Nailing Challenging Secondary School Physics

By: Rajiv Misra

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In the diagram, what is the effective resistance?

Topic: Electricity

Key Formula: Total resistance = R₁+ R₂+ R₃+ … (Series circuit)

Total resistance = (1R1 + 1R2 + 1R3 + …)-1 (Parallel circuit)

Answer:

Step 1:

R_T = 1+ 2 = 3 Ω

Step 2:

R_T = (13+ 16)-1 = (36)-1= 2 Ω

Step 3:

R_T = 2+ 2 = 4 Ω

Tip: To identify if resistors are in series, check if the current does not split. If the current splits the resistors are in parallel.

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Posted on 19/04/2017