A circuit is built based on the circuit diagram shown.

Question

A diagram of a closed circuit with a power source on the left labeled 60 V. There are 3 resistors in parallel, separate paths, connected to it labeled 40 Ohms, 50 Ohms and 30 Ohms.
What is the current in the 50 Ω resistor?

1.2 A
1.5 A
2.0 A
4.6 A

Answer 1

To determine the current flowing through the 50 Ω resistor in a parallel circuit, we first need to find the total voltage across the resistors and then apply Ohm's Law.

1. Identify the Voltage: The voltage across each resistor in a parallel circuit is the same as the voltage of the power source. Thus, the voltage across the 50 Ω resistor (and the others) is 60 V.

2. Use Ohm's Law: Ohm's Law states that \( V = I \times R \) or \( I = \frac{V}{R} \). Here, \( V = 60 , \text{V} \) and \( R = 50 , \Omega \).

3. Calculate the Current: \[ I = \frac{V}{R} = \frac{60 , \text{V}}{50 , \Omega} = 1.2 , \text{A} \]

Therefore, the current in the 50 Ω resistor is 1.2 A.