Resistors connected in series Find V2 and V5

Method 1 (finding current first) Current is the same throughout the

ℰ=3V
Reff =2+5 =7Ω whole circuit as the circuit is in series,
V 3 therefore, a current of 0.429 A passes
I= = = 0.429 A
Reff 7 through the 2 Ω resistor, the 5 Ω
V = IR = 0.429 × 2 = 0.857 V resistor and even the battery.
2Ω 5Ω
I Method 2 (using proportions) V2 + V5 =3
P.d. across the 2 Ω resistor = I×2 +I×5 =3
V2 V5 2 2
× 3 = 0.857 V V2 is of the total p.d.
2+7 2+5
5
V5 is of the total p.d.
2+5

Resistors connected in parallel Find I2, I5 and I

ℰ=3V Method 1 (using V = IR directly) Method 2 (finding I first using Reff)
V 3 −1
I2 = 2 = = 1.5 A 1 1 10
R 2 Reff = + = Ω
V 3 5 2 7
I5 I5 = 5 = = 0.6 A 10
R 5 I =3÷ = 2.1 A
I = I2 + I5 = 2.1 A 7
5Ω I 5
Recognise that V2 = V5 = 3 V I2 = × 2.1 = 1.5 A
2+5
(not drawn in diagram) I5 = 2.1 – 1.6 = 0.5 A
I
2Ω
I2
Find I1, I2 and I Find Vx
Method 1 (you can try Method 2) • V3 = I1R = 0.875 × 3 = 2.625 V
ℰ=7V V + V5 7 • V4 = I2R = 1.17 × 4 = 4.67 V
I1 = 3 = =0.875 A
R 3+5 • Suppose A has a potential of 7 V.
V + V2 7
I1 I2 = 4 = =1.17 A • Since Points A, B and C are “the
R 4+2
D I = I2 + I5 = 2.04 A same wire”, they all are at 7 V.
B
3Ω 5Ω Recognise that • D’s potential is 2.63 V lower than B’s.
Vx V3 + V5 = V4 + V2 = 7 V • E’s potential is 4.67 V lower than C’s.
• Potential at D = 7 – 2.63 = 4.37 V
A I 4Ω 2Ω • Potential at E = 7– 2.67 = 2.33 V
C I E
2 • Vx = 4.37 – 2.33 = 2.04 V

n resistors of the same Find the effective resistance of these resistors

resistance connected −1
1 1
in parallel 8Ω 3Ω 8Ω 3Ω = +
8+3 4
2Ω = 2.93 Ω
4Ω 4Ω
1 1 −1
7Ω = + 5Ω
7 7
−1 5Ω
7Ω 2 6Ω 1 1 1 −1
= = + +
7 6Ω 5 6 7
7 = 1.96 Ω
= Ω 7Ω
2 7Ω
9Ω

1 1 1 −1
= + + 2Ω 2.93 Ω
7 7 7
7Ω 2Ω 2.93 Ω
−1
3
= 1.96 Ω
7Ω 7
1.96 Ω −1
7 1 1
= Ω = +
7Ω 3 9Ω 2+2.93 1.96
= 1.40 Ω

If there are n of such

resistors, 1.40 Ω −1
1 1
n −1 7 Reff = +
1.40 9
= 1.21 Ω
Reff = = Ω
7 n
9Ω