Math Problem Statement

What is the magnitude of the current in the resistor? (V1=6.3 V, V2=11.8 V, R=30 Ω.)

What is the magnitude of the current in the resistor? (V1 = 6.3 V, V2 = 11.8 V, R = 30 Ω.)

Solution

In the given circuit, we have two voltage sources, V1V_1 and V2V_2, and a resistor RR. To find the current flowing through the resistor, we need to apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL), which states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop is zero.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Identify the voltages and resistor:

    • V1=6.3VV_1 = 6.3 \, V
    • V2=11.8VV_2 = 11.8 \, V
    • R=30ΩR = 30 \, \Omega
  2. Apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL): In the circuit, the voltages V1V_1 and V2V_2 are opposing each other. The total effective voltage across the resistor RR is: Vnet=V2V1=11.8V6.3V=5.5VV_{\text{net}} = V_2 - V_1 = 11.8 \, V - 6.3 \, V = 5.5 \, V

  3. Use Ohm's Law to find the current: Ohm's Law states that I=VRI = \frac{V}{R}, where II is the current, VV is the net voltage, and RR is the resistance. I=VnetR=5.5V30Ω=0.1833AI = \frac{V_{\text{net}}}{R} = \frac{5.5 \, V}{30 \, \Omega} = 0.1833 \, A

Final Answer:

The magnitude of the current in the resistor is approximately 0.183A0.183 \, A.

Do you need further details or have any other questions?

Follow-up Questions:

  1. How does Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law work for more complex circuits?
  2. What happens if the polarities of the batteries were reversed?
  3. How would you calculate power dissipation in the resistor?
  4. Can you solve the same problem using Thevenin's theorem?
  5. How do you calculate the total resistance if there were multiple resistors in the circuit?

Tip:

When dealing with opposing voltage sources, always subtract the smaller voltage from the larger one to find the effective voltage across the components.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law
Ohm's Law
Circuit Analysis

Formulas

V_net = V2 - V1
I = V / R

Theorems

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12