There is a circuit of 2 lamps in a series. If a voltage of 6 volts is impressed across the circuit and the voltage across the 1st lamp is 2 volts, what is the voltage across the second lamp? Defend your answer
I want to say that the second lamp has a voltage of 4 volts as well because the amount of energy supplied to the total current is equal to the sum of energies supplied to each device.
Is this right?
The sum of the voltage drops has to equal the source voltage. Correct.
No, that is not correct. In a series circuit, the voltage is divided between the different components based on their resistance. Each component will have a voltage drop across it, and the sum of these voltage drops will be equal to the total voltage applied across the circuit.
In this case, if the voltage across the first lamp is 2 volts and the total voltage impressed across the circuit is 6 volts, the voltage across the second lamp can be calculated by subtracting the voltage across the first lamp from the total voltage.
Therefore, the voltage across the second lamp would be:
Voltage across the second lamp = Total voltage - Voltage across the first lamp
Voltage across the second lamp = 6 volts - 2 volts
Voltage across the second lamp = 4 volts
So, the voltage across the second lamp is indeed 4 volts. Your answer is correct and well defended.
No, your answer is not correct. In a series circuit, the total voltage supplied by the source is divided among the components in proportion to their resistance.
To find the voltage across the second lamp, we need to calculate the total resistance of the circuit and then divide the total voltage by this resistance. Here's how you do it:
1. Calculate the resistance of each lamp by using Ohm's law: Voltage = Current x Resistance.
- For the first lamp, the voltage is given as 2 volts. If you know the current flowing through it, you can use Ohm's law to calculate its resistance.
- Do the same for the second lamp.
2. Find the total resistance of the circuit by adding up the individual resistances of the lamps.
3. Use Ohm's law again to calculate the current flowing through the circuit by dividing the total voltage (6 volts) by the total resistance.
4. Finally, calculate the voltage across the second lamp by multiplying the current flowing through the circuit (from step 3) by the resistance of the second lamp.
By following these steps, you will be able to calculate the voltage across the second lamp accurately.