Ammeter reading ≡ Current

Voltmeter reading ≡ Potential difference ≡ Voltage

Effective resistance, R

(a)
(b)
 (c)
(d)

(e) (f)

(h)
(g)

(i) (j)

Solve problems using V = IR

Exercise

1. The two bulbs in the figure have a resistance of 2 and 3

respectively. If the voltage of the dry cell is 2.5 V, calculate

(a) the effective resistance, R of the circuit

Effective R = 2 + 3 = 5 

(b) the main current, I in the circuit (c) the potential difference across each bulb.
V = IR 2: V = IR = (0.5)(2) = 1V
2.5 =I(5) 3: V = IR = (0.5)(3) = 1.5 V
= 0.5 A

2. There are two resistors in the circuit shown. Resistor R1 has a

resistance of 1. If a 3V voltage causes a current of 0.5A to flow
through the circuit, calculate the resistance of R2.
V = IR
3=0.5(1+R2)
R2 = 5

3. The electrical current flowing through each branch, I1 and I2, is 5

A. Both bulbs have the same resistance, which is 2. Calculate
the voltage supplied.
Parallelcircuit;V =V1=V2 = IR1 or
= IR2
= 5(2)
= 10 V

4.
The voltage supplied to the parallel is 3 V. R1 and R2
have a resistance of 5 and 20. Calculate

(a) the potential difference across each resistor

3 V (parallel circuit)

(b) the effective resistance, R of the circuit

1/R = 1/5 + 1/20 =1/4
R=4

(c) the main current, I in the circuit (d) the current passing through each resistor
V = IR 5: V = IR 20 : V = IR
3 =I(4) 3 =I(5) 3 =I(20)
= 0.75 A I = 0.6 A I = 0.15 A
5. In the circuit shown, what is the reading on the ammeter
when switch, S

(a) is open? (b) is closed?

Effective R = 6  Effective R = 4 
V = IR V = IR
12 =I(6) 12 =I(4)
I=2A I=3A

6. Determine the voltmeter reading. Determine the ammeter reading.

(a) (a)

(b)

7.

Calculate (d) (i) The potential difference across 8

(a) The effective resistance, R resistor.
R = 12  V = IR
(b) The main current, I = 2(8) = 16 V
I=2A (ii) The potential difference across 2.5
(c) The current passing through 8 and 2.5 resistor.
resistors. V = IR
I=2A = 2(2.5) = 5 V
(e) The current passing through 6  resistor.
V = V8 + V2.5 +Vparallel
24 = 16 + 5 + Vparallel
Vparallel = 3V
V = IR
3 = I(6)
I = 0.5 A