Physics 2010 JAMB Past Questions - Question 37: Three 4Ω resistors connected in parallel have a potential difference of 16 V applied across them .What is total current in the circuit ?

Correct Answer

A

Explanation

To find the total current in a circuit with three 4Ω resistors connected in parallel with a potential difference of 16 V applied across them, you can use Ohm's law, which states:

I = V / R

Where:
I is the current (in amperes, A)
V is the potential difference or voltage (in volts, V)
R is the resistance (in ohms, Ω)

In this case, each of the three 4Ω resistors is connected in parallel, so the total resistance for the combination is calculated as follows:

1 / R_total = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + 1 / R3

1 / R_total = 1 / 4Ω + 1 / 4Ω + 1 / 4Ω
1 / R_total = 3 / 4Ω

Now, you can find the total resistance (R_total):

R_total = 4Ω / (3 / 4)
R_total = 16Ω / 3

Now that you have the total resistance (R_total), you can use Ohm's law to find the total current (I_total):

I_total = V / R_total
I_total = 16 V / (16Ω / 3)

To divide by a fraction, you can multiply by its reciprocal (the flipped fraction):

I_total = 16 V * (3 / 16Ω)
I_total = (48 V) / 16Ω
I_total = 3 A

So, the total current in the circuit is 3 amperes (A).