Two resistors 10ohms and 5ohms are connected in parallel across a 15V battery. What is the potential difference across the 10ohms resistor.
I do not need the answer just the formula and how to figure out the problem. Thanks.
To find the potential difference across a specific resistor in a parallel circuit, you can use the following formula:
V_resistor = V_source * (R_resistor / (R_total))
where:
- V_resistor is the potential difference across the specific resistor
- V_source is the potential difference of the battery (in this case, 15V)
- R_resistor is the resistance of the specific resistor (in this case, 10 ohms)
- R_total is the total resistance of the circuit, which is calculated by adding the reciprocals of the individual resistances (in this case, 1/10 + 1/5)
To solve the problem:
1. Calculate the total resistance by adding the reciprocals of the individual resistances: 1/10 + 1/5 = 1/10 + 2/10 = 3/10
2. Take the reciprocal of the total resistance: 10/3
3. Multiply the reciprocal of the total resistance by the potential difference of the battery (15V): (10/3) * 15 = 50V
Therefore, the potential difference across the 10-ohm resistor is 50V.