Chapter 28

Direct Current Circuits

Multiple Choice
1. At what rate is thermal energy being generated in the 2R-resistor when E = 12 V
and R = 3.0 Ω?
R

+
E R
2R
–

a. 12 W
b. 24 W
c. 6.0 W
d. 3.0 W
e. 1.5 W

2. At what rate is thermal energy generated in the 30-Ω resistor?

10 Ω

+
30 Ω
30 V 5.0 Ω
–

5.0 Ω

a. 20 W
b. 27 W
c. 60 W
d. 13 W
e. 30 W

93
94 CHAPTER 28

3. What is the magnitude of the potential difference across the 20-Ω resistor?
10 Ω

+
11 V 20 Ω 10 Ω
–

5.0 Ω 10 Ω

a. 3.2 V
b. 7.8 V
c. 11 V
d. 5.0 V
e. 8.6 V

4. What is the current in the 10-Ω resistor ?

+
21 V 5Ω 10 Ω 5Ω
–

5Ω

a. 0.60 A
b. 3.0 A
c. 1.2 A
d. 2.4 A
e. 0.30 A

5. At what rate is thermal energy generated in the 20-Ω resistor when E = 20 V?

40 Ω

+
E 30 Ω 30 Ω 30 Ω
–

20 Ω

a. 6.5 W
b. 1.6 W
c. 15 W
d. 26 W
e. 5.7 W
 Direct Current Circuits 95

6. At what rate is thermal energy generated in the 5-Ω resistor when E = 24 V?

5.0 Ω

+
E 10 Ω 10 Ω 10 Ω
–

10 Ω

a. 13 W
b. 3.2 W
c. 23 W
d. 39 W
e. 51 W

7. When a 20-V emf is placed across two resistors in series, a current of 2.0 A is
present in each of the resistors. When the same emf is placed across the same two
resistors in parallel, the current through the emf is 10 A. What is the magnitude
of the greater of the two resistances?
a. 7.2 Ω
b. 7.6 Ω
c. 6.9 Ω
d. 8.0 Ω
e. 2.8 Ω

8. A resistor of unknown resistance and a 15-Ω resistor are connected across a 20-V
emf in such a way that a 2.0 A current is observed in the emf. What is the value
of the unknown resistance?
a. 75 Ω
b. 12 Ω
c. 7.5 Ω
d. 30 Ω
e. 5.0 Ω

9. What is the current in the 15-Ω resistor when E = 9.0 V?

20 Ω

+
E 15 Ω 30 Ω
–

a. 0.20 A
b. 0.30 A
c. 0.10 A
d. 0.26 A
e. 0.60 A
96 CHAPTER 28

10. How much heat is produced in the 10-Ω resistor in 5.0 s when E = 18 V?

+
E 15 Ω 10 Ω
–

12 Ω

a. 72 J
b. 32 J
c. 50 J
d. 18 J
e. 90 J

11. Determine E when I = 0.50 A and R = 12 Ω.

R 2R

+
E 2R
–
I

a. 12 V
b. 24 V
c. 30 V
d. 15 V
e. 6.0 V

12. Determine R when I = 0.20 A and E = 18 V.

R 4R

+
3R
E
–
I

2R

a. 50 Ω
b. 8.0 Ω
c. 10 Ω
d. 20 Ω
e. 30 Ω
 Direct Current Circuits 97

13. Determine the current in the 10-V emf.

5.0 Ω

+ –
10 V 5.0 Ω 15 V
– +

5.0 Ω

a. 2.3 A
b. 2.7 A
c. 1.3 A
d. 0.30 A
e. 2.5 A

14. What is the magnitude of the current in the 20-Ω resistor?

10 Ω

+ +
10 V 20 Ω 15 V
– –

10 Ω

a. 0.75 A
b. 0.00 A
c. 0.25 A
d. 0.50 A
e. 1.00 A

15. Determine the potential difference Va – Vb shown in the circuit below.

10 Ω
b

10 Ω
+
10 V 10 Ω
–
–
15 V
+
a
10 Ω

a. –5.0 V
b. +5.0 V
c. –10 V
d. +10 V
e. 0V
98 CHAPTER 28

16. What is the potential difference Vb – Va shown in the circuit below.

10 Ω
a

+
30 V
–
–
10 V 20 Ω
+
10 Ω

a. –8.0 V
b. +8.0 V
c. –18 V
d. +18 V
e. –12 V

17. At what rate is power supplied by the 10-V emf shown below?

+ –
10 V 10 Ω 20 V
– +

10 Ω 20 Ω

a. –10 W
b. +10 W
c. zero
d. +20 W
e. –20 W

18. If E = 8.0 V, at what rate is that emf providing energy to the circuit shown below?
15 Ω

+ –
12 V 10 Ω E
– +

10 Ω

a. 8.4 W
b. 7.6 W
c. 5.6 W
d. 11 W
e. 2.0 W
 Direct Current Circuits 99

19. Determine the magnitude and sense (direction) of the current in the 500-Ω
resistor when I = 30 mA.
500 Ω

–
15 V –
+ + 10 V
30 V +
– R I

400 Ω

a. 56 mA left to right
b. 56 mA right to left
c. 48 mA left to right
d. 48 mA right to left
e. 26 mA left to right

20. Determine the magnitude and sense (direction) of the current in the 10-Ω resistor
when I = 1.8 A.

+
50 V
+
–
30 V I R
–
20 Ω

10 Ω

a. 1.6 A right to left

b. 1.6 A left to right
c. 1.2 A right to left
d. 1.2 A left to right
e. 1.8 A left to right
100 CHAPTER 28

21. Determine the resistance R when I = 1.5 A.

+
50 V
+
–
30 V I R
–
20 Ω

10 Ω

a. 40 Ω
b. 8.0 Ω
c. 85 Ω
d. 28 Ω
e. 32 Ω

22. What is the potential difference VB – VA when the I= 1.5 A in the circuit segment
below?
20 Ω
I
A B
– + + –
20 V 12 V

a. +22 V
b. –22 V
c. –38 V
d. +38 V
e. +2.0 V

23. What is the potential difference VB – VA when I = 0.50 A in the circuit segment
shown below?
10 Ω 16 Ω
I
A B
– +
15 V

a. +28 V
b. +2.0 V
c. –28 V
d. –2.0 V
e. +18 V
 Direct Current Circuits 101

24. If R = 2.0 kΩ, C = 4.0 mF, E = 8.0 V, Q = 20 mC, and I = 3.0 mA, what is the
potential difference Vb – Va?
R C
+ – I
a b
+ – – +
Q
E

a. +7.0 V
b. +19 V
c. +9.0 V
d. –3.0 V
e. –14 V

25. If R = 3.0 kΩ, C = 5.0 mF, E = 6.0 V, Q = 15 mC, and I = 4.0 mA, what is the
potential difference Vb – Va?
C E R
– + I
a b
– + – +
Q

a. –3.0 V
b. +9.0 V
c. –15 V
d. +21 V
e. –6.0 V

26. If R = 4.0 kΩ, C = 3.0 mF, E = 15 V, Q = 12 mC, and I = 2.0 mA, what is the
potential difference Vb – Va?
E R C
I – +
a b
+ – – +
Q

a. +3.0 V
b. –19 V
c. –3.0 V
d. +27 V
e. +21 V

27. If R = 3.0 kΩ, C = 6.0 nF, E 1 = 10.0 V, Q = 18 nC, E 2 = 6.0 V, and I = 5.0 mA, what
is the potential difference Vb – Va?
E1 E2
R – +
– + I
a – + b
+ – – + + –
C Q

a. –13 V
b. +28 V
c. +13 V
d. –28 V
e. +2.0 V
102 CHAPTER 28

28. If E 1 = 4.0 V, E 2 = 12.0 V, R1 = 4 Ω, R2 = 12 Ω, C = 3 µF, Q = 18 µC, and I = 2.5 A,

what is the potential difference Va – Vb?
R1
a
+ –
E1 +
E2

– C
+ Q
I
b
R2

a. –30 V
b. 30 V
c. 5.0 V
d. –5.0 V
e. –1.0 V

29. If the current in the 4.0-Ω resistor is 1.4 A, what is the magnitude of the potential
difference, VA – VB?
2Ω 2Ω 8Ω
A

2Ω 16 Ω 4Ω

a. 69 V
b. 55 V
c. 62 V
d. 48 V
e. 31 V

30. If I = 0.40 A in the circuit segment shown below, what is the potential difference
Va – Vb?
10 Ω
I
a

8Ω 12 Ω

b
10 Ω

a. 31 V
b. 28 V
c. 25 V
d. 34 V
e. 10 V
 Direct Current Circuits 103

31. If I = 2.0 A in the circuit segment shown below, what is the potential difference
VB – VA?
10 Ω
I
A B
+ – + –
20 V 10 V

a. +10 V
b. –20 V
c. –10 V
d. +20 V
e. +30 V

32. Determine the potential difference, VA – VB in the circuit segment shown below
when I = 2.0 mA and Q = 50 µC.
Q 15 k Ω
+ – I
A B
– + + –
15 V 2.0 µF

a. –40 V
b. +40 V
c. +20 V
d. –20 V
e. –10 V

33. If Q = 400 µC and the potential difference VA – VB = –10 V in the circuit segment
shown below, what is the current in the resistor?
Q 20 k Ω
+ – B
A
+ – – +
10 µF 30 V

a. 1.0 mA right to left

b. 1.0 mA left to right
c. 3.5 mA right to left
d. 3.5 mA left to right
e. None of the above

34. If Q = 350 µC and I = 4.0 mA in the circuit segment shown below, determine the
potential difference, VA – VB.
Q 5.0 k Ω
I + –
B A
+ – + –
25 V 10 µF

a. –30 V
b. +80 V
c. +40 V
d. –40 V
e. +10 V
104 CHAPTER 28

35. In an RC circuit, how many time constants must elapse if an initially uncharged
capacitor is to reach 80% of its final potential difference?
a. 2.2
b. 1.9
c. 1.6
d. 3.0
e. 5.0

36. How many time constants must elapse if an initially charged capacitor is to
discharge 55% of its stored energy through a resistor?
a. 0.60
b. 0.46
c. 0.52
d. 0.40
e. 1.1

37. In an RC circuit, what fraction of the final energy is stored in an initially

uncharged capacitor after it has been charging for 3.0 time constants?
a. 0.84
b. 0.90
c. 0.75
d. 0.60
e. 0.03

38. How long will it take a charged 80-µF capacitor to lose 20% of its initial energy
when it is allowed to discharge through a 45-Ω resistor?
a. 0.92 ms
b. 0.64 ms
c. 0.40 ms
d. 0.19 ms
e. 0.80 ms
 Direct Current Circuits 105

39. At t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 50 µF, E = 20 V,

and R = 4.0 kΩ, what is the charge on the capacitor when I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+
+ +Q
E
– –C
–

a. 360 µC
b. 480 µC
c. 240 µC
d. 600 µC
e. 400 µC

40. At t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 30 µF, E = 30 V,

and R = 5.0 kΩ, at what rate is energy being stored in the capacitor when
I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+
+ +Q
E
– –C
–

a. 32 mW
b. 40 mW
c. 44 mW
d. 36 mW
e. 80 mW
106 CHAPTER 28

41. At t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 40 µF, E = 50 V,

and R = 5.0 kΩ, how much energy is stored by the capacitor when I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+
+ +Q
E
– –C
–

a. 20 mJ
b. 28 mJ
c. 32 mJ
d. 36 mJ
e. 40 mJ

42. At t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 30 µF, E = 50 V,

and R = 10 kΩ, what is the potential difference across the capacitor when
I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+
+ +Q
E
– –C
–

a. 20 V
b. 15 V
c. 25 V
d. 30 V
e. 45 V

43. A capacitor in a single-loop RC circuit is charged to 85% of its final potential

difference in 2.4 s. What is the time constant for this circuit?
a. 1.5 s
b. 1.3 s
c. 1.7 s
d. 1.9 s
e. 2.9 s
 Direct Current Circuits 107

44. What is the equivalent resistance between points a and b when R = 13 Ω?

R

2R
b

3R

a
R

a. 29 Ω
b. 23 Ω
c. 26 Ω
d. 20 Ω
e. 4.6 Ω

45. What is the equivalent resistance between points a and b when R = 30 Ω?

R R

R
a b

a. 27 Ω
b. 21 Ω
c. 24 Ω
d. 18 Ω
e. 7.5 Ω
108 CHAPTER 28

46. What is the equivalent resistance between points a and b when R = 12 Ω?

R R
a

R R

b
R R

a. 20 Ω
b. 16 Ω
c. 24 Ω
d. 28 Ω
e. 6.0 Ω

47. What is the equivalent resistance between points a and b?

20 Ω
a

10 Ω 10 Ω 10 Ω

b
5Ω

a. 14 Ω
b. 8.0 Ω
c. 6.0 Ω
d. 25 Ω
e. 40 Ω

48. If R1 = 10 Ω, R2 = 15 Ω, R3 = 20 Ω, and I = 0.50 A, at what rate is heat being

generated in these resistors?
R1

R2

R3

a. 29 W
b. 16 W
c. 22 W
d. 11 W
e. 1.1 W
 Direct Current Circuits 109

49. If R1 = 3.0 Ω, R2 = 6.0 Ω, R3 = 12 Ω, and I = 0.50 A, at what rate is heat being

generated in R1?

R1 R2 R3

a. 20 W
b. 17 W
c. 12 W
d. 31 W
e. 6.0 W

50. A certain brand of hot dog cooker applies a potential difference (120 V) to
opposite ends of the hot dog and cooks by means of the joule heat produced. If
60 kJ is needed to cook each hot dog, what current is needed to cook four hot
dogs simultaneously in 3.0 min?
a. 11 A
b. 2.8 A
c. 8.3 A
d. 2.1 A
e. 3.6 A

51. If 480 C pass through a 4.0-Ω resistor in 10 min, what is the potential difference
across the resistor?
a. 3.6 V
b. 2.8 V
c. 2.4 V
d. 3.2 V
e. 5.0 V
110 CHAPTER 28

52. A 10-V battery is connected to a 15-Ω resistor and an unknown resistor R, as

shown. The current in the circuit is 0.40 A. How much heat is produced in the
15-Ω resistor in 2.0 min?
R

15 Ω I

+ –
10 V

a. 0.40 kJ
b. 0.19 kJ
c. 0.29 kJ
d. 0.72 kJ
e. 0.80 kJ

53. What is the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the figure when
R = 20 Ω?
R 2R 4R
A

B
R 2R 4R

a. 77 Ω
b. 63 Ω
c. 70 Ω
d. 84 Ω
e. 140 Ω

54. What is the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the figure when
R = 18 Ω?
3R 5R
B

3R 5R

A
3R 5R

a. 48 Ω
b. 64 Ω
c. 80 Ω
d. 96 Ω
e. 110 Ω
 Direct Current Circuits 111

55. What is the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the figure when
R = 10 Ω?
2R
B

R R
2R

A
5R

a. 20 Ω
b. 10 Ω
c. 25 Ω
d. 15 Ω
e. 3.2 Ω

56. In a loop in a closed circuit, the sum of the currents entering a junction equals the
sum of the currents leaving a junction because
a. the potential of the nearest battery is the potential at the junction.
b. there are no transformations of energy from one type to another in a circuit
loop.
c. capacitors tend to maintain current through them at a constant value.
d. current is used up after it leaves a junction.
e. charge is neither created nor destroyed at a junction.

57. When a capacitor is fully charged, the current through the capacitor is
a. zero.
b. at its maximum value.
c. equal to the current in a resistive circuit in parallel with the capacitor circuit.
d. greater than the current in a resistor that is farther from the battery than the
capacitor.
e. zero if it is the only capacitor, but maximum if there is another capacitor in
series with it.

58. The algebraic sum of the changes of potential around any closed circuit loop is
a. zero.
b. maximum.
c. zero only if there are no sources of emf in the loop.
d. maximum if there are no sources of emf in the loop.
e. equal to the sum of the currents in the branches of the loop.
112 CHAPTER 28

59. The circuit below contains three 100W light bulbs. The emf E = 110 V. Which
light bulb(s) is(are) brightest?

A B
+
E
–
C

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. B and C
e. All three are equally bright.

60. The circuit below contains three 100 watt light bulbs. The emf E = 110 V. Which
light bulb(s) is(are) the brightest?

A
+
E
–
B C

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. B and C
e. All three are equally bright.

61. The circuit below contains three light bulbs and a capacitor. The emf E = 110V.
The capacitor is fully charged. Which light bulb(s) is(are) dimmest?

A
+
E
–
B C

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A and B
e. All three are equally bright (or dim).
 Direct Current Circuits 113

62. The circuit below contains three light bulbs and a capacitor. The emf E = 110V. At
the instant the switch S is closed, which light bulb is brightest?

A
+
E
–
B C

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A and B
e. All three are equally bright.

63. The circuit below contains three resistors, A, B, and C, which all have equal
resistances. The emf E = 110V. Which resistor generates the most thermal energy
after the switch is closed?

A
+
E C
–
B

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A and B
e. All three generate equal amounts of thermal energy.
114 CHAPTER 28

64. The diagram shown represents a portion of a wire in a circuit. A current is

flowing in the wire in the direction shown. Under the convention that it is
positive charge that flows the electric field points in the direction of the current.
How can the electric field change direction where the wire bends?

a. There is an excess of negative charge in the center of the wire.

b. There is an excess of positive charge at the bottom end of the wire.
c. There is an excess of negative charge at the right end of the upper portion of
the wire.
d. There is an accumulation of positive charge on the surface, particularly at
the bend, such that the sum of electric fields gives the new electric field.
e. There is an accumulation of electrical potential as the current traverses the
wire: The higher potential in the lower half is the source of the field.

65. The circuit below contains three light bulbs and a capacitor. The emf is 110 V and
the capacitor is fully charged. Which light bulb(s) is (are) brightest?

A C

110 V

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A and B
e. A and C
 Direct Current Circuits 115

66. The circuit below contains 4 light bulbs. The emf is 110 V. Which light bulb(s)
is(are) brightest?
C D

110 V

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. C and D

67. The circuit below contains 4 light bulbs. The emf is 110 V. Which light bulb(s)
is(are) brightest?
C D

110 V

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. C and D
116 CHAPTER 28

68. The circuit below contains 3 light bulbs and a capacitor. The emf is 110 V. Which
light bulb(s) is(are) brightest? (Assume the capacitor is fully charged.)

C
A

110 V

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A and B
e. All three are equally bright.

69. Which light bulb(s) is(are) brightest when the capacitor has half its maximum
charge?

C
A

110 V

a. A
b. B
c. C
d. A and B
e. All three are equally bright.
 Direct Current Circuits 117

70. The circuit below contains 5 light bulbs. The emf is 110 V. Which light bulb(s)
is(are) brightest?

A C

110 V E

B D

a. A: The one closest to the positive terminal of the battery.

b. A and C: The bulbs closest to the positive terminal of the battery.
c. A and B: Because they are closest to the terminals of the battery.
d. C and D: Because they receive current from A and B and from E.
e. E: Because the potential difference across E is that of the battery.

71. The battery is disconnected from a series RC circuit after the capacitor is fully
charged and is replaced by an open switch. When the switch is closed,
a. the current through the resistor is always greater than the current through
the capacitor.
b. the current through the resistor is always less than the current through the
capacitor.
c. the current through the resistor is always equal to the current through the
capacitor.
d. the capacitor does not allow current to pass.
e. the current stops in the resistor.

72. The capacitors are completely discharged in the circuit shown below.
S

C1 C2

110 V

R1 R2

The two resistors have the same resistance R and the two capacitors have the
same capacitance C. After the switch is closed, the current
a. is greatest in C1 .
b. is greatest in C 2 .
c. is greatest in R1 .
d. is greatest in R2 .
e. is the same in C1 , C 2 , R1 and R2 .
118 CHAPTER 28

73. Which two circuits are exactly equivalent?

R1 R3 R1 R2 R2 R3

110V 110V 110V

R2 R3 R1

A B C

R1 R2 R2 R1

110V 110V

R3 R3

D E
a. A and B
b. B and C
c. C and D
d. D and E
e. B and E

Open-Ended Problems
74. What is the maximum number of 100-W lightbulbs you can connect in parallel in
a 120-V home circuit without tripping the 20-A circuit breaker?

75. A 5000-Ω resistor and a 50-µF capacitor are connected in series at t = 0 with a 6-V
battery. The capacitor is initially uncharged. What is the current in the circuit at
t = 0? At t = 0.5 s? What is the maximum charge stored on the capacitor?

76. An initially uncharged 10-µF capacitor is charged by a 10-V battery through a

resistance R. The capacitor reaches a potential difference of 4 V in a period of 3 s
after the charging began. Find the value of R.