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Ch 25: Current, Resistance, and EMF
Young & Freedman Calc - University Physics 14th Edition
Young & Freedman Calc14th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780321973610Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 25, Problem 33a

The circuit shown in Fig. E25.3325.33 contains two batteries, each with an emf and an internal resistance, and two resistors. Find the current in the circuit (magnitude and direction).
Circuit diagram with two batteries, internal resistances, and resistors: 1.6Ω, 16V; 1.4Ω, 8V; 5Ω; 9Ω.

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1
Identify the components in the circuit: two batteries with emfs of 9.5 V and 4.5 V, internal resistances of 1.8 Ω and 1.2 Ω, and two external resistors of 6.5 Ω and 5.5 Ω.
Apply Kirchhoff's loop rule to the circuit. Start at one point in the loop and move around the circuit, adding the potential differences across each component. The sum of the potential differences in a closed loop is zero.
Write the equation for the loop: 9.5 V - I(1.8 Ω) - I(6.5 Ω) - 4.5 V - I(1.2 Ω) - I(5.5 Ω) = 0, where I is the current in the circuit.
Combine the terms to simplify the equation: 9.5 V - 4.5 V - I(1.8 Ω + 6.5 Ω + 1.2 Ω + 5.5 Ω) = 0.
Solve for the current I by isolating it on one side of the equation: I = (9.5 V - 4.5 V) / (1.8 Ω + 6.5 Ω + 1.2 Ω + 5.5 Ω). This will give you the magnitude of the current. The direction of the current is determined by the direction of the net emf, which is from the 9.5 V battery to the 4.5 V battery.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule states that the sum of the electromotive forces (emfs) and potential differences (voltage drops) around any closed loop in a circuit must equal zero. This principle is essential for analyzing circuits with multiple loops and components, allowing us to set up equations to solve for unknown quantities like current. In the given circuit, applying this rule helps determine the current by accounting for the emfs and resistances present.
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Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electronics that relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in a circuit through the equation V = IR. This law is crucial for calculating the voltage drop across resistors and understanding how current flows through the circuit. In the context of the given circuit, Ohm's Law helps determine the current by considering the total resistance and the net voltage provided by the batteries.
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Internal Resistance of Batteries

Internal resistance is the inherent resistance within a battery that affects its ability to deliver current. It causes a voltage drop inside the battery, reducing the effective voltage available to the external circuit. Understanding internal resistance is vital for accurately calculating the current in circuits with batteries, as it impacts the total resistance and the net voltage applied. In the given circuit, each battery's internal resistance must be considered to find the correct current magnitude and direction.
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