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Ch 26: Direct-Current Circuits
Chapter 26, Problem 26

A triangular array of resistors is shown in Fig. E26.5. Circuit diagram showing resistors p, q, r, s with values 6.50Ω, 9.00Ω, and 13.0Ω.
What current will this array draw from a 35.0-V battery having negligible internal resistance if we connect it across (a) ab?

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1
Identify the resistors in the circuit and their respective values: 13.0 Ω, 9.0 Ω, and 6.5 Ω.
Determine the equivalent resistance of the resistors in series and parallel. The 13.0 Ω and 9.0 Ω resistors are in series, so their combined resistance is R1 = 13.0 Ω + 9.0 Ω.
Calculate the total resistance of the circuit. The combined resistance R1 is in parallel with the 6.5 Ω resistor. Use the formula for parallel resistance: 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/6.5 Ω.
Simplify the equation to find the total resistance R_total.
Use Ohm's Law (V = IR) to find the current drawn from the battery. With the total resistance R_total and the voltage of the battery (35.0 V), solve for the current I = V / R_total.

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Key Concepts

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

Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law states that the current (I) flowing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the conductor. This relationship is expressed mathematically as I = V/R. Understanding this law is crucial for analyzing electrical circuits, as it allows us to calculate the current based on the applied voltage and the total resistance in the circuit.
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Series and Parallel Resistor Configurations

Resistors can be arranged in series or parallel configurations, affecting the total resistance in the circuit. In a series configuration, the total resistance is the sum of individual resistances (R_total = R1 + R2 + ...). In a parallel configuration, the total resistance can be calculated using the formula 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... This distinction is essential for determining how the resistors in the given circuit will influence the overall current drawn from the battery.
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Equivalent Resistance

Equivalent resistance is the total resistance that a circuit presents to the battery or power source. It simplifies complex resistor networks into a single resistance value, making it easier to analyze the circuit. For the triangular array of resistors shown, calculating the equivalent resistance is necessary to determine how much current will flow from the 35.0-V battery when connected across points a and b.
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