General Physics II

11.doc, February 12, 1999 \Gp_Spring

Analyzing Parallel/Series Resistor Networks

Recall
1. Ohm's Law V=IR (V is the voltage across a resistor, I is the current through the resistor, and
R is the resistance of the resistor.)
2. Power formulae P = IV = I2R = V2/R
3. Resistor combinations
a) Series If R1 and R2 are in series, the equivalent resistance is R1 + R2.
R1 R2
b) Parallel If R1 and R2 are in parallel, the equivalent resistance is
.
R1 + R2
Principles (these are one form of what are known as Kirchhoff's Laws)
The first two problems will show how the following principles are used.
1. As you move along a path through a circuit, the voltages across resistors and batteries add
algebraically.
This is the law of conservation of energy applied to electron potential energy. "Algebraically" means you must
keep track of signs; voltage changes can be positive or negative. It is like keeping track of your height above
sea level as you hike up positive and down negative over a series of rolling hills.

2. At any junction of wires in a circuit, the total current flowing in equals the total current
flowing out.
This is the law of conservation of charge applied to electrons.

Problem 1 (example): derived from Cutnell & Johnson chapter 20 problem 67

Assume that in the circuit for this problem the battery voltage is V = 12 V. Follow the steps
below to determine the power dissipated in the 2.0 resistor.
a) Simplify the circuit to a single resistor.
Answer 6.0
b) Find the current flowing out of the positive terminal of the
battery.
Answer 2.0 A
c) Use Ohm's Law and the principles stated above to calculate
voltages and currents in the circuit until you have the
current through the 2.0 resistor. If you do not know what
you are supposed to do next, ask yourself, "With what I
V
know already, what else can I calculate?" Just keep
calculating things, and you will eventually end up with what
Circuit for Problems 1 and 2
the problem asked for. Do not think you have to go directly
to the answer.
Answer 4/3 A
d) Find the power in the 2.0 resistor.
Answer 32/9 watt
Problem 2 (example)
Using the same circuit as for Problem 1, assume the battery voltage is now unknown, but the
voltage across the 5.0 resistor is 5.0 V. Find the battery voltage V.
Answer 18 V

PHY 102

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General Physics II
Problem 3: Cutnell & Johnson Chapter 20 problem 69
The current in the 8.00 resistor for the circuit for this
problem is 0.500 ampere.
Method for answering the following questions What can you
calculate with what you know?
a) Find the current in the 20.0 resistor.
b) Find the current in the 9.00 resistor.

Answer 3/4 ampere

Answer 19/9 ampere

Assignment
Circuit for Problem 3
1. Read for this class Chapter 20 sections 20.8 and 20.9
2. Work due at the end of this class Problem 3
3. Homework due before next class Problem 3 if not completed in class
4. Practice Problems Cutnell & Johnson chapter 20 problems 60 - 75
5. Read for next class Cutnell & Johnson chapter 21 sections 21.1 and 21.2

PHY 102

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