Chapter 20

Electric Circuits
Ch20B:
Sec. 20.7 – 20.14

This power point presentation is based on the supplement provided by John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. for Cutnell & Johnson’s Physics. It is provided by Dr. Yuh-Lang Lin for
students in the College Physics II class of NC A&T State University and cannot be
copied or distributed to any third party.
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Parallel wiring means that the devices are

connected in such a way that the same
voltage is applied across each device.

When two resistors are connected in

parallel, each receives current from the
battery as if the other was not present.

However, the currents received by the

resistors are not necessarily the same.

Fig. 20.19
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Fig. 20.20
20.7 Parallel Wiring

V V ⎛1 1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞
I = I1 + I 2 = + = V ⎜ + ⎟ = V ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎜ ⎟
R1 R2 ⎝ R1 R2 ⎠ ⎝ RP ⎠

Rp: equivalent resistance for parallel

resisters

The above can be generalized for

parallel resistors

1 1 1 1
= + + +"
RP R1 R2 R3
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Fig. 20.22

Example 10 Main and Remote Stereo Speakers

A “remote” speaker is connected to the main speaker as shown in Fig. 20.22. The
voltage across the speakers is 6.00 V. Determine (a) the equivalent resistance
of the two speakers, (b) the total current supplied by the receiver, (c) the
current in each speaker, and (d) the power dissipated in each speaker.
20.7 Parallel Wiring

1 1 1 3
(a) = + = RP = 2.67 Ω
RP 8.00 Ω 4.00 Ω 8.00 Ω

V 6.00 V
(b) I= = = 2.25 A [Remove “rms” in Ex. 10(b)-(d)]
RP 2.67 Ω
20.7 Parallel Wiring

V 6.00 V V 6.00 V
(c) I1 = = = 0.750 A I2 = = = 1.50 A
R1 8.00 Ω R2 4.00 Ω

Therefore the two resistors connected in parallel draw more current than
does either resistor alone (I > I1 and I > I2 ).

(d) P1 = I1 V = (0.750 A )(6.00 V ) = 4.50 W

P2 = I 2 V = (1.50 A )(6.00 V ) = 9.00 W

2/10/09
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Conceptual Example 11 A Three-Way Light Bulb

and Parallel Wiring

Within the bulb there are two separate filaments.

When one burns out, the bulb can produce only
one level of illumination, but not the highest.

Are the filaments connected in series or

parallel?

How can two filaments be used to produce three

different illumination levels?
20.8 Circuits Wired Partially in Series and Partially in Parallel
Ex. 12
Fig. 20.24
In series:
Rs=220 Ω + 250 Ω=470Ω

In parallel:
1 1 1 1 1
= + = +
RAB R1 R2 180 Ω 470 Ω

RAB=130 Ω

In series:
Rs=110 Ω + 130 Ω = 240Ω
Questions for Fig. 20.24

(a) What is the total current supplied by the battery?

A: Look at Fig. 20.24(c),
I = V/R = 24 V/ 240 Ω = 0.10 A

(b) What is the voltage between A & B?

A: V = IR = (0.10A)(130Ω) = 13V
20.9 Internal Resistance

Batteries and generators add some resistance to a circuit. This resistance

is called internal resistance (r).

The actual voltage between the terminals of a battery is known as the

terminal voltage.
20.9 Internal Resistance

Reading Assignment
Example 13 The Terminal Voltage of a Battery

The car battery has an emf of 12.0 V and an internal

resistance of 0.0100 Ω. What is the terminal voltage
when the current drawn from the battery is (a) 10.0 A
and (b) 100.0 A?

(a) V = Ir = (10.0 A )(0.010 Ω ) = 0.10 V

12.0 V − 0.10 V = 11.9V

(b) V = Ir = (100.0 A )(0.010 Ω ) = 1.0 V

12.0 V − 1.0 V = 11.0V

20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules
Kirchhoff’s rules are for electric circuits
that contain a combination of resistors in
series and parallel.

1. Junction rule The total 2. Loop rule Around any closed-

current directed into a junction must circuit loop, the sum of the potential
equal the total current directed out drops equals the sum of the
of the junction. potential rise.
(based on conservation of energy)

Fig. 20.28 Fig. 20.29

(2/17/09)
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Reading Assignment

Example 14 Using Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule

Determine the current in the circuit.

20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules
R1 V2

V1 R2 Fig. 20.30
Apply the Loop Rule
Potential rise Potential drop
V1 R1, V2, R2

V1 = IR1 + V2 + IR2
I (12 Ω ) + 6.0 V + I (8.0 Ω ) = 24
N V
 
potential rises
potential drops

I = 0.90 A
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Ex. 15 The Electrical System of a Car

Applying both junction and loop rules

9/18/08
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Reasoning Strategy

Applying Kirchhoff’s Rules

1. Draw the current in each branch of the circuit. Make your best choice in
circuit direction. If your choice is incorrect, it is ok. The value obtained for the
current will turn out to be a negative number.

2. Mark each resistor with a + at one end and a – at the other end in a way
that is consistent with your choice for current direction in step 1.
[Outside a battery, conventional current is always directed from a higher potential
(the end marked +) to a lower potential (the end marked -)].

3. Apply the junction rule and the loop rule to the circuit, obtaining in the process
as many independent equations as there are unknown variables.

4. Solve these equations simultaneously for the unknown variables.

20.11 The Measurement of Current and Voltage
Reading Assignment

A dc galvanometer. The coil of

wire and pointer rotate when there
is a current in the wire.

Fig. 20.32
20.11 The Measurement of Current and Voltage

An ammeter must be inserted into

a circuit so that the current passes
directly through it.

Fig. 20.33
20.11 The Measurement of Current and Voltage

To measure the voltage between two points

in a circuit, a voltmeter is connected between
the points.
20.12 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Fig. 20.37

q = q1 + q2 = C1V + C2V = (C1 + C2 )V = C pV

Thus, C p = C1 + C2

Parallel capacitors C P = C1 + C2 + C3 + "

 20.12 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

q q ⎛ 1 1 ⎞ q
V = V1 + V2 = + = q⎜ + ⎟⎟ =
⎜
C1 C2 ⎝ C1 C2 ⎠ Cs

1 1 1
Thus, = +
Cs C1 C2

1 1 1 1
Series capacitors = + + +"
CS C1 C2 C3
20.13 RC Circuits
Resistor-Capacitor (RC) circuit

Fig. 20.39
Capacitor charging

q = qo (1 − e −t RC )

Time constant

τ = RC
At t = τ, q = qo (1 - e-1)
20.13 RC Circuits

Capacitor discharging

q = qo e −t RC

time constant

τ = RC
20.14 Safety and the Physiological Effects of Current

To reduce the danger inherent in using circuits, proper electrical grounding

is necessary.

Electrical
shock