Problem3
Section 21.1: Resistors in Series and Parallel

Question

What are the largest and smallest resistances you can obtain by connecting a , a , and a resistor together?

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Final Answer

Rmax=786ΩR_{max} = 786\Omega

Rmin=20.3ΩR_{min} = 20.3 \Omega

Solution video

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Video Transcript

This is College Physics Answers with Shaun Dychko. To get the largest resistance with a collection of resistors you have to connect them in series. The total series resistance will be the sum of each resistance added together directly. So we have 36 ohms plus 50 ohms plus 700 ohms, making 786 ohms in total. The minimum resistance you get by connecting them in parallel. The total parallel resistance will be the reciprocal, and that's what the power of negative one means there, take the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of each resistance. So we have 36 to the power of one, negative one I should say, plus 50 ohms to the power of negative one, plus 700 ohms to the power of negative one. Add all that together, take the reciprocal of that sum and you end up with 20.3 ohms. That's the minimum total resistance possible.

Comments

charlotte3452·
Is there a place where I can find the even numbers solved?
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ShaunDychko·
Hi Charlottefosh, thanks for the question. At the moment I'm working on Chapter 20 even numbered problems, with Chapter 21 up next. It'll probably be about 3 weeks before the evens for Chapter 21 are available.
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