Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073380377
ISBN 13: 978-0-07338-037-7

Chapter 3 - Resistive Network Analysis - Part 1 Circuits - Homework Problems - Page 116: 3.7

Answer

$i_{1}=i_{2}=-0.5A$

Work Step by Step

In this question, we are required to find the two currents $i_{1}$ and $i_{2}$ by using node voltage analysis, i.e. considering the differences in potential across the nodes in the circuit. By KCL (Kirchoff's Current Law), $\sum{i_{n}}=0$. Since $1A$ of current approaches the node to the left of $R_{2}$ and $i_{1}A$ of current leaves at the node, $(1-i_{1})A$ of current continues rightwards and passes through $R_{2}$. Since $R_{2}=1\Omega$, $({\rightarrow}^{+})$ P.D. (Potential Difference) across $R_{2}=(1-i_{1})V$ Now consider the node above $R_{3}$. $({\downarrow}^{+})$ P.D. across $R_{3}=6i_{2}V$ Now consider the node above $R_{1}$. P.D. across $R_{1}=3i_{1}V$ Since $R_{2}$ and the joint directly below it are in parallel, both joints have the same P.D. P.D. at the bottom can be expressed as $3i_{1}-6i_{2}$. $$ \therefore {3i_{1}}-6i_{2}=1-i_{1}$$ $$4i_{1}-6i_{2}=1$$ We also note that the $1A$ and $2A$ currents flow through empty joints between the nodes across $R_{1}$ and $R_{2}$. This indicates that an equivalent imperfect voltage source of $3i_{1}V$ with an internal resistance of $3\Omega$ generates $1A$ of current, while an imperfect voltage source of $6i_{2}V$ with an internal resistance of $6\Omega$ generates $2A$ of current. We thus have the two equations $$\frac{3i_{1}}{k}=1$$ $$\frac{6i_{2}}{k}=2$$ where $k\in\mathbb{R}$. (Note: The intention here is to express $i_{1}$ and $i_{2}$ in numerical ratios and compare them, so that we can express one variable in terms of the other. To do this, we peg a "placeholder" variable $k$ to the resistance of the wire. Since we are only concerned with taking ratios in $3i_{1}$ and $6i_{2}$, $k$ will be eliminated in the ratios and thus, we do not have to worry about whether $k$ will affect subsequent calculations depending on whether we assume the wires are ideal or not.) We thus find that $i_{1}=\frac{1}{3k}$ and $i_{2}=\frac{2}{6k}=\frac{1}{3k}$. $$\therefore\frac{i_{1}}{i_{2}}=1\Rightarrow{i_{1}}=i_{2}$$ Substituting $i_{1}=i_{2}$ into the equation we derived earlier, $$4i_{2}-6i_{2}=-2i_{2}=1\Rightarrow{i_{2}}=-0.5A$$ $$\therefore{i_{1}}=i_{2}=-0.5A$$
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