Variables

Circuits Homework 2.
R = resistance (ohms, Ω)
Equivalent Resistance and Current
Equations I = electric current,
Coulombs/sec or Amp
Rs   Ri V=IR
i V = voltage, Jolts or
1 1 Joules/Coulomb
 P=IV
Rp i Ri
P = power, Watts

1. Earlier in the year we learned that Power is a rate of use of energy with the unit of Watt, which is a
Joule/sec. Show that the equation above gives the same units.

Substitute the appropriate units into the equation P = IV

P  IV   Amp Volt  
Coul Joule Joule
 
sec Coul sec

2. Given the equations above show that Power can be a function of current and resistance. (This might be
the easiest proof you ever do!!)

P = IV (Equation 1)

V = IR (Equation 2) This is Ohm’s Law.

Substitute Equation 2 into Equation 1

P = I(IR) = I2R

3. A current of 2.0 amps exists in the partial circuit shown. What is the potential difference between
a. points A and B
b. points A and C

Between points A and B

V = IR, (2 Amps)(6 ohms) = 12 volts

Between A and C

The drop between A and B is 12 V and the battery lifts the voltage by 36 V. The overall potential
difference between A and C is the sum of the changes between A and B and between B and C:

VAB + VBC = -12V + 36V = 24V

4. Calculate the current and power for the circuits shown here.

C
A B

R = 9 Ω , V = 12 Volts R = 2.67 Ω , V = 6 Volts R = 24 Ω , V = 240 Volts

V = IR V = IR V = IR

solve for I ; I = V/R solve for I ; I = V/R solve for I ; I = V/R

12V/9Ω = 1-1/3 Amp 6V/2.67Ω = 2.25 Amp 24V/240Ω = .1 Amp

 5. For the following circuits draw the equivalent circuit and
a. calculate the total resistance of the circuit
b. calculate the total current through the circuit
c. calculate and the power dissipated by the circuit.

A B

Total Resistance
Add the resistors in series Total Resistance
to get total resistance of the Add the resistors in parallel
circuit: to get total resistance of the
circuit:
R1 + R2 = 9 ohms
RT 
R1 R2

48
Calculate the Total R1  R2 4  8 
Current
RT = 2-2/3 Ω
R = 9 Ω , V = 12 Volts
Calculate the Total
V = IR Current

solve for I ; I = V/R R = 2-2/3 Ω , V = 6 Volts

12V/9Ω = 1-1/3 amp V = IR

Calculate the Power solve for I ; I = V/R

P = IV 6V/2-2/3 Ω = 2-1/4 amp

= (1-1/3 amp)(12 volts) Calculate the Power

= 16 Watts P = IV

= (2-1/4 amp)(6 volts)

= 13.5 Watts
C

Total Resistance
Add the resistors in series to get equivalent circuit:

R1 + R2 = 470 ohms

Add the resistors in parallel to get equivalent circuit:

RT 
R1 R2

470180  130
R1  R2 470  180 

Add the resistors in series to get equivalent circuit:

R1 + R2 = 240 ohms

Calculate the Total Current

Rtotal = 240 Ω , V = 24 Volts

V = IR

solve for I ; I = V/R

24V/240Ω = .1 amp

Calculate the Power

P = IV

= (.1 amp)(24 volts)

= 2.4 Watts