A simple closed circuit consists of a 12 V ideal battery connected in series with two…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Circuits · Electric Circuits
Problem
A simple closed circuit consists of a 12 V ideal battery connected in series with two resistors, 330 Ω and 220 Ω. A conventional current of constant magnitude moves clockwise through the loop.
Consider a single positive test charge of +1.0 mC that makes one complete trip around the loop, starting at the negative terminal of the battery.
(a) Calculate the electric potential drop across each resistor.
(b) Determine the work done on the test charge as it passes through the 330 Ω resistor. State the sign of this work and justify your choice.
(c) Determine the net change in electric potential energy of the test charge for the entire trip around the loop. Show your reasoning.
(d) Explain whether the energy gained in the battery equals the energy lost in the resistors and discuss how this relates to thermal energy produced in the circuit.