For the circuit shown in the figure, both batteries are ideal. What current flows in the solid wire connecting the upper left and lower left corners of the circuit?
A) 0.25 A
B) 0.50 A
C) 0.75 A
D) 1.0 A

Question

For the circuit shown in the figure, both batteries are ideal. What current flows in the solid wire connecting the upper left and lower left corners of the circuit? 
A) 0.25 A 
B) 0.50 A 
C) 0.75 A 
D) 1.0 A

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By applying Kirchhoff's laws, we can see that the current flowing in the loop with the 4-ohm resistor and the 2-ohm resistor must be 0.5 A. This same current flows through the 2-ohm resistor in the bottom right corner of the circuit. By applying Kirchhoff's laws to the outer loop, we see that the current flowing through the 3-ohm resistor is also 0.5 A. Therefore, the total current flowing through the solid wire connecting the upper left and lower left corners must be 0.5 A + 0.25 A = 0.75 A.

For the Circuit Shown in the Figure, Both Batteries Are