Question

27.3 the ammeter and the voltmeter a circuit has three 10 ω resistors and a 9 v source. if an ammeter reads 0.6 a next to the battery, what is the configuration? the resistors are in series. r1 is in series with the pair, r2 and r3 in parallel with each other. the resistors are in parallel. not enough information.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate total resistance using Ohm's Law

According to Ohm's Law $V = IR$, where $V = 9V$ and $I=0.6A$. So the total resistance $R_{total}=\frac{V}{I}=\frac{9}{0.6}=15\Omega$.

Step2: Analyze resistor - combinations

If the three $10\Omega$ resistors were in series, $R_{series}=10 + 10+10 = 30\Omega$. If they were in parallel, $\frac{1}{R_{parallel}}=\frac{1}{10}+\frac{1}{10}+\frac{1}{10}=\frac{3}{10}$, so $R_{parallel}=\frac{10}{3}\Omega$.
Let's assume $R_1$ is in series with the pair $R_2$ and $R_3$ in parallel. The resistance of $R_2$ and $R_3$ in parallel is $\frac{10\times10}{10 + 10}=5\Omega$. And if $R_1 = 10\Omega$, then the total resistance $R = 10+5=15\Omega$.

Answer:

R1 is in series with the pair, R2 and R3 in parallel with each other.