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

The circuit shown in Fig. E25.33 Circuit diagram showing two batteries, resistors, and their values for Kirchhoff's Loop Rule.
contains two batteries, each with an emf and an internal resistance, and two resistors. Find (b) the terminal voltage Vab of the 16.0-V battery

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1
Identify the components in the circuit: two batteries (9.0 V and 4.0 V) with internal resistances (1.5 Ω and 1.0 Ω respectively), and two external resistors (10.0 Ω and 5.5 Ω).
Apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) to the loop. Start from a point and sum the voltage drops and rises around the loop, setting the sum equal to zero.
Express the current in the circuit using Ohm's Law: V = IR, where V is the voltage, I is the current, and R is the resistance.
Calculate the total resistance in the circuit by summing the internal resistances of the batteries and the external resistors.
Determine the terminal voltage V_ab of the 9.0 V battery by subtracting the voltage drop across its internal resistance (I * 1.5 Ω) from its emf (9.0 V).

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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 essential for analyzing circuits, as it allows us to account for the voltage drops across resistors and the electromotive forces (emf) provided by batteries. By applying this rule, we can derive equations that help us find unknown voltages and currents in the circuit.
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Terminal Voltage

The terminal voltage of a battery is the voltage output available at its terminals when it is connected to a circuit. It is affected by the battery's emf and its internal resistance, as the current flowing through the internal resistance causes a voltage drop. The terminal voltage can be calculated using the formula V = emf - I*r, where I is the current and r is the internal resistance, making it crucial for understanding how batteries perform in real circuits.
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Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law relates the voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit, expressed as V = I * R. This fundamental principle is vital for calculating the current flowing through resistors and understanding how voltage drops occur across them. In the context of the given circuit, Ohm's Law helps determine the current that affects the terminal voltage of the batteries and the overall behavior of the circuit.
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