Prof.

Anchordoqui

Problems set # 6 Physics 167 Solutions

1. Find the current I in the circuit shown Fig. 1.

4Ω

8Ω
1Ω
16 Ω

16 Ω

I 3Ω 1Ω

20 V

Figure 1: Problem 1.

1 for
Solution: The equivalent resistance, Req

4Ω

8Ω

16 Ω

16 Ω

1 1 1 1 1
Ω−1 = 1
Ω−1 ; therefore, Req
1 = 2 Ω. This is in series with the


is 1
Req
= 4 + 8 +16 16 + 2
1 Ω resistor. 2
Hence, Req = Req1 + 1 Ω = 3 Ω. Now, R2 is in parallel with the 3 Ω resis-
eq
tance, R13 = 1 1 −1 ; 3 = 1.5 Ω The total equivalent resistance of the circuit is


3 + 3 Ω therefore, Req
eq
V 20 V
Req = (1.5 + 1) Ω = 2.5 Ω From Ohm’s law, V = IR, we get I = Req = 2.5 Ω = 8 A.

2. In the circuit shown in Fig. 2, the power produced by bulb1 and bulb2 is 1 kW and 50 W,
respectively. Which light has the higher resistance? (Assume the resitance of the light bulb remains
constant with time.)
 bulb1 bulb2
100 V i1 i2

Figure 2: Problem 2.

Solution: The power dissipated by light bulb one and two, respectively, is P1 = I12 R1 = I1 V and

2
P2 = I22 R2 = I2 V . Thus, we have I1 = P1 /V and I2 = P2 /V . This implies that P1 = PV1 R1 ⇒
2 2
R1 = VP1 = 10 Ω. Likewise R2 = VP2 = 200 Ω.

3. A regular tetrahedron is a pyramid with a triangular base. Six R = 10.0 Ω resistors are
placed along its six edges, with junctions at its four vertices, as shown in Fig. 3. A 12.0-V battery
is connected to any two of the vertices. Find (i) the equivalent resistance of the tetrahedron be-
tween these vertices and (ii) the current in the battery.
R

R
R

R R

Figure 3: Problem 3.

Solution: (i) First let us flatten the circuit on a 2-D plane as shown in Fig. 4; then reorganize it
to a format easier to read. Note that the voltage VAB = 0 in Fig. 5 and so the middle resistor can
be removed without affecting the circuit. The remaining resistors over the three parallel branches
have equivalent resistance R1tot = R1 + 2R 1 1
+ 2R = R2 ⇒ Req = 5 Ω. (ii) The current through the
∆V 12.0 V
battery isn Req = 5 Ω = 2.40 A.

4. Determine the magnitude and directions of the currents through R1 = 22 Ω and R2 = 15 Ω

in the circuit of Fig. 6. The batteries have an internal resistance of r = 1.2 Ω.
 on a 2-D plane
t to a format
he five resistors
onnection as
ame argument
tor can be
the circuit. The
e three parallel
esistance

00 .

battery is

FIG. P28.72(a)
Figure 4: Solution of problem 3.
 R
R
R A B

Physics: Principles with Applications,R6th Edition

R
so there must be three independent equations to determine
Kirchhoff’s junction rule applied
Figureto the junction
5: More of ofthe
on the solution three3.
problem

9.0V Ii11
ff’s loop rule applied to 1.2 22
corner, and
Ii22
1.2 9.0 V 0 15
iI33 6.0V
off’s loop rule applied
1.2
r left corner, and
Figure 6: Problem 4.
6 15I 2 1.2 I 3
Solution: There are three currents involved, and so there must be three independent equations to
equation, so that there
determine are currents.
those three two equations
One comes with two unknowns.
from Kirchhoff’s junction rule applied to the junction
of the three branches on the left of the circuit: i1 = i2 + i3 . Another equation comes from
1.2 I 3 23.2 I 2 24.4
Kirchhoff’s loopIrule
3
; applied
6 to15the I 2 outer
1.2loop,
I 3 starting at the lower left corner, and progressing
counterclockwise
and substitute into the top loop equation, resulting in an
−i3 (1.2 Ω) + 6 V − i1 (22 Ω) − i1 (1.2 Ω) + 9 V = 0 ⇒ 15 = 23.2i1 + 1.2i3 .
h can be solved.
The final equation comes from Kirchhoff’s loop rule applied to the bottom loop, strating at the
2I 3 lower left corner, and progressing counterclockwise:

−i3 (1.2 Ω) + 6 V + i2 (15 Ω) = 0 ⇒ 6 = −15i2 + 1.2i3 .

2I 3 Substitute i1 = i2 + i3 into the loop equation, so that there are two equations with two unknowns
24.4I 3 225 138 27.84I 366I
15 = 23.2i1 + 1.2i3 =3 23.2(i2 + i33 ) + 1.2i3 = 23.2i2 + 24.4i3

1.2I 3 6 1.2 0.9217

0.3263A 0.33 A , left
15 15
hree independent iI11 R1
from Kirchhoff’s
s on the right of
"1
E1
R2

ied to the top loop, Ii22

ssing clockwise. "2
E2 R3
lied to the bottom
progressing Ii33

Figure 7: Problem 5.

here areandtwo equations with6two

= −15i unknowns.
+ 1.2i 2 3

. Solve the bottom loop equation for i2 and substitute into the loop equation, resulting in an
12 35I 3equation
18with
I 2 only one unknown, which can be solved
−6 + 1.2i3
6 = −15i2 + 1.2i3 ⇒ i2 =
the top loop equation, resulting
 
in an 15
−6 + 1.2i3
15 = 23.2i2 + 24.4i3 = 23.2 + 24.4i3 ⇒ i3 = 363/393.84 = 0.917 A;
15
−6 + 1.2i3
i2 = = −0.33 A, left.
15
i1 = i2 + i3 = 0.6 A, left.
material is protected under all copyright laws as they
5. Determine the magnitude and directions of the currents in each resistor shown in Fig. 7.
y means, without permission
The batteries has emfs ofin
ε1 writing
= 9 V and from
ε2 = 12the
V and the resistors have values of R1 = 25 Ω,
R2 = 18 Ω, and R3 = 35 Ω.
 Solution: There are three currents involved, and so there must be three independent equations
to determine those currents. One comes from Kirchhoff’s junction rule applied to the junction on
the three branches on the right of the circuit

i2 = i1 + i3 ⇒ i1 = i2 − i3 .

Another equation comes from Kirchhoff’s loop rule applied to the top loop, starting at the negative
terminal of the battery and progressing clockwise

ε1 − i1 R1 − i2 R2 = 0 ⇒ 9 = 25i1 + 18i2 .

The final equation comes from Kirchhoff’s loop rule applied to the bottom loop, starting at the
negative terminal of the battery and progressing counterclockwise

ε2 − i3 R3 − i2 R2 = 0 ⇒ 12 = 35i3 + 18i2 .

Substitute i1 = i2 − i3 into the loop equation, so that there are two equations with two unknowns:

9 = 25i1 + 18i2 = 25(i2 − i3 ) + 18i2 = 43i2 − 25i3

and
12 = 35i3 + 18i2 .
Solve the bottom loop equation for i2 and substitute into the top loop equation, resulting in an
equation with only one unknown, which can be solved
12 − 35i3
12 = 35i3 + 18i2 ⇒ i2 =
18
 
12 − 35i3 354
9 = 43i2 − 25i3 = 43 − 25i3 ⇒ 162 = 516 − 1505i3 − 450i3 ⇒ i3 = = 0.18 A, up ;
18 1955
12 − 35i3
i2 = = 0.31 A, left
18
and
i1 = i2 − i3 = 0.13 A, right.