Series and parallel resistors

Kirchhoffs Rules for network problems

Electrical meters and household circuits
R-C circuits

DC CIRCUITS: Chapter 26
C 2012 J. Becker
Learning Goals - we will learn:
How to simplify resistors connected
in a circuit in series and in parallel.
How to simplify and analyze more
complicated networks using
Kirchhoffs Rules.
R-C circuits

Series connection
Parallel connection
Resistors connected in a circuit in series or
parallel can be simplified using the following:
C 1998 McDermott, et al., Prentice Hall
Calculate the total resistance of each box if
each bulb has a resistance of 1000 Ohms (W).
Method of simplifying the circuit in (a) below
to get the equivalent resistance.
We can then calculate the power P = I
2
R
dissipated in each resistor.
Exercise 26.13: Four equivalent light bulbs
R
1
= R
2
= R
3
= R
4
= 4.50 W, emf = 9.00 Volts.
Find current and power in each light bulb.
Which bulb is brightest?
Later, if bulb #4 is removed which bulbs
get brighter? Dimmer?
On the course website, see old Test #1
from previous semesters
for typical DC circuit problems

AND other typical problems on tests

See
www.physics.sjsu.edu/Becker/physics51
These complex circuits cannot
be reduced to series
parallel combinations.
So use Kirchhoffs Rules:
1. S I
j
= 0 junction rule
(valid at any junction);
conservation of charge
2. S (DV
j
) = 0 loop rule
(valid for any closed loop);
conservation of energy
At node A, S Iin = S Iout
I
1
+ I
3
= I
2

S Vrises = S Vdrops
Loop #1:
I
2
R
2
+e
4
+ I
1
R
1
= e
1
+ e
2
Loop #2:
e
3
+ e
2
= I
2
R
2
+ I
3
R
3
Label:
3 Is;
+/- on Rs;
loops.
Write equations.
Figure 26.66
5.00 A = I
4
4.00
B
I
3
I
2
Label the 3 branch currents I
2
, I
3
, and I
4
.
Since V
AB
across all 3 branches is the same
and is known: V
4
= I
4
R
4
= 5A (4W) = 20 Volts,
the currents and e can be readily solved.
A
V
4
= I
4
R
4
= 5A (4W) = 20 Volts
I
3
= V
3
/ R
3
= 4V / 3W = 1.33 A

At junction B, S I in = S I out
I
4
= I
2
+ I
3
; I
2
= I
4
I
3
= 5A - 1.3A
I
2
= 3.7A
Loop #1: S V rises = S V drops
e = I
2
R
2
+ I
4
R
4
= 3.7A (2W) + 5A(4W)
e = 27.4 V
V
4
= I
4
R
4
= 5A (4W) = 20 Volts
I
3
= V
3
/ R
3
= 4V / 3W = 1.33 A
At junction B, S I in = S I out
I
4
= I
2
+ I
3
; I
2
= I
4
- I
3
= 5A - 1.3A = 3.7A
Loop #1: S V rises = S V drops
e = I
2
R
2
+I
4
R
4
= 3.7A (2W) + 5A(4W) =27.4 V
5.0 A
4.00
B
I
3

I
2
Figure 26.11
Typo on top of page 890 (12
th
Edition),
2
nd
line from top of page:
right side should read bottom
(See Figure 26.11 which is rotated 90
o

from figure in the 11
th
Edition.)
ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
A dArsonval galvanometer meter movement
AMMETERS have a very small shunt resistor in them
to reduce the effect of introducing the meter
resistance into the circuit being measured.
VOLTMETERS (DV) have a very large series resistor
in them to reduce the amount of current drawn from
the circuit being measured.
DISCHARGING: CHARGING:
An RC circuit
that can be used
to charge and
discharge a
capacitor
(through a
resistor).
CHARGING A CAPACITOR:
current vs time
CHARGING A CAPACITOR:
charge vs time
DISCHARGING A CAPACITOR:
current vs time

DISCHARGING A CAPACITOR:
charge vs time

o
o
A battery, a capacitor, and a resistor are connected in series.
Which of the following affect(s) the maximum charge stored
on the capacitor?
Q26.26
A. the emf e of the battery
B. the capacitance C of the capacitor
C. the resistance R of the resistor
D. both e and C
E. all three of e, C, and R
House wiring circuits
Hand drill circuit with ground wire for
safety
see
www.physics.sjsu.edu/Becker/physics51
Review
C 2012 J. F. Becker