Changes

Consider the following circuit, where the labeled resistors (A, B, and C) all have the same resistance R (Ohms). Let V_A and I_A be the magnitude of the voltage drop across the resistor A, and the magnitude of the current through the resistor A, respectively, and V_B and I_B and V_C and I_C be the corresponding variables for resistor B and resistor C, respectively.

For all of the questions below, it may be helpful to think about simple cases: for example, consider the case when B is much bigger than C, and then consider the opposite, and then the case when they are the same. And consider the case where B||C is much bigger than A, and then consider the opposite, and then the case when they are the same. This can help you reason about these combinations in a general sense.

1) Change 1

Start from the circuit above. If the resistor labeled A is replaced with a wire, how would this affect the magnitude of the following values?

I_B -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

V_B -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

I_C -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

V_C -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

2) Change 2

Start from the same circuit above. If the resistor labeled B is replaced with a wire, how would this affect the magnitude of the following values?

I_A -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

V_A -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

I_C -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

V_C -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

3) Change 3

Start from the same circuit above. If the resistor labeled B is removed completely, how would this affect the magnitude of the following values?

I_A -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

V_A -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

I_C -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors

V_C -- Goes up Goes down Stays the same The change depends on the values of the sources and/or the resistors