A circuit passes 3 A. The internal resistance of the source is 2 ohms. The total resistance is 50 ohms. What is the terminal voltage of the source?
• Ohm’s Law relationship between current, voltage, and resistance • Difference between total circuit resistance and internal resistance of the source • How terminal voltage relates to emf (source voltage) and internal voltage drop
• First, use the given current and total resistance to find the overall source voltage needed to drive that current through the entire circuit. • Next, calculate the voltage drop across the internal resistance of the source using the same current. • Then, relate the source voltage, internal voltage drop, and terminal voltage: what does the meter at the terminals actually read?
• Verify you are using the total resistance (including internal) when finding the total source voltage. • Be sure to calculate the voltage drop across the internal resistance separately. • Check that your final terminal voltage is source voltage minus internal voltage drop, not the other way around.
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