Principles of Physics
A circuit with one resistor When one electron leaves the voltage supply another one enters How fast this exchange occurs is based on resistance One electron pushes another and so on
More than one resistor in a single path Each electron must go through every resistor Total resistance increases with every resistor added in series
Current flow depends on all resistors Current through each resistor is the same I T = I 1 = I 2 = … R1R1 R2R2
A voltage exists across every device (voltage supply, resistors, light bulbs, etc.) As an electron goes through a resistor or device it loses energy because it does work to get through How much energy lost per Coulomb (voltage) depends on the resistance
Voltage gained by electrons when leaving the voltage supply equals the total voltage lost before returning Since voltage is lost through all resistors V T = V 1 + V 2 + … R1R1 R2R2
To determine the current leaving the voltage supply the total resistance must be used R T = R 1 + R 2 +… R1R1 R2R2
Determine the total current in the circuit V = IR 12 V = I(24 Ω ) I = 0.5 A 10 Ω 14 Ω 12 V R T = R 1 + R 2 = 10 Ω + 14 Ω = 24 Ω
Determine the voltage in the 10 Ω resistor V = IR V= 0.5 A(10 Ω ) V = 5 V 10 Ω 14 Ω 12 V
Determine the voltage in the 14 Ω resistor V = IR V= 0.5 A(14 Ω ) V = 7 V 10 Ω 14 Ω 12 V or V T = V 1 + V 2 12 V = 5 V + V 2 V 2 = 7 V
5 Ω 12 V 5 Ω 12 V 5 Ω A B By adding another resistor in series Increase total resistance Decreases current Voltage across each resistor decreases
Adding a resistor in series increases the total resistance When one resistor is disconnected the circuit is open – current does not flow Everyone has to go through all doors to get out The smallest door slows the movement the most