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Science / Electronics basics / Grade 9 / se9v1

Equal Current: Compare Three Designs

Keep current, power and controlled comparisons distinct.

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Compare another equal-current set

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In a closed ideal series path, total resistance is R1 + R2 and both resistors carry I = source voltage / total resistance. Source power is source voltage x I. Each resistor dissipates I x I x its resistance. If voltage and total resistance change by the same factor, current stays equal but source power changes. That is a two-variable design comparison, not a test of changing voltage alone. Use paper only, not a physical build.

Worked example

Design X has 2 V and 50 + 50 = 100 ohms: I = 0.02 A and source power = 0.04 W. Design Y has 6 V and 150 + 150 = 300 ohms: I is still 0.02 A, but source power is 0.12 W. Both voltage and resistance tripled. Equal current does not mean equal power.

Separate worked designs: X has 2 V with two 50-ohm series resistors, 20 mA and 0.04 W source power. Y has 6 V with two 150-ohm series resistors, 20 mA and 0.12 W source power. Both voltage and resistance triple.
The worked designs X and Y are separate from question designs A, B and C.

Three closed series designs

Each design uses an ideal source and constant ideal resistors. Design A: source 4 V; resistors 100 ohms and 100 ohms. Design B: source 8 V; resistors 200 ohms and 200 ohms. Design C: source 12 V; resistors 300 ohms and 300 ohms.

Question 1 Using the design records, what current flows in Design B?
Question 2 What is the source power in Design B?
Question 3 In Design B, how much power does each 200-ohm resistor dissipate?
Question 4 All three designs carry 20 mA. Does that prove that raising voltage alone leaves current unchanged?
Question 5 A new Design D keeps the 4 V source but has only 100 ohms total. What are its current and source power?