PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Circuits · Electric Circuits
Problem
Two identical ideal 12 V batteries, each having an internal resistance of 0.50Ω, are connected in parallel to supply power to a load. The load consists of a 10Ω resistor (branch L) in parallel with a series combination of a 5.0Ω resistor and a 15Ω resistor (branch M). All connections are made with wires of negligible resistance.
(1) Determine the equivalent resistance of the entire load (branches L and M together).
(2) Calculate the total current drawn from the parallel battery arrangement.
(3) Under the assumption that the batteries are ideal and perfectly identical, determine the current delivered by each battery and the power each battery supplies to the external circuit.
(4) Compute the power dissipated in branch L and in each resistor of branch M. Then find the total power dissipated in the load and compare it with the total power supplied by the two batteries. Account for any difference.
(5) If one battery were to develop an increased internal resistance while the other remained unchanged, qualitatively discuss how the division of current between the two batteries and the overall efficiency of the power delivery would be affected.