Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 31 - Fundamentals of Circuits - Exercises and Problems - Page 917: 39

Answer

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Work Step by Step

We first need to find the equivalent resistance that makes the battery give a power of 9 W. We know that the power delivered by the battery is given by $$P=\dfrac{(\Delta V_{\rm battery})^2}{R_{\rm eq}}$$ Hence, $$R_{\rm eq}=\dfrac{(\Delta V_{\rm battery})^2}{P}=\dfrac{6^2}{9}=\bf 4\;\rm Omega$$ So we need to find a net resistance of 4 $\Omega$ from the 3 given resistors. We can get that by connecting the two resistors of 3 $\Omega$ and 6 $\Omega$ in parallel as one combination. This combination has a net resistance of 2 $\Omega$. Then add this combination to the third resistor of 2 $\Omega$ in series. Then we get a net resistance of 4 $\Omega$. See the figure below.
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