Resistors in parallel , Physics

Assignment Help:

Resistor in Parallel 

Components are said to be in parallel when they are connected in such a way as to provide alternative paths for current flow.

1869_resistor in parallel.png

The characteristics of such a parallel combination are:

  • The voltage across each component is the same.
  • The current through each component is determined by the resistance of that component
  • Ohm's law applies to each component connected in parallel.

In the diagram below.         V1 = V2 = V3 = V


and                                        I = I1 + I2 + I3   (by Kirchoff's first law) 

307_resistor in parallel1.png

From Ohm's law      I = V/R   

 

Therefore     2190_resistor in parallel2.png

and  465_resistor in parallel3.png

Hence the three resistors shown above may be replaced by a single resistor of value RTOTAL which may be computed using the above equation.  Note that the most usual error which occurs when using this equation is to forget that the calculation on the right hand side of the equation gives the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance 1\RTOTAL and therefore needs inverting to find RTOTAL.       


To avoid this possible error the equation may be remembered in the form:

 

2304_resistor in parallel4.png

Having found RTOTAL it is now possible to use Ohm's law to calculate either V or I, providing one of the two is known.  Knowing V (= V1 = V2 = V3 etc) it is now possible to find the current values through the branches I1, I2, I3­ etc (provided of course that R1, R2, R3 etc are known).

  • As a check, the total resistance of any parallel combination of resistors should always be less than the value of the lowest resistor in the network.

Related Discussions:- Resistors in parallel

Precision resistor, These are resistors with long term stability and close ...

These are resistors with long term stability and close tolerances. These are used in measuring instruments. Wire wound resistors, produced with long term stabilities and with speci

Determine the change in entropy, Determine the change in entropy, in joules...

Determine the change in entropy, in joules, when 5 moles of an ideal gas expands from a value of 4 lits. to 40 lits. at 27°C. (R = 8.314 JK -1 mol -1 )

Charges in different elements, in what depends the charge that each materia...

in what depends the charge that each material has? like glass positive; polystyrene negative; and ebonite negative; at the moment of charge a rod of those materials...?

Cut an apple in two parts with inertia, Cut an apple in two parts with iner...

Cut an apple in two parts with inertia Secure a long sharp knife like as a carving knife. Cut into the apple with the knife unless you can pick them up together. Be sure to hav

The basic capacitor, THE BASIC CAPACITOR If we have two metal plates cl...

THE BASIC CAPACITOR If we have two metal plates close together, but separated by an insulator or dielectric (which could be air) and we apply a voltage across them, electrons a

Explain conservation of angular momentum, Explain Conservation of Angular M...

Explain Conservation of Angular Momentum When a body rotates (spins like a top) or revolves (moves in a circle around a central point), all of the rules that we have used to ca

Zone refining, The semiconductor material is refined through a process is k...

The semiconductor material is refined through a process is known as zone refining. It is used for the production of high purity crystals; silicon for example has a melting temperat

Why doesnt particle speed up as it goes through the resistor, Regard as a p...

Regard as a positively charged particle in a circuit. As it moves during a resistor in the circuit the positively charged particle moves from a point one end of the resistor in the

Electric, Find the electric field between the plates of a capacitor given t...

Find the electric field between the plates of a capacitor given the following:? (1) C= 10pF (2) the capacitor is connected to a 25 V battery (3) there is a vacuum between the capa

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd