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Ch 26: Direct-Current Circuits
Chapter 26, Problem 25

The circuit shown in Fig. E25.30Circuit diagram showing resistors and batteries for Kirchhoff's Loop Rule in physics.
contains two batteries, each with an emf and an internal resistance, and two resistors. Find (c) the potential difference Vac of point a with respect to point c.

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1
Identify the components and their values in the circuit: two batteries with emfs of 12.0 V and 5.0 V, internal resistances of 1.85 Ω and 1.25 Ω, and resistors of 8.50 Ω, 4.50 Ω, and 15.0 Ω.
Apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) to the loop to find the current in the circuit. Write the loop equation considering the voltage drops across each resistor and the emfs of the batteries.
Solve the loop equation for the current (I) in the circuit.
Calculate the potential difference across each resistor using Ohm's Law (V = IR).
Determine the potential difference Vac by summing the potential differences from point a to point c, considering the direction of current flow and the polarities of the batteries.

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Key Concepts

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

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule states that the sum of the potential differences (voltage) around any closed loop in a circuit must equal zero. This principle is based on the conservation of energy, indicating that the energy supplied by the batteries must equal the energy lost across the resistors and internal resistances. It is essential for analyzing circuits to determine unknown voltages or currents.
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Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law relates the voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit through the equation V = IR. This fundamental relationship allows us to calculate the current flowing through a resistor when the voltage across it and its resistance are known. Understanding Ohm's Law is crucial for solving circuit problems involving resistors and batteries.
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Internal Resistance of a Battery

The internal resistance of a battery is the resistance within the battery itself that opposes the flow of current. This resistance causes a voltage drop when current flows, reducing the effective voltage available to the external circuit. When analyzing circuits with batteries, it is important to account for internal resistance to accurately determine the potential differences and overall circuit behavior.
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