A 12 V battery is connected to two parallel branches
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Circuits · Electric Circuits
Problem
A 12 V battery is connected to two parallel branches. One branch consists of a single 6 Ω resistor, while the other branch consists of an 8 Ω resistor in series with a switch S. Initially, the switch S is closed and the circuit is in steady state.
(i) State the potential difference across each branch while the switch S is closed. Give reason for your answer.
(ii) The switch S is suddenly opened. Explain qualitatively how the current supplied by the battery will change, if at all.
(iii) Describe what happens to the current through the 6 Ω resistor after the switch is opened. Justify your answer.