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lampshader
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Homework Statement
What if you were to make a circuit with two 150-Watt light bulbs in parallel -- how much current would flow through each bulb? Compare that to the amount of current which would flow through the bulbs if they were connected in series. Which way would create more light?
Homework Equations
1/R (base eq) = 1 / R (base1) + 1 / R (base2) + 1 / R (base N)
I = E (base eq) / R (base eq)
P (base w) = I^2*R
The Attempt at a Solution
We can find the total resistance by:
1/R (base eq) = 1 / R (base1) + 1 / R (base2)
= 1/96 Ohms + 1/96 Ohms
= 1/48 Ohms = 0.2080 Ohms^-1
= R (base eq) = 1 / 0.2080 Ohms^-1 = 4.8077 Ohms.
We can now find the current by using:
E (base eq) = 12V
R (base eq) = 4.8077 Ohms;
then:
I = E (base eq) / R (base eq) = 12V / 4.8077 Ohms. = 2.496 =~ 2.5 A
P (base w) = I^2*R = (2.5 A)^2 * (4.8077 Ohms) = 30.0481 W
Therefore, 30.0481 Watt’s are flowing through each bulb during a live parallel circuit. To find the current of two 150 Watt light bulbs in a series we can use:
R (base eq) = 96 Ohms + 96 Ohms = 192 Ohms.
and:
I = E (base eq) / R (base eq) = 12V / 192 Ohms = 0.625 A
So, P (base w) = I^2*R = (0.625 A)^2 * 192 Ohms = 0.75 W.
My Conclusion, therefore, is the parallel circuit with two light bulbs has more current than that of the series circuit.