Find the current in the 6 Ω resistor R2 of the circuit shown. A 12 V battery connected to R1 = 2 Ω in series, followed by two resistors in parallel, R2 = 6 Ω and R3 = 3 Ω.

Find the current in the 6 Ω resistor R2 of the…

Find the current in the 6 Ω resistor R2 of the circuit shown.

HardOriginal question

Find the current in the 6 Ω resistor R2 of the circuit shown.

1 ACorrect answerYour answer2 ACorrect answerYour answer3 ACorrect answerYour answer6 ACorrect answerYour answer

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CorrectNot quiteAnswer A

Correct answer: A

R2 and R3 are in parallel: 6 × 3 ÷ (6 + 3) = 2 Ω. Adding R1 in series gives 2 + 2 = 4 Ω.
Battery current = 12 ÷ 4 = 3 A. The pair's voltage = 3 × 2 = 6 V.
Current through R2 = 6 ÷ 6 = 1 A (and 2 A through R3).

Worth noting

3 A is the total, which splits between R2 and R3; 2 A is R3's share.

Ten questions from Everyday Physics, at your own pace.

Ten questions from Everyday Physics, at your own pace.