Two resistors, with resistance 5Ω and 10Ω respectively are to be connected to a battery of emf 6 V so as to obtain:
(a) minimum current flowing
(b) maximum current flowing
(c) How will you connect the resistances in each case?
(d) Calculate the strength of the total current in the circuit in the two cases.
Given: R1=5Ω,R2=10Ω, EMF = 6V
a) Effective resistance for series connection: R=R1+R2
R=5+10
R=15Ω
By Ohm's law, we have V=IR
so, Imin=VR
=615
=0.4
∴ Imin=0.4A
(b) Effective resistance for parallel connection:
1R=1R1+1R2
1R=R1+R2R1×R2
∴ R=R1×R2R1+R2
=5×105+10
=5015
=103Ω
By Ohm's law, we have V=IR
so, I=VR
⇒ (610)×3=1.8A
Imax=1.8A
(c) To get minimum current, the two resistors should be connected in series.
To get maximum current, we should connect the resistance in parallel
(d) The total current when connected in series Is=VR
=615
=0.4A
∴ total current when connected in series Is=0.4Ampere
The total current when connected in parallel Ip=VR
=(6×3)10
=1.8Ampere
∴ total current when connected in parallel Ip=1.8Ampere