1. Chapter 26 DC Circuits
Chapter 26 Opener. These MP3 players contain circuits that are dc, at least in part. (The audio signal is ac.) The circuit diagram below shows a possible amplifier circuit for each stereo channel. Although the large triangle is an amplifier chip containing transistors (discussed in Chapter 40), the other circuit elements are ones we have met, resistors and capacitors, and we discuss them in circuits in this Chapter. We also discuss voltmeters and ammeters, and how they are built and used to make measurements.

2. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
This gives the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance:

3. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
An analogy using water may be helpful in visualizing parallel circuits. The water (current) splits into two streams; each falls the same height, and the total current is the sum of the two currents. With two pipes open, the resistance to water flow is half what it is with one pipe open.
Figure Water pipes in parallel—analogy to electric currents in parallel.

4. ConcepTest 26.1 Series Resistors
1) 12 V
2) zero
3) 6 V
4) 8 V
5) 4 V
In the circuit below, what is the voltage across R1?
12 V
R1 = 4 W
R2 = 2 W

5. ConcepTest 26.1 Series Resistors
1) 12 V
2) zero
3) 6 V
4) 8 V
5) 4 V
In the circuit below, what is the voltage across R1?
The voltage drop across R1 has to be twice as big as the drop across R2. This means that V1 = 8 V and V2 = 4 V. Or else you could find the current I = V/R = (12 V)/(6 W) = 2 A, and then use Ohm’s law to get voltages.
12 V
R1 = 4 W
R2 = 2 W
Follow-up: What happens if the voltage is doubled?

6. ConcepTest 26.2 Parallel Resistors
1) increases
2) remains the same
3) decreases
4) drops to zero
Points P and Q are connected to a battery of fixed voltage. As more resistors R are added to the parallel circuit, what happens to the total current in the circuit?

7. ConcepTest 26.2 Parallel Resistors
1) increases
2) remains the same
3) decreases
4) drops to zero
Points P and Q are connected to a battery of fixed voltage. As more resistors R are added to the parallel circuit, what happens to the total current in the circuit?
As we add parallel resistors, the overall resistance of the circuit drops. Since V = IR, and V is held constant by the battery, when resistance decreases, the current must increase.
Follow-up: What happens to the current through each resistor?

8. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Conceptual Example 26-2: Series or parallel?
(a) The lightbulbs in the figure are identical. Which configuration produces more light? (b) Which way do you think the headlights of a car are wired? Ignore change of filament resistance R with current.
Solution: a. In the parallel configuration, the equivalent resistance is less, so the current is higher and the lights will be brighter.
b. They are wired in parallel, so that if one light burns out the other one still stays on.

9. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Example 26-4: Circuit with series and parallel resistors.
How much current is drawn from the battery shown?
Solution: First we find the equivalent resistance of the two resistors in parallel, then the series combination of that with the third resistance. For the two parallel resistors, R = 290 Ω (remember that the usual equation gives the INVERSE of the resistance – students are often confused by this). The series combination is then 690 Ω, so the current in the battery is V/R = 17 mA.

10. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Conceptual Example 26-3: An illuminating surprise.
A 100-W, 120-V lightbulb and a 60-W, 120-V lightbulb are connected in two different ways as shown. In each case, which bulb glows more brightly? Ignore change of filament resistance with current (and temperature).
Solution: a. Each bulb sees the full 120V drop, as they are designed to do, so the 100-W bulb is brighter.
b. P = V2/R, so at constant voltage the bulb dissipating more power will have lower resistance. In series, then, the 60-W bulb – whose resistance is higher – will be brighter. (More of the voltage will drop across it than across the 100-W bulb).

11. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Example 26-5: Current in one branch.
What is the current through the 500-Ω resistor shown?
Solution: The total current is 17 mA, so the voltage drop across the 400-Ω resistor is V = IR = 7.0 V. This means that the voltage drop across the 500-Ω resistor is 5.0 V, and the current through it is I = V/R = 10 mA.

12. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Conceptual Example 26-6: Bulb brightness in a circuit.
The circuit shown has three identical lightbulbs, each of resistance R. (a) When switch S is closed, how will the brightness of bulbs A and B compare with that of bulb C? (b) What happens when switch S is opened? Use a minimum of mathematics in your answers.
Solution: a. When S is closed, the bulbs in parallel have an equivalent resistance equal to half that of the series bulb. Therefore, the voltage drop across them is smaller. In addition, the current splits between the two of them. Bulbs A and B will be equally bright, but much dimmer than C.
b. With switch S open, no current flows through A, so it is dark. B and C are now equally bright, and each has half the voltage across it, so C is somewhat dimmer than it was with the switch closed, and B is brighter.

13. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Example 26-7: A two-speed fan.
One way a multiple-speed ventilation fan for a car can be designed is to put resistors in series with the fan motor. The resistors reduce the current through the motor and make it run more slowly. Suppose the current in the motor is 5.0 A when it is connected directly across a 12-V battery. (a) What series resistor should be used to reduce the current to 2.0 A for low-speed operation? (b) What power rating should the resistor have?
Solution: a. The resistance of the motor is V/I = 2.4 Ω. For the current to be 2.0 A, the voltage across the motor must be 4.8 V; the other 7.2 V must appear across the resistor, whose resistance is therefore 7.2V/2.0A = 3.6 Ω.
b. The power is IV = 14.4 W; a 20-W rating would be reasonably safe.

14. 26-2 Resistors in Series and in Parallel
Example 26-8: Analyzing a circuit.
A 9.0-V battery whose internal resistance r is 0.50 Ω is connected in the circuit shown. (a) How much current is drawn from the battery? (b) What is the terminal voltage of the battery? (c) What is the current in the 6.0-Ω resistor?
Solution: a. First, find the equivalent resistance. The 8-Ω and 4-Ω resistors in parallel have an equivalent resistance of 2.7 Ω; this is in series with the 6.0-Ω resistor, giving an equivalent of 8.7 Ω. This is in parallel with the 10.0-Ω resistor, giving an equivalent of 4.8 Ω; finally, this is in series with the 5.0-Ω resistor and the internal resistance of the battery, for an overall resistance of 10.3 Ω. The current is 9.0 V/10.3 Ω = 0.87 A.
b. The terminal voltage of the battery is the emf less Ir = 8.6 V.
c. The current across the 6.0-Ω resistor and the 2.7-Ω equivalent resistance is the same; the potential drop across the 10.0-Ω resistor and the 8.3-Ω equivalent resistor is also the same. The sum of the potential drop across the 8.3-Ω equivalent resistor plus the drops across the 5.0-Ω resistor and the internal resistance equals the emf of the battery; the current through the 8.3-Ω equivalent resistor is then 0.48 A.

15. ConcepTest 26.4 Circuits
1) twice as much
2) the same
3) 1/2 as much
4) 1/4 as much
5) 4 times as much
The three lightbulbs in the circuit all have the same resistance of 1 W . By how much is the brightness of bulb B greater or smaller than the brightness of bulb A? (brightness  power)
10 V

16. Follow-up: What is the total current in the circuit?
ConcepTest 26.4 Circuits
1) twice as much
2) the same
3) 1/2 as much
4) 1/4 as much
5) 4 times as much
The three lightbulbs in the circuit all have the same resistance of 1 W . By how much is the brightness of bulb B greater or smaller than the brightness of bulb A? (brightness  power)
We can use P = V2/R to compare the power:
PA = (VA)2/RA = (10 V)2/1 W = 100 W
PB = (VB)2/RB = (5 V)2/1 W = 25 W
10 V
Follow-up: What is the total current in the circuit?

17. ConcepTest 26.5 More Circuits
1) increases
2) decreases
3) stays the same
What happens to the voltage across the resistor R4 when the switch is closed? V R1 R3 R4 R2 S

18. ConcepTest 26.5 More Circuits
1) increases
2) decreases
3) stays the same
What happens to the voltage across the resistor R4 when the switch is closed? V R1 R3 R4 R2 S A B C
We just saw that closing the switch causes an increase in the voltage across R1 (which is VAB). The voltage of the battery is constant, so if VAB increases, then VBC must decrease!
Follow-up: What happens to the current through R4?

19. 26-3 Kirchhoff’s Rules
Some circuits cannot be broken down into series and parallel connections. For these circuits we use Kirchhoff’s rules.
Figure Currents can be calculated using Kirchhoff’s rules.

20. 26-3 Kirchhoff’s Rules
Junction rule: The sum of currents entering a junction equals the sum of the currents leaving it.

21. 26-3 Kirchhoff’s Rules
Loop rule: The sum of the changes in potential around a closed loop is zero.
Figure Changes in potential around the circuit in (a) are plotted in (b).

22. 26-3 Kirchhoff’s Rules Problem Solving: Kirchhoff’s Rules
Label each current, including its direction.
Identify unknowns.
Apply junction and loop rules; you will need as many independent equations as there are unknowns.
Solve the equations, being careful with signs. If the solution for a current is negative, that current is in the opposite direction from the one you have chosen.

23. 26-3 Kirchhoff’s Rules Example 26-9: Using Kirchhoff’s rules.
Calculate the currents I1, I2, and I3 in the three branches of the circuit in the figure.
Solution: You will have two loop rules and one junction rule (there are two junctions but they both give the same rule, and only 2 of the 3 possible loop equations are independent). Algebraic manipulation will give I1 = A, I2 = 2.6 A, and I3 = 1.7 A.

24. ConcepTest 26.9 Junction Rule
1) 2 A
2) 3 A
3) 5 A
4) 6 A
5) 10 A
What is the current in branch P?
5 A
8 A
2 A P

25. ConcepTest 26.9 Junction Rule
1) 2 A
2) 3 A
3) 5 A
4) 6 A
5) 10 A
What is the current in branch P?
The current entering the junction in red is 8 A, so the current leaving must also be 8 A. One exiting branch has 2 A, so the other branch (at P) must have 6 A.
5 A S P
8 A
Junction
6 A
2 A

26. ConcepTest 26.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules
1) both bulbs go out
2) intensity of both bulbs increases
3) intensity of both bulbs decreases
4) A gets brighter and B gets dimmer
5) nothing changes
The lightbulbs in the circuit are identical. When the switch is closed, what happens?

27. ConcepTest 26.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules
1) both bulbs go out
2) intensity of both bulbs increases
3) intensity of both bulbs decreases
4) A gets brighter and B gets dimmer
5) nothing changes
The lightbulbs in the circuit are identical. When the switch is closed, what happens?
When the switch is open, the point between the bulbs is at 12 V. But so is the point between the batteries. If there is no potential difference, then no current will flow once the switch is closed!! Thus, nothing changes.
24 V
Follow-up: What happens if the bottom battery is replaced by a 24 V battery?

28. ConcepTest 26.12 More Kirchhoff’s Rules
1) 2 – I1 – 2I2 = 0
2) 2 – 2I1 – 2I2 – 4I3 = 0
3) 2 – I1 – 4 – 2I2 = 0
4) I3 – 4 – 2I = 0
5) 2 – I1 – 3I3 – 6 = 0
Which of the equations is valid for the circuit below?
2 V
2 
6 V
4 V
3 
1  I1 I3 I2

29. ConcepTest 26.12 More Kirchhoff’s Rules
1) 2 – I1 – 2I2 = 0
2) 2 – 2I1 – 2I2 – 4I3 = 0
3) 2 – I1 – 4 – 2I2 = 0
4) I3 – 4 – 2I = 0
5) 2 – I1 – 3I3 – 6 = 0
Which of the equations is valid for the circuit below?
Eq. 3 is valid for the left loop: The left battery gives +2 V, then there is a drop through a 1 W resistor with current I1 flowing. Then we go through the middle battery (but from + to – !), which gives –4 V. Finally, there is a drop through a 2 W resistor with current I2.
2 V
2 
6 V
4 V
3 
1  I1 I3 I2

30. 26-4 Series and Parallel EMFs; Battery Charging
EMFs in series in the same direction: total voltage is the sum of the separate voltages.

31. 26-4 Series and Parallel EMFs; Battery Charging
EMFs in series, opposite direction: total voltage is the difference, but the lower-voltage battery is charged.

32. 26-4 Series and Parallel EMFs; Battery Charging
EMFs in parallel only make sense if the voltages are the same; this arrangement can produce more current than a single emf.

33. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
When the switch is closed, the capacitor will begin to charge. As it does, the voltage across it increases, and the current through the resistor decreases.
Figure After the switch S closes in the RC circuit shown in (a), the voltage across the capacitor increases with time as shown in (b), and the current through the resistor decreases with time as shown in (c).

34. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
To find the voltage as a function of time, we write the equation for the voltage changes around the loop:
Since Q = dI/dt, we can integrate to find the charge as a function of time:

35. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
The voltage across the capacitor is VC = Q/C:
The quantity RC that appears in the exponent is called the time constant of the circuit:

36. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
The current at any time t can be found by differentiating the charge:

37. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
Example 26-11: RC circuit, with emf.
The capacitance in the circuit shown is C = 0.30 μF, the total resistance is 20 kΩ, and the battery emf is 12 V. Determine (a) the time constant, (b) the maximum charge the capacitor could acquire, (c) the time it takes for the charge to reach 99% of this value, (d) the current I when the charge Q is half its maximum value, (e) the maximum current, and (f) the charge Q when the current I is 0.20 its maximum value.
Solution: a. The time constant is RC = 6.0 x 10-3 s.
b. The maximum charge is the emf x C = 3.6 μC.
c. Set Q(t) = 0.99 Qmax and solve for t: t = 28 ms.
d. When Q = 1.8 μC, I = 300 μA.
e. The maximum current is the emf/R = 600 μA.
f. When I = 120 μA, Q = 2.9 μC.

38. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
If an isolated charged capacitor is connected across a resistor, it discharges:
Figure For the RC circuit shown in (a), the voltage VC across the capacitor decreases with time, as shown in (b), after the switch S is closed at t = 0. The charge on the capacitor follows the same curve since VC α Q.

39. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
Once again, the voltage and current as a function of time can be found from the charge:
and

40. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
Example 26-12: Discharging RC circuit.
In the RC circuit shown, the battery has fully charged the capacitor, so Q0 = CE. Then at t = 0 the switch is thrown from position a to b. The battery emf is 20.0 V, and the capacitance C = 1.02 μF. The current I is observed to decrease to 0.50 of its initial value in 40 μs. (a) What is the value of Q, the charge on the capacitor, at t = 0? (b) What is the value of R? (c) What is Q at t = 60 μs?
Solution: a. At t = 0, Q = CE = 20.4 μC.
b. At t = 40 μs, I = 0.5 I0. Substituting in the exponential decay equation gives R = 57 Ω.
c. Q = 7.3 μC.

41. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
Conceptual Example 26-13: Bulb in RC circuit.
In the circuit shown, the capacitor is originally uncharged. Describe the behavior of the lightbulb from the instant switch S is closed until a long time later.
Solution: When the switch is closed, the current is large and the bulb is bright. As the capacitor charges, the bulb dims; once the capacitor is fully charged the bulb is dark.

42. 26-5 Circuits Containing Resistor and Capacitor (RC Circuits)
Example 26-14: Resistor in a turn signal.
Estimate the order of magnitude of the resistor in a turn-signal circuit.
Figure 26-21: (a) An RC circuit, coupled with a gas-filled tube as a switch, can produce a repeating “sawtooth” voltage, as shown in (b).
Solution: A turn signal flashes about twice per second; if we use a 1 μF capacitor, we need a 500 kΩ resistor to get an 0.5-second time constant.

43. 26-6 Electric Hazards
Most people can “feel” a current of 1 mA; a few mA of current begins to be painful. Currents above 10 mA may cause uncontrollable muscle contractions, making rescue difficult. Currents around 100 mA passing through the torso can cause death by ventricular fibrillation.
Higher currents may not cause fibrillation, but can cause severe burns.
Household voltage can be lethal if you are wet and in good contact with the ground. Be careful!

44. 26-7 Ammeters and Voltmeters
An ammeter measures current; a voltmeter measures voltage. Both are based on galvanometers, unless they are digital.
The current in a circuit passes through the ammeter; the ammeter should have low resistance so as not to affect the current.
Figure An ammeter is a galvanometer in parallel with a (shunt) resistor with low resistance, Rsh.

45. 26-7 Ammeters and Voltmeters
A voltmeter should not affect the voltage across the circuit element it is measuring; therefore its resistance should be very large.
Figure A voltmeter is a galvanometer in series with a resistor with high resistance, Rser.

46. 26-7 Ammeters and Voltmeters
An ohmmeter measures resistance; it requires a battery to provide a current.
Figure An ohmmeter.

47. 26-7 Ammeters and Voltmeters
Summary: An ammeter must be in series with the current it is to measure; a voltmeter must be in parallel with the voltage it is to measure.

48. 26-7 Ammeters and Voltmeters
Example 26-17: Voltage reading vs. true voltage.
Suppose you are testing an electronic circuit which has two resistors, R1 and R2, each 15 kΩ, connected in series as shown in part (a) of the figure. The battery maintains 8.0 V across them and has negligible internal resistance. A voltmeter whose sensitivity is 10,000 Ω/V is put on the 5.0-V scale. What voltage does the meter read when connected across R1, part (b) of the figure, and what error is caused by the finite resistance of the meter?
Solution: On the 5-V scale, the meter has a resistance of 50,000 Ω. The equivalent resistance of the meter and R1 in parallel is 11.5 kΩ. The total resistance of the circuit is 26.5 kΩ, so the current is 0.30 mA; the voltage across R1 (and therefore also across the voltmeter) is 3.5 V. Without the voltmeter, the voltage across R1 is half the battery voltage, or 4.0 V; this is more than a 10% error.

49. Summary of Chapter 26
A source of emf transforms energy from some other form to electrical energy.
A battery is a source of emf in parallel with an internal resistance.
Resistors in series:

50. Summary of Chapter 26 Resistors in parallel: Kirchhoff’s rules:
Sum of currents entering a junction equals sum of currents leaving it.
Total potential difference around closed loop is zero.

51. Summary of Chapter 26 RC circuit has a characteristic time constant:
To avoid shocks, don’t allow your body to become part of a complete circuit.
Ammeter: measures current.
Voltmeter: measures voltage.