) 0.35A (c) 3.5A.

8) 3600Coul. is (a) 1.0Ah (b) 10Ah (c) 0.10Ah.

9) If a current of 5.0A passes through an electric device for 6.0h, the amount of
electric charge Q flown through that device is (a) 30Ah (b) 108,000C (c) both a
& b.
10) If a battery goes under charge for 24h at an average current of 1.5A, the
amount of electric charge Q accumulated in the battery is (a) 20Ah (b) 36Ah (c)
neither a nor b.

11) Ohm's Law states that (a) the voltage-to-current ratio for a resistor remains
constant (b) the voltage-to-current ratio for a resistor is not a constant (c) the
coulombs-to-current ratio is constant.

12) Ohm's law may be written as (a) V = RI (b) I = V/R (c) both a & b.

13) The voltage across a resistor is 10.0volts and the current through it 2.50A. Its
resistance is (a) 0.250Ω (b) 4.00Ω (c) 25.0Ω.

14) The current through a resistor is 2.30A and the voltage across it 9.20V. Its
resistance is (a) 4.00Ω (b) 0.400Ω (c) 21.2Ω.

15) The current through a 2.0Ω-resistor is 3.0A. The voltage across it is (a)
6.0V (b) 0.67V (c) 1.5V.

16) The voltage across a 4.5Ω-resistor is 27V. The current through it is (a)
120A (b) 0.17A (c) 6.0A.

17) If V is known, and either R or I is to be calculated, then (a) to find R, V must

be divided by I (b) to find I, V must be divided by R (c) both a & b.

18) If R and I are known, to find V, (a) R and I must be multiplied because V =
RI (b) R and I must be divided by each other somehow because V = RI (c) both a
& b.

19) In Fig. 1, if Vbat. = 12.0V, the voltage across the resistor, R (a) is 12.0V
because there is only one resistor in the circuit and the entire battery voltage
(effort) drops across that single resistor (b) would be 12.0V anyway even if other
resistors R1, R2, R3, ... were present in series with R (c) neither a nor b.

20) Although the ammeter in Fig. 1 has some small resistance

itself ; however, in calculations, it is neglected and therefore the voltage across
R is (a) 12.0V (b) slightly more than 12.0V (c) neither a nor b.

Problem: A 12V battery is connected to a 2.4Ω car light bulb.

21) The current through the bulb is (a) 29A (b) 5.0A (c) 0.20A.

22) If the resistance in the circuit is doubled (by adding another 2.4-Ω resistor in
series with the first one), the current will be (a) halved to 2.5A (b) doubled to
10.0A (c) does not change.
23) Based on the previous question, for a fixed voltage, if the resistance is doubled,
the current (a) doubles (b) remains unchanged (c) halves.

24) Read the problem's statement again. If the 2.4-Ω resistor is replaced by a 0.80-
Ω one (the resistance is cut to 1/3), the current (a) nine folds (b) does not
change (c) triples.

Problem: Suppose there is a source that can supply a fixed current of 3.0A to a
user regardless of the resistance of the user. Answer the following questions:

25) If this 3.0-A current is passing through an 8.0Ω-resistor, the voltage across it is
(a) 2.67V (b) 0.375V (c) 24V.

26) If the 8.0Ω-resistance is doubled to 16Ω, the voltage across it (a) doubles to
48.0V (b) halves to 12V (c) does not change.

27) From the previous question, one may conclude that for a fixed current, if the
resistance doubles, then the voltage (a) halves (b) doubles (c) triples.

Problem: Suppose there is a source that can supply a fixed voltage of 24V to a
user regardless of the resistance of the user. Answer the following questions:

28) When the resistance connected to this source is 1.2Ω, the current is (a) 20A (b)
0.02A (c) 26.4A.

29) If the resistance is changed to 12Ω (increased by a factor of 10), the current (a)
also increases by a factor of 10 to 200A (b) decreases by a factor of 10 to 2.0A (c)
remains unchanged.

30) From the above, one may conclude that for a fixed voltage, if the resistance
increases by a certain factor, the current then (a) decreases by that same factor (b)
increases by that same factor (c) remains unchanged.

2.4 The Resistance of a Wire:

Running electric current through a wire is similar to running water in a
pipeline. The longer the pipe, the smaller its cross-sectional area, and the rougher
it is inside, the more difficult it is to run water through it, and the more forceful
must the pushing of water through the pipe be. An electric wire acts in a similar
manner for the motion of electric current in it. The greater its length L, the smaller
its cross-sectional area A, and the greater its resistivity ρ, the higher its electric
resistance R is and it takes a greater voltage to push a certain current through
it. The dependence of R on L, A, and ρ is given in the following formula:

where ρ, pronounced "rho", depends on the material of the wire. For

copper, ρcu = 1.70x10-8Ωm at 20oC. Table 20.1 gives the values of ρ for a few
selected materials:

Table 20.1

ρ ( Ωm ) α ( o C ) -1 ρ ( Ωm ) α ( o C ) -1
Conductors Semiconductors

4.29x10-3 Carbon 3.6x10-5 -5.0x10-4

Aluminum 2.82x10-8

6.80x10-3 Germanium 4.6x10-1 -5.0x10-2

Copper 1.70x10-8
Silicon 2.5x102 -7.0x 0-2
Iron 10x10 -8 6.51x10-3

6.0x10-3
Insulators
Nickel 7.8x10-8
-3
Glass 1012
-8 3.93x10
Platinum 10x10
Rubber 1015
Tungsten 5.6x10-8 4.5x10-3
Wood 1010

Example 4: Calculate the resistance of a copper power line that is 425km long
and 2.54cm thick (1.00 inch.).

Solution: The diameter of the circular wire is D =2.54cm. R = 1.27cm

= 1.27x10-2m.

R = ρL/A ; R = 1.7x10-8 Ωm (425000m)/[π (1.27x10-2)2m2] = 14.3Ω.

Example 5: Calculate the resistance of a thin copper wire 0.100mm thick and
50.0m long.

Solution: Since D =0.100mm, R = 0.0500mm = 5.00x10-5m.

R= ρL/A ; R = 1.7x10-8 Ωm (50.0m)/[π (5.00x10-5)2m2] = 108 Ω.

2.5 Power dissipation in a resistor:

From previous chapter, we had Ue = Vq. This may be written as

ΔUe = VΔq. This means that when Δq charge flows at voltage V, it transfers,
consumes, or delivers ΔUe amount of energy.

An electric device that draws current I from a source at voltage V, consumes some
electric energy Ue per unit of time. This means that each electric device has
a power P. It is easy to show that electric power is equal
to Voltage times Amperage, Simply, P = V I. Here is how:

The SI unit for power is J/s. Joule/sec is called "watt" as was discussed
in Physics I. This means that 1watt = 1volt x 1amp.

Example 6: A light-bulb that works with 120V draws a current of 0.83A from
a wall electric outlet. Find its power.

Solution: P = VI ; P = (120V)(0.83A) = 100 watts.

Example 7: A 60.0watt light-bulb is connected to a wall outlet. Calculate (a)

the current it pulls and (b) its resistance.

Solution: (a) P = VI ; therefore, I = P/V; I = 60.0w/120V = 0.50A.

 (b) V = RI ; R = V/I ; R =120V/0.5A = 240 Ω.

Other Versions of P = VI
Since V = R I, We may write P = (R I)( I ) or

P = R I2.

Also, from V = RI, solving for I, we get: I = V/R.

P = VI becomes: P = V (V/R), or

P = V2/R.

Example 8: A current of 5.00Amps flows through an electric heater with a

resistance of 40.0Ω. Find (a) its electric power in watts, (b) its daily (24h) energy
consumption in Joules, and (c) the daily heat energy in calories that it
delivers. 1cal = 4.186J.

Solution: (a) P = RI2 = 40.0Ω(5.00A)2 = 1000 watts.

(b) P = Ue /t ; Ue = P t ; Ue = (1000 J/s)(24 x 3600s).

Ue= 86,400,000J. (c) Ue = 86,400,000J/(4.186 J/cal) = 2.06x107cal.

2.6 The Industrial Unit of Energy (kwh):

It is easy to show that kilo-watt-hour (kwh) is a unit of energy. Work or
energy Ue can be solved for in terms of power P and time t by cross-multiplying
the formula P = Ue /t. This cross-multiplication yields:

Ue = P t ; If P is in kilowatts and t in hours, then Ue will be in kwh.

Example 9: A water heater that works at 240V pulls 12.5A. Find (a) its
power in watts and kilowatts. If this heater is on 12.0h a day during a 30-day
month, find (b) its energy consumption in kwh. If electric energy sells for 11.0
cents per kwh, calculate (c) the cost per month of this heater.

Solution: (a) P = VI ; P = 240.V(12.5A) = 3000 watts ; P = 3.00kw.

(b) Ue = P t ; Ue = 3.00kw(360h) = 1080kwh.

(c) Cost = 1080kwh ( $0.110/kwh ) = $119.

Test Yourself 2:
1) The resistance R of a wire depends (a) directly on its length L (b) directly on its
resistivity ρ (c) directly on its cross-sectional area A (d) directly on the reciprocal
of its cross-sectional area 1/A (e) a, b, & d.

2) The resistivity ρ of a resistor depends on (a) the material of the resistor (b) the
length of it (c) the cross-sectional area of it (d) a, b, and c.

3) Comparing two wires of different lengths, but of the same thickness and the
same material, (a) the longer wire has a greater resistance (b) the longer wire has a
smaller resistance (c) both have the same resistance regardless of their length.

4) Comparing two wires of the same length and the same material, but with
different diameters, (a) the thicker wire has a greater resistance (b) the thicker wire
has a smaller resistance (c) they both have the same resistance regardless of their
diameters.

5) Two wires A and B have the same length and the same material. The diameter
of wire A is 1/3 of that of wire B. We may write (a) RA = (1/3)RB (b) RA =
3RB (c) RA = 9RB.

6) For two wires C and D of same length and same material, wire C has a
diameter 1/6 that of wire D. We may write (a) RC = 36RD (b) RC = 6RD (c) RC =
(1/6)RD.

7) The resistance of a copper power line 255.0 miles long (1mile = 1609m) and
2.00cm thick is (a) 45.3Ω (b) 22.2Ω (c) 11.1Ω.
8) The resistance of a copper wire 41.0m (135ft) long and 0.200mm thick is (a)
45.3Ω (b) 22.2Ω (c) 11.1Ω.

9) The reason why the resistances of the two wires in the previous two questions
are equal is that (a) the second wire is much shorter but it is also much thinner (b)
the first wire is much thicker but also much longer (c) both a & b.

10) If a wire is passed through an orifice to where its diameter is reduced by a

factor of 2, its length becomes (a) 2 times longer (b) 4 times longer (c) 6 times
longer.

11) The reasoning for the previous question is that (a) when the diameter or radius
is cut by half, the cross-sectional area is reduced by a factor of 4 (b) A = π r2 (c)
the volume of the wire has to remain constant in the process. If the cross-sectional
area is reduced by a factor of 4, the length has to increase by a factor of 4 for the
volume to be constant. (d) a, b, & c.

12) If a wire is passed through an orifice to where its diameter is reduced by a

factor of 2, its resistance, R becomes (a) 16 times greater (b) 4 times greater (c) 8
times greater.

13) If a wire is passed through an orifice to where its cross-sectional area, A is

reduced by a factor of 3, its resistance, R becomes (a) 3 times greater (b) 9 times
greater (c) 6 times greater.

14) If a wire is passed through an orifice to where its length, L is increased by a

factor of 3, its resistance, R becomes (a) 3 times greater (b) 6 times
greater (c) 9 times greater.

15) The ρ of metals is of the order of (a)10-8Ωm (b)10-5Ωm (c)10+12Ωm.

16) The ρ of germanium is of the order of (a)10-8Ωm (b)10-1Ωm (c) 10+12 Ωm.

17) The ρ of glass is of the order of (a) 10-8Ωm (b) 10-1Ωm (c) 10+12 Ωm. 18)
Power is defined as (a) the work done per unit of time (b) the energy given off per
unit of time (c) the energy consumed per unit of time (d) a, b, & c.

19) The electric power P may be written as (a) P = VI (b) P = RI*I (c) P =
RI2 (d) a, b, & c.

20) If the voltage across a resistor is 15V and the current through it is 2.0A, the
power dissipation in it is (a) 7.5watts (b) 30w (c) 60w.

21) The voltage across a vacuum cleaner is 120V and the current through it is
4.0A. Its power consumption is (a) 480w (b) 90 w (c) 560w.
22) The voltage across a vacuum cleaner is 120 volts and it pulls 4.0A, its electric
resistance (while in use) is (a) 480Ω (b) 160Ω (c) 30Ω.

23) A vacuum cleaner with an in-use resistance of 30Ω allows a 4.0-A current to
flow through it. Its power is (a) 30(4.0)2w (b) 480w (c) both a & b.

24) One version of the power formula P = VI is (a) P = RI2 (b) P = RI (c) both
a & b.

25) An electric iron works with 120V and its in-use electric resistance is 15Ω. The
electric current it pulls from the socket and the power it dissipates as heat are
(a)10A &1000w (b)8.0A & 960w (c)15A & 1800w.

26) A light bulb rated as 75 watts is designed for 120V. The current it pulls from
the socket and its in-use resistance are (a) 0.625A & 192Ω (b)1.25A & 384Ω (c)
1.60A & 75Ω.

27) P = VI may be written as (a)P = V(q/t) (b)P = Vq/t (c)P = Ue/t (d) P =
energy per unit of time (e) a, b, c, and d.

28) Since power = energy/time, solving for energy, we get: (a) energy =
(power)(time) (b) Ue = P t (c) both a & b.

29) The power of a light bulb is 150w. The electric energy Ue it consumes in
30s is (a) 5.0J (b) 4500J (c) 0.20J.

30) An electric motor is rated as 2.50hp. Its power in watts is (a) 1890w (b)
1380w (c) 790w.

31) If a 2.50-hp motor is on for 2.00 minutes, the energy (in Joules) it consumes is
(a) 3960J (b) 990J (c) 227000J.

32) The power in kw (kilo-watt) of a 2300w electric motor is (a)

2,300,000kw (b)2.3kw (c) neither a nor b.

33) The power in kw of a 150w light-bulb is (a) 0.15kw (b)150,000kw (c) neither
a nor b.

34) The power in kw of a 4.00-hp electric pump is

(a)4.00kw (b)6.00kw (c)2.98kw.

35) The electric energy Ue a 4.00-hp pump consumes in 2.0h expressed in kwh
is (a) 5.96kwh (b)12.0kwh (c)18kwh.
36) A 100w light bulb has been on for 25h. The consumed energy in kwh is
(a)2.5kwh (b)2500kwh (c)0.25kwh.

37) The energy a 40.0w bulb consumes in 30.0 days

in Joules and kwh is (a)1200J, 288kwh (b)1.04x108J, 28.8kwh (c) neither a nor
b.

38) For a 13.0 cents per kwh energy price, the cost of leaving a 75.0watt light-bulb
on for 5.00 days is (a) $1.77 (b) $1.50 (c) $1.17.

2.7 Resistors in Series:

Devices (resistors) in a portion of a circuit are said to be in series if
they experience the same current. The following diagram shows three resistors in
series with a battery. We can show that if R1, R2, and R3 are in series, there is
a single resistor Rt (called the total or the equivalent resistance) that can replace
them all such that

Rt = R1 + R2 + R3
In a series circuit as shown in Fig. 2, below:

1) The current I is the same in all resistors, but the voltage-drop across each
resistor is different.

2) If R1 existed only, the battery voltage Vbat would be totally dropped

across R1. Now with R2 and R3 present, Vbat will be divided proportionally
amongst the 3 resistors such that:

Vbat = V1 + V2 + V3. Applying Ohm's law to individual resistors, results in: V1=
R1I , V2= R2I and V3= R3I ; Consequently,

Vbat = R1I + R2I + R3I. Vbat is also the voltage across the desired
resistance Rt that is supposed to replace R1,R2, and R3. Ohm's law requires
that Vbat = Rt I. Now, Vbat = V1 + V2 + V3 becomes:

Rt I = R1I + R2I + R3I. simplifying:

Rt = R1 + R2 + R3.
 Figure 2

Example 10: In the above figure, let Vbat = 20.0 volts, R1 = 25.0Ω, R2 =
50.0Ω, and R3 = 25.0Ω. Calculate Rt, I, V1, V2, and V3.

Solution: Rt = R1+R2+R3 = 100.0Ω.

Using Ohm's Law: I = Vbat/Rt = 20.0V/100.0Ω = 0.200A.

Now: V1 = R1I = 25.0Ω(0.200A) = 5.00V.

V2 = R2I = 50.0Ω(0.200A) = 10.0V.

V3 = R3I = 25.0Ω(0.200A) = 5.00V.

2.8 Resistors in Parallel:

Parallel Resistors experience the same voltage but different
currents. Resistors that are between the same two nodes experience the same
voltage and form a parallel module (Fig. 3). At one node the arriving current
divides amongst the resistors and at the other node they join to form the main
current again. The greater a resistor, the smaller the current its branch
draws. Parallel resistors divide the main current amongst themselves proportional
to 1/R. The voltage for all resistors between two nodes (in a parallel module)
is the same. The equivalent resistance Req may be calculated from the formula:
In Fig. 3, since there is no resistance between points d and a (Connecting wires
have negligible resistance) the voltages of points d and a are equal. So are the
voltages of points b and c. This means that if we use a voltmeter to
measure Vdc and Vab, we get the same
reading. Vdc = Vab = Vbat . Since Vab is the same as Vbat , we may calculate the
currents in each branch by using the Ohm's law:

I1 = Vab/R1, similarly: I2 = Vab/R2 and I3 = Vab/R3.

The 3 resistors can be replaced by Req such that I = Vbat /Req.

I = I1 + I2 + I3 or Vbat /Req= Vbat /R1 + Vbat /R2 + Vbat /R3 .

Dividing by Vbat, we get: 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

Figure 3
Example 11: In Fig. 4, find the equivalent resistance in each case.

Figure 4

Solution: In Part 1, the two resistors are in series and they simply add up to a
greater resistance (15Ω).

In Part 2, the two resistors are in parallel and their reciprocals add up to yield
the reciprocal of the equivalent that is smaller than the smaller resistor (6Ω ).

In Part 3, the two parallel resistors yield 8Ω. The 8Ω is then in series with
the 9Ω . They add up to 17Ω.

In Part 4, each parallel module must be calculated first. The first module
yields 18Ω, and the one yields 8Ω. The 18Ω and the 8Ω are then in series and add
up to 26Ω.

2.9 A Shortcut for Two Parallel Resistors:

There is a shortcut formula that calculates the equivalent of two parallel resistors
quickly. The formula is:
Example 12: In the previous example, verify the parallel sets by using the
above formula.

Solution: To be done by students.

Example 13: In Fig. 3, let R1 = 30.0Ω, R2 = 6.00Ω, and R3 = 3.33Ω.

Also let Vbat = 4.00 volts. Find Req, I, I1, I2, and I3.

Solution: Req = 1/(1/R1 +1/R2 +1/R3 ) = 2.00Ω. Ohm's Law:

I = Vbat / Req ; I = 4 volts / 2Ω = 2.00A.

Vab = Vdc ;therefore, I1 = Vab /R1 = 4V/30Ω = 0.133A.

I2 = Vab / R2 = 4V/6Ω = 0.667A.

I3 = Vab / R3 = 4V/3.33Ω = 1.20A.

Obviously : I1 + I2 + I3 = 2.00A. (Verify).

2.10 Mixed Series and Parallel Circuits:

There are many cases in which a parallel module is in series with other
modules. The other modules may also be comprised of series or parallel modules
themselves. A typical case is shown in the following example:

Example 14: In the figure shown, find the current through, voltage across,
and power dissipation in each resistor.

R1 = 12 Ω, R2 = 60. Ω, R3 = 5.0 Ω, and Vbat = 45 volts.

Solution:

Rab = 1/(1/ R1 + 1/ R2) = 10Ω. The voltmeter across the parallel

module ab reads V1 and V2 that
Rac = Rab+ Rbc = 10 + 5.0 = 15Ω.
are the same. The voltmeter
across bc reads V3 that is the
I = Vbat/Rac = 45volts/15Ω = 3.0A. voltage across R3.
Vbat partially drops across R3 that
is Vbc and partially across the
parallel module Vab.

Vbc = RbcI = 5.0Ω(3.0A) = 15V.

Vab = Vac- Vbc = 45 - 15 = 30V.

I1 = Vab/R1 = 30V/12Ω = 2.5A.

I2 = Vab/R2 = 30V/60Ω = 0.50A.

P1 = V1I1 = 30V(2.5A) = 75 watts.

P2 = 30V(0.50A) = 15 watts.

P3 = 15V(3.0A) = 45 watts.

Figure 5
Example 15: In the figure shown, find the equivalent resistance between
points a and b.

Figure 6

Solution: In the Problem, if a current flows from a to m, it has to divide at m,

partially toward n, and partially toward s. The part that arrives at n must also
divide, partially flow through the 5Ω-resistor and partially through the 60Ω-
resistor. Looking at the top left figure, the part that flows through the 5Ω-resistor
must also flow through the 15Ω resistor as well; therefore, the 5Ω- and 15Ω-
resistors are in series. The first step is to simply add the 5Ω- and 15Ω-resistors to
get an equivalent of 20Ω resistance as shown in Part 1.

In Part 1, since n is a dividing point, the 20Ω and 60Ω resistors are in
parallel. They can be replaced by their equivalent resistance of (20*60)/(20+60)
= 15Ω as shown in Part 2.

In Part 2, the 25Ω- and 15Ω-resistors are in series because whatever current flows
through the 25Ω must also flow through the 15Ω-resistor. They add up to 40Ω as
shown in Part 3.

In Part 3 , the 40Ω- and the 120Ω resistors are in parallel because the current that
arrive at m is a must divide. They can be replaced by their equivalent resistance
of (120*40)/(120+40) = 30Ω as shown in Part 4.

In Part 4, the 50Ω- and the 30Ω-resistors are in series because the current through
the 50Ω-resistor must also flow through the 30Ω-resistor. They add up to a final
value of 80Ω.
Test Yourself 3:
1) Resistors in series experience (a) the same current (b) the same voltage (c) the
same power dissipation.

2) Resistors in parallel experience (a) the same current (b) the same voltage (c)
the same power dissipation.

3) In general, resistors in mixed series and parallel circuits experience (a) the
same current (b) the same voltage (c) neither a nor b.

4) The equivalent resistance for a group of resistors in series is (a) greater than
each individual resistance (b) equal to the sum of the individual resistances (c)
both a & b.

5) The equivalent resistance for a number of resistors in parallel is (a) greater than
the greatest resistance (b) smaller than the smallest resistance (c) equal to the sum
of the individual resistances.

6) The Req for a 120Ω, an 80Ω, and a 48Ω resistor connected in series is (a)
96Ω (b) 248Ω (c) 280Ω.

7) The Req for a 120Ω, an 80Ω, and a 48Ω resistor connected in parallel is (a)
96Ω (b) 248Ω (c) 24Ω.

8) R1 = 120Ω and R2 = 80Ω are in parallel and the result is in series with R3 =
48Ω. Draw a figure and place the parallel set between points A and B, and the
third resistor, R3, between points B and C. The overall resistance between
points A and C is (a) 96Ω (b) 248Ω (c) 24Ω.

9) Between points E and F, a 6.00Ω and a 30.0Ω resistor are in parallel, and
between points F and G, a 12.0Ω and a 60.0Ω resistor are also in parallel. The
module between E and F is in series with the module in between F and G. Draw
a diagram for the problem. The overall resistance between E and G is (a)
3.33Ω (b) 108Ω (c) 15.0Ω.

10) In Example 15, redraw the figure. Double the even value resistors and triple
the odd value ones. The new equivalent resistance between points a and b is (a)
173Ω (b) 273Ω (c) 178Ω.

11) In Example 10, let V = 60volts, R1 = 50Ω, R2 = 150Ω, and R3 =

100Ω. Redraw the figure. Without looking at the solution, recalculate new
values. The values of Rt , I , V1 , V2 , and V3 are (a) 600Ω, 0.4A, 20V, 60V, and
40V (b) 300Ω, 0.2A, 10V, 30V, and 20V (c) 200Ω, 0.1A, 25V, 65V, and
45V. Assume 3 sig. figs. on all values.
Problem: Let a 24-volt battery be connected to following three resistors in
parallel : R1 = 8Ω , R2 = 12Ω, and R3 = 6Ω. Draw a diagram for the
problem. Answer the following questions:

12) We may say that the voltage across (a) R1 is 24volts (b) R2 is
24volts (c) R3 is 24volts (d) a, b, & c.

13) The currents through the individual resistors are respectively (a)3A, 2A, &
4A (b)3A, 3A, & 3A (d) neither a nor b.

14) The current that leaves the battery is (a) 24A (b) 12A (c) 9A.

15) Using the formula for equivalent resistance of parallel resistors, the equivalent
resistance is (a)2.67Ω (b)26Ω (c) 6Ω.

16) The current that leaves the battery is controlled by the equivalent resistance
that the battery faces. Based on the equivalent resistance, the current that is pulled
from the battery is (a)9A (b)12A (c)24A.

Problem: Let a 36-volt battery be connected to the following three

resistors: R1 = 24Ω, R2 = 48Ω, and R3 =14Ω. Let R1 and R2 be in parallel between
points a and b, and place R3 between points b and c. In your calculations to
follow, name the resistance between a and b as Rab, and the resistance
between b and c, as Rbc. It is very important to draw a diagram for the
problem. Answer the following questions:

17) Rab, the equivalent resistance for the two parallel resistors R1 and R2 is
(a)72Ω (b)24Ω (c)16Ω.

18) Rac, the overall resistance the battery is facing is (a)86Ω (b)30.Ω (c)10.4Ω.

19) If the total resistance that the 36-V battery is facing is 30Ω, the current that the
battery can push out into the circuit is (a)1.2A (b)2.4A (c)3.6A.

20) The current through Rac is (a) 2.57A (b) 1.2A (c) equal to the current that
flows out of the battery (d) b & c.

21) The current through Rab is (a)2.25A (b)1.2A (c) equal to the current that
flows out of the battery (d) equal to the current that flows through Rac (e) b, c, &
d.

22) To find the voltage between points a and b, or Vab , (a) Rab must be multiplied
by 1.2A (b) we think that Vab is just equal to the battery voltage (c)
neither a nor b.
23) To find the voltage between b and c, or Vbc, (a) Rbc must be multiplied by the
1.2A (b) we think that Vbc is just equal to the battery voltage (c) neither a nor b.

24) The current that flows through R1 is (a) more than 1.2A (b) less than
1.2A (c) equal to 1.2A.

25) The current in any portion of this circuit (a) can be more than 1.2A (b) cannot
be more than 1.2A (c) must be set equal to 1.2A, even in the absence one of R1 or
R2.

26) Since Vab is known as well as R1, the current I1 through R1 is (a) 19.2V/24Ω =
0.80A (b) 36V/24Ω = 1.5A (c) just 1.2A.

27) Since Vab is known as well as R2, the current I2 through R2 is (a) 19.2V/48Ω =
0.40A (b) 36V/24Ω = 1.5A (c) just 1.2A.

28) The sum of the currents in R1 and R2 must be (a)2.4A (b)3.6A (c)1.2A.

29) The sum of the voltage drops across the ab-portion and the bc-portion must be
(a) 72V (b) 36V (c) 0.

30) The power dissipation in R1, R2 , and R3 are: (a) 15.36w, 7.68w, &
20.16w (b) 24w, 48w, & 14w (c) 20w, 40w, & 11.7w.