Chapter 28

Direct Current Circuits

Multiple Choice
1.

If = 12 V and R = 3.0 , at what rate is thermal energy being generated in the 2Rresistor shown?
R

2R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2.

12 W
24 W
6.0 W
3.0 W
1.5 W

What is the rate at which thermal energy is generated in the 30- resistor shown?
10

+
30 V

30

5.0

5.0

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20 W
27 W
60 W
13 W
30 W

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

3.

What is the magnitude of the potential difference across the 20- resistor shown in the
figure?
10

+
20

11 V

10

5.0

3.2 V
7.8 V
11 V
5.0 V
8.6 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
4.

10

What is the current in the 10- resistor shown in the figure?

+
5

21 V

10

0.60 A
3.0 A
1.2 A
2.4 A
0.30 A

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
5.

If = 20 V, at what rate is thermal energy being generated in the 20- resistor shown in
the circuit?
40

30

30

30

20

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

6.5 W
1.6 W
15 W
26 W
5.7 W

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

6.

If = 24 V, at what rate is thermal energy generated in the 5- resistor shown in the

circuit?
5.0

10

10

10

10

13 W
3.2 W
23 W
39 W
51 W

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
7.

A 20-V emf placed across a series combination of two resistors causes a current of 2.0 A in
each of the resistors. If the same emf is placed across a parallel combination of the same
two resistors and a current of 10 A through the emf is observed, what is the higher of the
two resistances?
7.2
7.6
6.9
8.0
2.8

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8.

A resistor of unknown resistance and a 15- resistor are connected across a 20-V emf in
such a way that a 2.0 A current is observed in the emf. What is the value of the unknown
resistance?
75
12
7.5
30
5.0

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
9.

If = 9.0 V, what is the current in the 15- resistor shown in the circuit?
20

15

30

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

0.20 A
0.30 A
0.10 A
0.26 A
0.60 A

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

10.

For the figure shown, if = 18 V, what joule heat is produced in the 10- resistor in 5.0 s?
+

15

10

12

72 J
32 J
50 J
18 J
90 J

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
11.

In the figure shown, if I = 0.50 A and R = 12 , determine .

R

2R

2R

12 V
24 V
30 V
15 V
6.0 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
12.

In the figure shown, if I = 0.20 A and = 18 V, determine R.

R

4R

+
3R

I
2R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

50
8.0
10
20
30

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

13.

In the figure shown, if = 24 V and R = 50 , determine I.

+

6R

3R

I
2R

25 mA
50 mA
40 mA
80 mA
120 mA

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
14.

In the figure shown, if R = 50 and I = 20 mA, determine .

6R

2R

+
I

3R

27 V
18 V
45 V
36 V
6.0 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
15.

For the circuit shown if = 50 V, what is the potential difference Va Vb?

10

10
a

20 V

40 V

b
5.0

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

50 V
48 V
45 V
52 V
56 V

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

16.

Determine the current in the 10-V emf shown.

5.0

5.0

10 V

15 V

+
5.0

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
17.

2.3 A
2.7 A
1.3 A
0.30 A
2.5 A

What is the magnitude of the current in the 20- resistor shown?

10

+
20

10 V

15 V

10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
18.

0.75 A
0.00 A
0.25 A
0.50 A
1.00 A

Determine the potential difference, Va Vb for the circuit shown.

10
b
10

+
10 V

10

15 V

a
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

5.0 V
+5.0 V
10 V
+10 V
0V

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

19.

What is the potential difference V b V a for the circuit shown.

10

30 V

10 V

20
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
20.

8.0 V
+8.0 V
18 V
+18 V
12 V

What power is supplied by the 10-V emf shown?

+

10

10 V

+
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
21.

20 V

20

10 W
+10 W
zero
+20 W
20 W

If = 8.0 V, at what rate is the emf providing energy to the circuit shown?
15

10

12 V

+
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

8.4 W
7.6 W
5.6 W
11 W
2.0 W

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Chapter 28

22.

In the figure, if I = 30 mA, determine the magnitude and sense (direction) of the current in
the 500- resistor.
500

15 V

10 V

30 V

400

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
23.

56
56
48
48
26

mA
mA
mA
mA
mA

left to right
right to left
left to right
right to left
left to right

In the figure, if I = 80 mA, determine the resistance R.

100

20 V

40 V

+
200

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
24.

400
200
300
600
800

In the figure, if I = 80 mA, determine the magnitude of the current in the 100- resistor.
100

+
20 V

40 V

+
200

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

60 mA
80 mA
40 mA
20 mA
100 mA

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

25.

In the figure, if I = 1.8 A, determine the magnitude and sense (direction) of the current in
the 10- resistor.
+
50 V

30 V

20
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
26.

1.6
1.6
1.2
1.2
1.8

A
A
A
A
A

right to left
left to right
right to left
left to right
left to right

In the figure, if I = 1.5 A, determine the resistance R.

+
50 V

30 V

20
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
27.

40
8.0
85
28
32

In the figure, if I = 1.5 A in the circuit segment shown, what is the potential difference
V b V A?

20

20 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

12 V

+22 V
22 V
38 V
+38 V
+2.0 V

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10

Chapter 28

28.

If I = 0.50 A in the circuit segment shown, what is the potential difference VB VA?
10
A

16

15 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
29.

+28 V
+2.0 V
28 V
2.0 V
+18 V

In the figure shown, if R = 2.0 k, C = 4.0 mF, = 8.0 V, Q = 20 mC, and I = 3.0 mA, what is
the potential difference V b V a?
R

+
+

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
30.

+7.0 V
+19 V
+9.0 V
3.0 V
14 V

In the figure, if R = 3.0 k, C = 5.0 mF, = 6.0 V, Q = 15 mC, and I = 4.0 mA, what is the
potential difference V b V a?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

+
+

3.0 V
+9.0 V
15 V
+21 V
6.0 V

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

31.

In the figure, if R = 4.0 k, C = 3.0 mF, = 15 V, Q = 12 mC, and I = 2.0 mA, what is the
potential difference V b V a?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
32.

+
+

+3.0 V
19 V
3.0 V
+27 V
+21 V

In the figure, if R = 3.0 k, C = 6.0 nF, 1 = 10.0 V, Q = 18 nC, 2 = 6.0 V, and I = 5.0 mA,
what is the potential difference V b V a?
1
a

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
33.

+
+
+
+

13 V
28 V
13 V
28 V
+2.0 V

In the figure, if 1 = 4.0 V, 2 = 12.0 V, R1 = 4 , R2 = 12 , C = 3 F, Q = 18 C, and

I = 2.5 A, what is the potential difference V a V b?
R1
a

+
2

C
+ +Q
I

b
R2

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

30 V
30 V
5.0 V
5.0 V
1.0 V

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11

12

Chapter 28

34.

If the current in the 4.0- resistor shown is 1.4 A, what is the magnitude of the potential
difference, VA VB?
2

A
2

16

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
35.

69 V
55 V
62 V
48 V
31 V

If I = 0.40 A in the circuit segment shown, what is the potential difference Va Vb?
10

12

8
b
10

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
36.

31 V
28 V
25 V
34 V
10 V

If I = 2.0 A in the circuit segment shown, what is the potential difference VB VA?

10

20 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

10 V

+10 V
20 V
10 V
+20 V
+30 V

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

37.

In the circuit segment shown if I = 2.0 mA and Q = 50 C, determine the potential

difference, VA VB.
Q
A

+
+

38.

If I = 2.0 mA and the potential difference, VA VB = +30V in the circuit segment shown,
determine the charge and polarity of the capacitor.
10 k

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

50 F

40 V

1.5 mC, left plate is positive

1.5 mC, right plate is positive
0.50 mC, left plate is positive
0.50 mC, right plate is positive
None of the above

If Q = 400 C and the potential difference VA VB = 10 V in the circuit segment shown,

what is the current in the resistor?
Q
A

+
+

20 k

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

10 F

40.

40 V
+40 V
+20 V
20 V
10 V

39.

2.0 F

15 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

15 k

30 V

1.0 mA right to left

1.0 mA left to right
3.5 mA right to left
3.5 mA left to right
None of the above

If Q = 350 C and I = 4.0 mA in the circuit segment shown, determine the potential
difference, VA VB.
B

25 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

+
+

5.0 k
A

10 F

30 V
80 V
+40 V
40 V
+10 V

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

13

14

Chapter 28

41.

In an RC circuit, how many time-constants must elapse if an initially uncharged capacitor

is to reach 80% of its final potential difference?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

42.

How many time-constants must elapse if an initially charged capacitor is to discharge

55% of its stored energy through a resistor?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

43.

0.84
0.90
0.75
0.60
0.03

How long will it take a charged 80-F capacitor to lose 20% of its initial energy if
allowed to discharge through a 45- resistor?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

45.

0.60
0.46
0.52
0.40
1.1

In an RC circuit, what fraction of the final energy is stored in an initially uncharged

capacitor after it has been charging for 3.0 time constants?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

44.

2.2
1.9
1.6
3.0
5.0

0.92 ms
0.64 ms
0.40 ms
0.19 ms
0.80 ms

In the figure, at t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 50 F,

= 20 V, and R = 4.0 k, what is the charge on the capacitor when I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+ +Q

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

360 C
480 C
240 C
600 C
400 C

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

46.

In the figure, at t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 30 F,

= 30 V, and R = 5.0 k, at what rate is energy being stored in the capacitor when
I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+ +Q

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
47.

32 mW
40 mW
44 mW
36 mW
80 mW

In the figure, at t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 40 F,

= 50 V, and R = 5.0 k, how much energy is stored by the capacitor when I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+ +Q

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20 mJ
28 mJ
32 mJ
36 mJ
40 mJ

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

15

16

Chapter 28

48.

In the figure, at t = 0 the switch S is closed with the capacitor uncharged. If C = 30 F,

= 50 V, and R = 10 k, what is the potential difference across the capacitor when
I = 2.0 mA?
S
I

+ +Q

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
49.

A capacitor in a single-loop RC circuit is charged to 85% of its final potential difference

in 2.4 s. What is the time constant for this circuit?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

50.

20 V
15 V
25 V
30 V
45 V

1.5 s
1.3 s
1.7 s
1.9 s
2.9 s

In the figure, if R = 13 , what is the equivalent resistance between points a and b?

R

2R
b

3R
a
R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

29
23
26
20
4.6

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Chapter 28

51.

In the figure, if R = 11 , what is the equivalent resistance between points a and b?

R

3R

2R

4R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
52.

36
31
26
43
4.6

In the figure, if R = 30 , what is the equivalent resistance between points a and b?

R

R
a

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
53.

27
21
24
18
7.5

In the figure, if R = 12 , what is the equivalent resistance between points a and b?

R

a
R

R
b
R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20
16
24
28
6.0

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17

18

Chapter 28

54.

In the figure, what is the equivalent resistance between points a and b?

20
a
10

10

10

b
5

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
55.

14
8.0
6.0
25
40

If R1 = 10 , R2 = 15 , R3 = 20 , and I = 0.50 A, at what rate is heat being generated in

these resistors?
R1

R2
I
R3

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
56.

29 W
16 W
22 W
11 W
1.1 W

If R1 = 3.0 , R2 = 6.0 , R3 = 12 , and I = 0.50 A, at what rate is heat being generated

in R 1?

R1

R2

R3

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20 W
17 W
12 W
31 W
6.0 W

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

57.

A certain brand of hot dog cooker works by applying a potential difference (120 V) to
opposite ends of the hot dog and allowing it to cook by means of the joule heat produced.
If it requires 60 kJ to cook each hot dog, what is the current needed to simultaneously cook
four hot dogs in 3.0 min?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

58.

11 A
2.8 A
8.3 A
2.1 A
3.6 A

If 480 C pass through a 4.0- resistor in 10 min, what is the potential difference across
the resistor?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

59.

19

3.6
2.8
2.4
3.2
5.0

V
V
V
V
V

A 10-V battery is connected to a 15- resistor and an unknown resistor R, as shown. The
current in the circuit is 0.40 A. How much heat is produced in the 15- resistor in a time
of 2.0 min?
R

15

10 V

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

0.40 kJ
0.19 kJ
0.29 kJ
0.72 kJ
0.80 kJ

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

20

Chapter 28

60.

If R = 20 , what is the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the figure?

R

2R

4R

2R

4R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
61.

77
63
70
84
140

If R = 18 , what is the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the figure?

3R

5R
B

3R

5R

A
3R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
62.

5R

48
64
80
96
110

If R = 10 , what is the equivalent resistance between points A and B in the figure?

2R
B

2R

A
5R

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20
10
25
15
3.2

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

21

Conceptual Problems
63.

Four 1.5-volt AA batteries in series are used to power a transistor radio. If the batteries
hold a total charge of 240 C, how long will they last if the radio has a resistance of
200 ?

64.

What is the maximum number of 100-W lightbulbs you can connect in parallel in a 120-V
home circuit without tripping the 20-A circuit breaker?

65.

A 5000- resistor and a 50-F capacitor are connected in series at t = 0 with a 6-V battery.
The capacitor is initially uncharged. What is the current in the circuit at t = 0? At
t = 0.5 s? What is the maximum charge stored on the capacitor?

66.

An initially uncharged 10-F capacitor is charged by a 10-V battery through a resistance

R. The capacitor reaches a potential difference of 4 V in a period of 3 s after the charging
began. Find the value of R.

67.

In a loop in a closed circuit, the sum of the currents entering a junction equals the sum of the
currents leaving a junction because
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

68.

When a capacitor is fully charged, the current through the capacitor is

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

69.

the potential of the nearest battery is the potential at the junction.

there are no transformations of energy from one type to another in a circuit loop.
capacitors tend to maintain current through them at a constant value.
current is used up after it leaves a junction.
charge is neither created nor destroyed at a junction.

zero.
at its maximum value.
equal to the current in a resistive circuit in parallel with the capacitor circuit.
greater than the current in a resistor that is farther from the battery than the
capacitor.
zero if it is the only capacitor, but maximum if there is another capacitor in series
with it.

The algebraic sum of the changes of potential around any closed circuit loop is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

zero.
maximum.
zero only if there are no sources of emf in the loop.
maximum if there are no sources of emf in the loop.
equal to the sum of the currents in the branches of the loop.

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

22

Chapter 28

70.

The circuit below contains three 100W light bulbs. = 110 V. Which light bulb(s) is(are.
brightest?

A
B
C
B and C
All three are equally bright.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
71.

The circuit below contains three 100 watt light bulbs. = 110 V. Which light bulb(s)
is(are) the brightest?

A
B
C
B and C
All three are equally bright.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
72.

The circuit below contains three light bulbs and a capacitor. = 110V. The capacitor is
fully charged. Which light bulb(s) is(are) dimmest?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

A
B
C
A and B
All three are equally bright (or dim).

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

73.

23

The circuit below contains three light bulbs and a capacitor. = 110V. At the instant the
switch S is closed, which light bulb is brightest?

A
B
C
A and B
All three are equally bright.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
74.

The circuit below contains three resistors, A, B, and C, which all have equal resistances.
= 110V. Which resistor generates the most thermal energy after the switch is closed?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

A
B
C
A and B
All three generate equal amounts of thermal energy.

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

24

Chapter 28

75.

The diagram shown represents a portion of a wire in a circuit. A current is flowing in the
wire in the direction shown. Under the convention that it is positive charge that flows
the electric field points in the direction of the current. How can the electric field change
direction where the wire bends?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

There is an excess of negative charge in the center of the wire.

There is an excess of positive charge at the bottom end of the wire.
There is an excess of negative charge at the right end of the upper portion of the wire.
There is an accumulation of positive charge on the surface, particularly at the bend,
such that the sum of electric fields gives the new electric field.
There is an accumulation of electrical potential as the current traverses the wire: The
higher potential in the lower half is the source of the field.

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Direct Current Circuits
1.

Answer: c

2.

Answer: d

3.

Answer: b

4.

Answer: a

5.

Answer: b

6.

Answer: b

7.

Answer: a

8.

Answer: d

9.

Answer: a

10.

Answer: d

11.

Answer: b

12.

Answer: d

13.

Answer: c

14.

Answer: b

15.

Answer: c

16.

Answer: a

17.

Answer: d

18.

Answer: a

19.

Answer: a

20.

Answer: b

21.

Answer: c

22.

Answer: a

23.

Answer: d

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Chapter 28

24.

Answer: c

25.

Answer: a

26.

Answer: b

27.

Answer: b

28.

Answer: a

29.

Answer: c

30.

Answer: a

31.

Answer: c

32.

Answer: d

33.

Answer: a

34.

Answer: d

35.

Answer: c

36.

Answer: c

37.

Answer: d

38.

Answer: a

39.

Answer: a

40.

Answer: d

41.

Answer: c

42.

Answer: d

43.

Answer: b

44.

Answer: c

45.

Answer: d

46.

Answer: b

47.

Answer: c

48.

Answer: d

49.

Answer: b

50.

Answer: d

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

51.

Answer: c

52.

Answer: d

53.

Answer: b

54.

Answer: d

55.

Answer: d

56.

Answer: c

57.

Answer: a

58.

Answer: d

59.

Answer: c

60.

Answer: c

61.

Answer: d

62.

Answer: b

63.

Answer: 2.2 hours

64.

Answer: 23

65.

Answer: 1.2 mA, 0.162 mA, 300 C

66.

Answer: 587 k

67.

Answer: e

68.

Answer: a

69.

Answer: a

70.

Answer: a

71.

Answer: a

72.

Answer: c

73.

Answer: c

74.

Answer: c

75.

Answer: d

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.

Chapter 28

2000 by Harcourt College Publishers. All rights reserved.