Assume that all the resistors are 30.0-ohm. Find the equivalent resistance.

Req = 1/30 + 1/30 + 1/30
= 10-ohm

Assumer that each resistor dissipates 120 mW. Find the total dissipation.

-Is this formula P= I^2R to use for this problem? By the way, what is dissipation?

Dissipation is the generation of heat power in resistors.

Total dissipation is 3 x 120 mW

Yes, the formula P = I^2R can be used for this problem. The formula calculates the power dissipated by a resistor, where P is the power, I is the current flowing through the resistor, and R is the resistance of the resistor.

Dissipation refers to the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy in a circuit component, such as a resistor. In other words, it is the amount of power that is lost or "dissipated" as heat in the circuit.

Yes, the formula P = I^2R is appropriate for this problem. In this context, dissipation refers to the process of converting electrical energy into heat energy in a resistor.

To find the total dissipation, we need to calculate the current flowing through the resistors. Since the equivalent resistance (Req) is 10 ohms and the power (P) dissipated by each resistor is 120 mW, we can use the formula P = I^2R to find the current (I) flowing through the resistors.

120 mW = I^2 * 10 ohms
Divide both sides of the equation by 10 ohms:
12 mW = I^2
Taking the square root of both sides to solve for I:
I = √(12 mW)
I ≈ 3.464 mA

Now that we know the current value, we can calculate the total dissipation by multiplying the current by the equivalent resistance.
P = I^2 * Req
P = (3.464 mA)^2 * 10 ohms
P ≈ 0.120 W

Therefore, the total dissipation is approximately 0.120 watts or 120 milliwatts.