Math Problem Statement

According to the Law of Proportionality, if resistor A in a series circuit has 30 Ω of resistance and resistor B has 10 Ω of resistance, what is the voltage drop on resistor A if the applied voltage is 122 V?

(Round the FINAL answer to one decimal point.)

Solution

To solve this problem, we can apply Ohm's Law and the concept of proportional voltage division in a series circuit.

Steps:

  1. Calculate the total resistance of the circuit: Since the resistors are in series, the total resistance RtotalR_{\text{total}} is simply the sum of the individual resistances: Rtotal=RA+RB=30Ω+10Ω=40ΩR_{\text{total}} = R_A + R_B = 30\, \Omega + 10\, \Omega = 40\, \Omega

  2. Determine the total current in the circuit: We use Ohm's Law V=IRV = I \cdot R to calculate the total current II. Rearranging the formula to solve for current: I=VtotalRtotalI = \frac{V_{\text{total}}}{R_{\text{total}}} where Vtotal=122VV_{\text{total}} = 122 \, \text{V} is the applied voltage and Rtotal=40ΩR_{\text{total}} = 40 \, \Omega. I=122V40Ω=3.05AI = \frac{122\, \text{V}}{40\, \Omega} = 3.05\, \text{A}

  3. Calculate the voltage drop across resistor A: Using Ohm's Law again for resistor A: VA=IRAV_A = I \cdot R_A where I=3.05AI = 3.05\, \text{A} and RA=30ΩR_A = 30\, \Omega: VA=3.05A×30Ω=91.5VV_A = 3.05\, \text{A} \times 30\, \Omega = 91.5\, \text{V}

Thus, the voltage drop across resistor A is 91.5 V.

Final Answer: 91.5 V


Do you need any further details or have additional questions?

Here are 5 related questions for further practice:

  1. What is the voltage drop across resistor B?
  2. How would the voltage drop change if the resistances were reversed?
  3. If the total resistance were 60 Ω instead of 40 Ω, how would the voltage drop across A change?
  4. What is the current if the applied voltage were 150 V?
  5. How does the total resistance affect the overall current in the series circuit?

Tip: In a series circuit, the current is the same across all components, but the voltage drop is divided based on the resistance of each component.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Ohm's Law
Series Circuits
Voltage Division

Formulas

Total Resistance in Series: R_total = R_A + R_B
Ohm's Law: V = I * R
Current in Series Circuit: I = V_total / R_total
Voltage Drop: V_A = I * R_A

Theorems

Ohm's Law
Voltage Division Rule

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12