Question

If each resistor in this circuit is 10.0 Ω, and the battery is 60.0 V, what does the first ammeter (A1) read?

http://twitpic.com/e3nsv1

1) 3.6 A

2) 2.4 A

3) 1.2 A

4) 0.6 A

Answer 1

first of all solve the 2 parallel resistors R2 an R3, and substitute the equivalent in their place.

Now you have 3 series resistors and 1 battery so I = V/R (Where R is the series suim of all R1, R4 and the equivalent R(2,3)

Answer 2

so the R2 and R3 equal 5 then?

Answer 3

and then when i solve all of that i got 2.4 A...... is that correct?

Answer 4

@MrNood ?

Answer 5

wait never mind...... it's asking what the first ammeter reads?

Answer 6

You need to find the equivalent resistance of all four resistors.

The current through this equivalent circuit will be the current through the first ammeter.

Answer 7

recall that two parallel resistors add to have an equivalent
resistance of R by 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2

Answer 8

total equivalent resistance of circuit is 25 ohm, voltage 60 v

for I through A1 , I = V/R

it will be 2.4 ampere

Answer 9

Soz - I was away - your first answer is correct Well done.

R(2,3) is equivalent to 5 ohms.

So total series resistance is 25 ohms

Ammeter 1 measure the current in the main series circuit so I=60/25 Amps.

For possible future questions
Note that in the R2/R3 section the current has 2 paths it may flow through. In this case the 2 resistors are the same so it splits equally through R2 and R3