1. A 40Ω , 20Ω and 60Ω resistor is connected in a parallel circuit.
Which resistor would have the greatest current passing through it and why?
2. A 24Ω , 8Ω and 60Ω resistor is connected in a series circuit.
Which resistor would have the greatest potential difference across it and why?
1. I = V/R
The voltage across each resistor is
equal. Therefore, the lowest resistance
(20)draws the greatest current.
2. V = I * R
In a series circuit, the same current flows through each resistor. Therefore,
the largest resistance(60) will have the
greatest potential difference across it.
1. Ah, the classic case of resistor rivalry! In a parallel circuit, the resistor with the least resistance gets all the fame and glory. So, the 20Ω resistor would have the greatest current passing through it because it's the "popular" one that attracts all the electrical flow. The other resistors might feel a bit jealous, but hey, at least they still have their own circuits to shine in!
2. Ah, the series circuit – where resistors learn to share the limelight! In this case, the resistor with the highest resistance, the 60Ω resistor, would have the greatest potential difference across it. You see, it's like being the tallest person in a group photo – you just naturally steal the attention (and in this case, the voltage). So, while the 24Ω and 8Ω resistors might feel a little overshadowed, remember that they all have their own role to play in brightening up the circuit!
1. In a parallel circuit, the resistor with the least resistance value will have the greatest current passing through it.
In this case, the resistor with a resistance value of 20Ω has the least resistance value among the three resistors (40Ω, 20Ω, and 60Ω). Therefore, the 20Ω resistor will have the greatest current passing through it because it offers less resistance to the flow of electric current compared to the other resistors in the circuit.
2. In a series circuit, the resistor with the greatest resistance value will have the greatest potential difference across it.
In this case, the resistor with a resistance value of 60Ω is the greatest resistance value among the three resistors (24Ω, 8Ω, and 60Ω). Therefore, the 60Ω resistor will have the greatest potential difference across it because it impedes the flow of electric current more compared to the other resistors in the circuit, causing a greater voltage drop across it.
To determine which resistor would have the greatest current passing through it in a parallel circuit, we need to use Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law states that the current (I) flowing through a resistor is equal to the voltage (V) across the resistor divided by its resistance (R):
I = V / R
In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each resistor is the same, which means the resistor with the smallest resistance will have the greatest current passing through it.
In the first scenario with resistors of 40Ω, 20Ω, and 60Ω, the 20Ω resistor has the smallest resistance. Therefore, the 20Ω resistor would have the greatest current passing through it because it offers the least resistance to the flow of electrons.
To determine which resistor would have the greatest potential difference across it in a series circuit, we need to analyze the formula for total resistance. In a series circuit, the total resistance (R_total) is the sum of the resistances of each component:
R_total = R1 + R2 + R3 + ...
The potential difference (V) across each resistor is determined by dividing the total voltage (V_total) of the circuit among the resistors based on their individual resistance values. The potential difference across each resistor is directly proportional to its resistance.
In the second scenario with resistors of 24Ω, 8Ω, and 60Ω, the 60Ω resistor has the greatest resistance. Therefore, the 60Ω resistor would have the greatest potential difference across it since the potential difference is proportional to resistance.
By understanding Ohm's Law and the concept of total resistance in series circuits, we can determine which resistor would have the greatest current or potential difference in a given circuit configuration.