Module 6: Direct Current Circuits

Subject: Physics 41
Group: #4
Members:

Date: 3 June 2021

Introduction

Objective:

Significance:
Questions and Answers:

Part A. Answer the questions concisely.

1. Suppose you are doing a physics lab that asks you to put a resistor into a circuit, but all

the resistors supplied have a larger resistance than the requested value. How would

you connect the available resistances to attempt to get the smaller value asked for?

Answer:

Equation for resultant for the parallel connection of resistance is: 1/R E=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3+ ⋯
+1Rn, Where RE here is the equivalent resistance as all the supplied resistors have a larger
resistance than the requested value. So, connect the available resistances in a parallel
orientation in order to get the smaller value asked. In parallel connection the valve resultant
resistor is less than the value of each of the individual resistor.

2. Semi-tractor trucks use four large 12-V batteries. The starter system requires 24 V,

while normal operation of the truck’s other electrical components utilizes 12 V. How

could the four batteries be connected to produce 24 V? To produce 12 V? Why is 24 V

better than 12 V for starting the truck’s engine (a very heavy load)?

Answer:

Batteries are connected in series, the equivalent emf is equals the sum of emf of all the
batteries. Therefore, two batteries of 12V rating should be connected in series so that the
demand of 24V could be met for the starter. For the other electrical component of the trucks,
two batteries of 12V rating should be connected in parallel to meet the requirement of 12V.
The loss of energy due to heat is proportional to the product of square of the current and the
resistance. Keeping the other thing constant, the losses in 24V is half than 12V battery. This
is the reason why 24V battery is preferred in case of heavily loaded truck.

Part B. Answer the problems with a complete solution.

1. An 1800-W toaster, a 1400-W speaker, and a 75-W lamp are plugged into the same

outlet in a 15-A fuse and 120-V circuit. (The three devices are in parallel when plugged

into the same socket.) (a) What current is drawn by each device? (b) Will this

combination blow the 15-A fuse?

Solution:

a) What current is drawn by each device?

I = P/V where V = 120V ; P1 = 1800W ; P2 = 1400W ; P3 = 75W
 I1 = P1/V = 1800/120 = 15A
I2 = P2/V = 1400/120 = 11.7A
I3 = P3/V = 75/120 = 0.63A
b) Will this combination blow the 15-A fuse?
Yes, it definitely will. Based on the summation of all the currents, which is
15+11.7+0.63 = 27.33, it exceeds the maximum current allowed (15A)

2. Consider the circuit shown below. (a) Find I1, I2, I3, I4, and I5. (b) Find the power supplied
by the voltage sources. (c) Find the power dissipated by the resistors.

A) Find I1, I2, I3, I4, I5.

From the circuit diagram, RA is parallel with V2
I4 = V2 /R4 = 5/2 = 2.5
Applying KVL in the first loop:
12 - 4 I1 - 3 I2 = 0 <EQ.1>
4 I1 – 5 - 2 I3 = 0; I1 + I3 = I2
4 I1 – 5 - 2 (I2 - I1) = 0
6 I1 - 2 I2 – 5 = 0 <EQ.2>
Solving for equation 1 and 2:
4 I1 - 3 I2 = -12 (2)
6 I1 - 2 I2 = 5 (-3)

-8 I1 - 6 I2 = -24
-18 I1 + 6 I2 = -15
-26 I1 = -39
I1 = 1.5A
Substituting the value of I1 to equation 2:
 2 I2 = 6(1.5) – 5
I2 = 2A

I3 = I2 - I1
I3 = 0.5A

I5 = I4 – I3
I5 = 2A
B) Find the power supplied by the voltage sources:
P1 = V1(I2) = 12(2) = 24W
P2 = V1(I5) = 5(2) = 10W
PTOTAL = P1 + P2 = 24+10 = 34W
C) Find the power dissipated by the resistors:
PNET = I21R1 + I22R2 + I23R3 + I24R4
PNET = (1.5)2 (4) + 22(3) + (0.5)2(2) + (2.5)2(2)
PNET = 34W

Understanding/Learning:

Recommendation/Suggestions/Comments:

References: