Sec 4 Physics

Name : _______________________( ) Class : _________ Date : ______

DC Circuits

1. A simple series circuit is shown below

9.0 V

1.0 Ω 2.0 Ω

Determine
(a) the current that passes through the ammeter, and
I = V/R = 9.0 V/(1.0 + 2.0) Ω= 3.0 A

(b) the voltage across each of the resistors

V1.0 = I1.0 R1.0 = 3.0 A (1.0 Ω) = 3.0 V
V20 = 9.0 V – 3.0 V = 6.0 V

2. A simple parallel circuit is shown below.

9.0 V
A

1.0 Ω

1.5 Ω

Determine
(a) the current that passes each of the resistors and
I1.0 = V1.0 /R1.0 = 9.0 V /1.0 Ω = 3.0 A
I1.5 = V1.5 /R1.5 = 9.0 V/1.5 Ω = 6.0 A

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(b) the current that passes through the ammeter,
I = I1.0 + I1.5 = 3.0 A + 2.0 A = 5.0 A

3. An electric circuit consists of three resistors R 1, R2 and R3 connected to a 30 V

supply as shown below.
30 V supply

A
R1

B
R2

R3

Each resistor has a resistance of 4.0 .

(a) When only switch A is closed, calculate the current I from the 30V supply. What is
the current I1 through R1 when only A is closed?
I = I1 = 30 V /4.0 Ω = 7.5 A

(b) When only switch B is closed, calculate the current I from the 30V supply, I 2 the
current through R2 and I3 the current through R3.
I2 = I3 = 30 V /4.0 Ω = 7.5 A

I = I2 + I3 = 7.5 A + 7.5 A = 15.0 A

(c) When both switches are closed what are the values of I, I1, I2 and I3?

I1 = I2 = I3 = 30 V/4.0 Ω = 7.5 A

I = I1 + I2 + I3 = 7.5 A + 7.5 A + 7.5 A = 22.5 A

(d) Hence find the combined resistance of the circuit when both switches are closed.

Combined resistance = V/I = 30 V/22.5 A = 1.3 

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4. An electric circuit is set up as shown in the diagram below.

A
9.0 V

1.0

2.0
X Y Z
3.0

(a) What would be the reading on the ammeter?

1/RYZ = 1/3.0 Ω + 1/ 1.0 Ω
RYZ = 0.75 Ω

RXZ = 2.0 Ω + 0.75 Ω

I = V/R = 9.0 V /(2.0 + 0.75) Ω = 3.3 A

(b) Calculate the current that flows through 3.0 .

VYZ = IYZRYZ = 3.3 A x 0.75 Ω

I3.0 = V3.0 /R3.0 = (3.3 A x 0.75 Ω)/3.0 Ω = 0.83 A