Math Problem Statement

Find the emf E1 in the circuit of A closed circuit is made up of 3 parallel branches. The nodes are 'a' and b, node 'a' is to the left of node b. The top branch contains a 1.00-ohm resistor, a 20.0-volt battery, and a 6.00-ohm resistor in series from left to right. The current in this branch is 1.00 ampere from right to left. The middle branch contains a 4.00-ohm resistor, a 1.00-ohm resistor, and a battery with emf epsilon subscript 1 in series from left to right. The bottom branch contains a 1.00-ohm resistor, a battery with emf epsilon subscript 2, and a 2.00-ohm resistor in series from left to right. The current between node 'a' and this 1.00-ohm resistor is 2.00 amperes from left to right. All the batteries have the positive terminal on their left.

Solution

To find the emf E1E_1 in the middle branch, we need to use Kirchhoff's circuit laws, specifically the loop rule and the junction rule. Let's break the problem down step-by-step:

Step 1: Analyze the Given Information

We have three parallel branches:

  1. Top branch:

    • Resistors: 1.00Ω1.00 \, \Omega and 6.00Ω6.00 \, \Omega in series
    • Battery: 20.0V20.0 \, \text{V} with a current of 1.00A1.00 \, \text{A} flowing from right to left
  2. Middle branch:

    • Resistors: 4.00Ω4.00 \, \Omega and 1.00Ω1.00 \, \Omega in series
    • Battery: E1E_1 (unknown emf)
    • The current in the middle branch is unknown.
  3. Bottom branch:

    • Resistor: 1.00Ω1.00 \, \Omega
    • Battery: E2E_2 (unknown emf)
    • Resistor: 2.00Ω2.00 \, \Omega
    • The current in this branch is 2.00A2.00 \, \text{A} from left to right.

Step 2: Apply Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

At node aa, the total current entering or leaving must be conserved.

  • The current from the top branch is 1.00A1.00 \, \text{A} (right to left).
  • The current from the bottom branch is 2.00A2.00 \, \text{A} (left to right).
  • Therefore, the current through the middle branch, which we'll call I1I_1, must be: I1=3.00A2.00A=1.00AI_1 = 3.00 \, \text{A} - 2.00 \, \text{A} = 1.00 \, \text{A}

Step 3: Apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) for the Top Branch

In the top branch, there are two resistors and a battery in series. The total voltage drop across the resistors and the battery should sum to zero when we go around the loop.

  • The total resistance in the top branch is 1.00Ω+6.00Ω=7.00Ω1.00 \, \Omega + 6.00 \, \Omega = 7.00 \, \Omega.
  • The current in the top branch is 1.00A1.00 \, \text{A}, so the voltage drop across the resistors is: Vresistors=I×R=1.00A×7.00Ω=7.00VV_{\text{resistors}} = I \times R = 1.00 \, \text{A} \times 7.00 \, \Omega = 7.00 \, \text{V}
  • The total voltage from the battery is 20.0V20.0 \, \text{V}.

Using KVL, we write the equation for the top branch: VbatteryVresistors=0V_{\text{battery}} - V_{\text{resistors}} = 0 20.0V7.00V=13.00V20.0 \, \text{V} - 7.00 \, \text{V} = 13.00 \, \text{V} This is the potential difference across the top branch.

Step 4: Apply KVL for the Middle Branch

In the middle branch, there are two resistors and the battery with emf E1E_1.

  • The total resistance in the middle branch is 4.00Ω+1.00Ω=5.00Ω4.00 \, \Omega + 1.00 \, \Omega = 5.00 \, \Omega.
  • The current in this branch is I1=1.00AI_1 = 1.00 \, \text{A}.
  • The voltage drop across the resistors is: Vresistors=I1×R=1.00A×5.00Ω=5.00VV_{\text{resistors}} = I_1 \times R = 1.00 \, \text{A} \times 5.00 \, \Omega = 5.00 \, \text{V}
  • The potential difference across the battery in the middle branch is E1E_1.

Now, apply KVL for the middle branch: E1Vresistors=0E_1 - V_{\text{resistors}} = 0 E15.00V=0E_1 - 5.00 \, \text{V} = 0 Thus, we find: E1=5.00VE_1 = 5.00 \, \text{V}

Conclusion:

The emf E1E_1 in the middle branch is 5.00 V.


Would you like to go over the detailed steps again, or is there anything else you'd like clarification on? Here are some related questions you could explore further:

  1. How do you solve for the emf in a circuit with multiple resistors in series and parallel?
  2. How does Kirchhoff's Current Law apply in multi-branch circuits?
  3. What would happen if one of the resistors in the top branch had a different value?
  4. How would the current in the middle branch change if E1E_1 were higher?
  5. How can you calculate the total current flowing through a parallel circuit?

Tip: Always check your current directions and voltage signs when applying Kirchhoff's laws, as they help ensure your calculations are accurate!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Kirchhoff's Circuit Laws
Ohm's Law
Parallel Circuits
Series Circuits

Formulas

V = IR (Ohm's Law)
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

Theorems

Kirchhoff's Current Law
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12