Two resistors 10 Ω and 5 Ω are connected in parallel across a 15 V battery. What is the potential difference across the 10 Ω resistor?
5 V
10 V
15 V
20 V
I would think the answer would be B, or 15V
Oh come on, draw the circuit. Both resistors see 15 V if in parallel
To find the potential difference across the 10 Ω resistor in a parallel circuit, you can use the formula:
Potential difference = Voltage across the circuit (battery voltage) * (Resistance of the particular resistor) / Total resistance of the circuit
In this case, the total resistance of the circuit is given by the formula for resistors in parallel:
1 / Total resistance = 1 / Resistance of first resistor + 1 / Resistance of second resistor
Substituting the given values:
1 / Total resistance = 1 / 10 Ω + 1 / 5 Ω
Simplifying this equation gives:
1 / Total resistance = (1 + 2) / 10 Ω
1 / Total resistance = 3 / 10 Ω
Total resistance = 10 Ω / 3
Now, substituting this value into the formula for potential difference:
Potential difference = 15 V * (10 Ω / 3) / 10 Ω
The 10 Ω term cancels out:
Potential difference = 15 V / 3
Potential difference = 5 V
Therefore, the potential difference across the 10 Ω resistor is 5 V. The correct answer is A.
To determine the potential difference across the 10 Ω resistor, you need to understand the concept of parallel resistors and apply Ohm's Law.
When resistors are connected in parallel, the voltage across each resistor is the same. So, the potential difference across the 10 Ω resistor will be the same as the potential difference across the overall circuit, which is 15 V in this case.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C - 15 V.