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

Light Bulbs in Series and in Parallel. Two light bulbs have constant resistances of 400Ω and 800Ω. If the two light bulbs are connected in series across a 120-V line, find (b) the power dissipated in each bulb.

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1
Calculate the total resistance of the bulbs when connected in series. The total resistance, R_{total}, is the sum of the individual resistances: R_{total} = R_1 + R_2.
Use Ohm's Law to find the total current flowing through the circuit when the bulbs are connected in series. Ohm's Law is given by I = V / R, where V is the voltage across the circuit and R is the resistance.
Determine the voltage drop across each bulb. Since the bulbs are in series, the current through each bulb is the same. The voltage drop across each bulb can be calculated using V = I \times R, where I is the current from step 2 and R is the resistance of each bulb.
Calculate the power dissipated by each bulb using the formula P = V \times I, where V is the voltage across the bulb from step 3 and I is the current through the bulb from step 2.
Alternatively, use the formula P = I^2 \times R to calculate the power dissipated in each bulb, where I is the current from step 2 and R is the resistance of each bulb.

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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 as V = IR, which is fundamental for analyzing electrical circuits, including those with resistors in series or parallel.
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Power in Electrical Circuits

The power (P) dissipated in an electrical component can be calculated using the formula P = IV, where I is the current through the component and V is the voltage across it. In a series circuit, the same current flows through all components, making it essential to determine the current first to find the power dissipated in each bulb.
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Series and Parallel Circuits

In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end, so the same current flows through each component, while the total voltage is the sum of the voltages across each component. In contrast, in a parallel circuit, components are connected across the same voltage source, allowing different currents to flow through each component. Understanding these configurations is crucial for calculating total resistance and power dissipation.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Power Rating of a Resistor. The power rating of a resistor is the maximum power the resistor can safely dissipate without too great a rise in temperature and hence damage to the resistor. (b) A 9.0-kΩ resistor is to be connected across a 120-V potential difference. What power rating is required?
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Textbook Question
Power Rating of a Resistor. The power rating of a resistor is the maximum power the resistor can safely dissipate without too great a rise in temperature and hence damage to the resistor. (c) A 100.0-Ω and a 150.0-Ω resistor, both rated at 2.00 W, are connected in series across a variable potential difference. What is the greatest this potential difference can be without overheating either resistor, and what is the rate of heat generated in each resistor under these conditions?
1741
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Textbook Question
Light Bulbs in Series and in Parallel. Two light bulbs have constant resistances of 400Ω and 800Ω. If the two light bulbs are connected in series across a 120-V line, find (a) the current through each bulb.
582
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Textbook Question
Light Bulbs in Series and in Parallel. Two light bulbs have constant resistances of 400Ω and 800Ω. If the two light bulbs are connected in series across a 120-V line, find (c) the total power dissipated in both bulbs.
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Textbook Question
Light Bulbs in Series and in Parallel. Two light bulbs have constant resistances of 400Ω and 800Ω. The two light bulbs are now connected in parallel across the 120-V line. Find (d) the current through each bulb.
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Textbook Question
Light Bulbs in Series and in Parallel. Two light bulbs have constant resistances of 400Ω and 800Ω. The two light bulbs are now connected in parallel across the 120-V line. Find (e) the power dissipated in each bulb.
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