Shown in the figure below are the potential differences across four resistors in

Question

Shown in the figure below are the potential differences across four resistors in a series circuit. Rank the resistances of the resistors. Explain including data from past investigations to support your ranking. What is the potential difference of the battery? How do you know? (Again your explanation should reference data from previous investigations.) The figure at the right shows the same four resistors connected in a parallel circuit with the same battery as above. Take the current from the battery I_p as 400 mA. What is potential difference across each resistor? How do you know? What is the current through each of the resistors? How do you know?

Explanation / Answer

1)Let the resistances of the 4 resistors be RA, RB, RC  and RD. The potential drop across each resistor is proportional to the resistance of the resistor.

Therefore we must have RC>RB>RA>RD in that sequence.

2)Ignoring the internal resistance of the battery, the potential difference of the battery is the sum of the potential differences across each batteryi.e V=VA+VB+VC+VD =4+8+9+3=24 V

3) In the parallel circuit the potential difference across each resistor is the same as the potential difference of the battery which was found to be 24V

4)The current through the resistor A ,iA= V/RA=24/RA

Current through resistor RB=24/RB

Current through resistor C=24/RC

current through resistor D=24/RD

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