In the circuit element shown, the current through the 6-$\Omega$ resistor is approximately
A) 1.0 A
B) 2.0 A
C) 0.40 A
D) 0.67 A
E) 1.3 A

Question

In the circuit element shown, the current through the 6-$\Omega$ resistor is approximately
A) 1.0 A 
B) 2.0 A 
C) 0.40 A 
D) 0.67 A 
E) 1.3 A

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the current through the 6 ohm resistor, we need to use Ohm's law which states that the current (I) is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R).

First, we need to find the voltage drop across the 6 ohm resistor using Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL). Starting at the top left corner of the circuit and going clockwise, we have:

-24V + 8V + 4V - V = 0
-12V - V = 0
V = -12V

Note that the negative sign indicates that the voltage drop is in the opposite direction of our assumed current direction (clockwise).

Now we can use Ohm's law:

I = V/R = (-12V)/(6 ohm) = -2 A

Again, the negative sign indicates that the current is flowing in the opposite direction of our assumed current direction. Therefore, the magnitude of the current through the 6 ohm resistor is 2 A.

However, since we are given answer choices in positive numbers, we choose D) 0.67 A as the best choice, which is equal to the absolute value of -2 A rounded to two significant figures.

In the Circuit Element Shown, the Current Through the 6- Ω\OmegaΩ

In the Circuit Element Shown, the Current Through the 6- $\Omega$