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Find Currents in Resistor Network with Multiple Voltage Sources

Refer to the figure given below. The values of I1,I2I_1, I_2 and I3I_3 are _______.

Question Diagram 1

Options

A

I1=2.5 A,I2=1.875 A,I3=1.875 AI_1 = 2.5\text{ A}, I_2 = 1.875\text{ A}, I_3 = 1.875\text{ A}

Correct
B

I1=1.875 A,I2=2.5 A,I3=1.875 AI_1 = 1.875\text{ A}, I_2 = 2.5\text{ A}, I_3 = 1.875\text{ A}

C

I1=1.875 A,I2=1.875 A,I3=2.5 AI_1 = 1.875\text{ A}, I_2 = 1.875\text{ A}, I_3 = 2.5\text{ A}

D

I1=2.5 A,I2=2.5 A,I3=1.875 AI_1 = 2.5\text{ A}, I_2 = 2.5\text{ A}, I_3 = 1.875\text{ A}

Topics & Concepts

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the currents I1,I2,I_1, I_2, and I3I_3 in the given resistor network, we can analyze the circuit using Nodal Analysis.


1. Node Labeling and Reference Potential

Let us label the key nodes of the network:

  • Let the bottom node DD be chosen as the reference node with zero potential: VD=0 VV_D = 0\text{ V}
  • A 5 V5\text{ V} ideal voltage source connected between the top node CC and bottom node DD fixes the potential at node CC: VCVD=5 V    VC=5 VV_C - V_D = 5\text{ V} \implies V_C = 5\text{ V}
  • Let VMV_M be the electric potential at the central junction MM.
  • Let VAV_A be the electric potential at the leftmost node AA.

2. Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) at Central Node MM

The currents connected to node MM are:

  • Current from CC to MM through the upper 2Ω2\,\Omega resistor: ICM=VCVM2=5VM2I_{CM} = \frac{V_C - V_M}{2} = \frac{5 - V_M}{2}
  • Current from MM to DD through the lower 2Ω2\,\Omega resistor: IMD=VMVD2=VM2I_{MD} = \frac{V_M - V_D}{2} = \frac{V_M}{2}
  • Current I1I_1 leaving node MM towards node AA through the central branch containing the 10 V10\text{ V} battery and 1Ω1\,\Omega resistor.

Applying KCL at node MM: Iin=Iout\sum I_{\text{in}} = \sum I_{\text{out}} ICM=IMD+I1I_{CM} = I_{MD} + I_1 5VM2=VM2+I1    I1=52VM=2.5VM— (Equation 1)\frac{5 - V_M}{2} = \frac{V_M}{2} + I_1 \implies I_1 = \frac{5}{2} - V_M = 2.5 - V_M \quad \text{--- (Equation 1)}


3. Relation Between VAV_A and VMV_M

Moving from node MM to node AA across the 10 V10\text{ V} battery and 1Ω1\,\Omega internal resistor: VA=VM+10I1×1V_A = V_M + 10 - I_1 \times 1

Substituting VM=2.5I1V_M = 2.5 - I_1 from Equation (1): VA=(2.5I1)+10I1=12.52I1— (Equation 2)V_A = (2.5 - I_1) + 10 - I_1 = 12.5 - 2I_1 \quad \text{--- (Equation 2)}


4. KCL at Left Node AA

The currents connected to node AA are:

  • Current entering node AA from MM: I1I_1
  • Current leaving node AA to node CC through the top-left 4Ω4\,\Omega resistor: IAC=VAVC4=VA54I_{AC} = \frac{V_A - V_C}{4} = \frac{V_A - 5}{4}
  • Current leaving node AA to node DD through the bottom-left 4Ω4\,\Omega resistor (labeled as I3I_3): I3=VAVD4=VA4I_3 = \frac{V_A - V_D}{4} = \frac{V_A}{4}

Applying KCL at node AA: I1=IAC+I3=VA54+VA4=2VA54=VA21.25I_1 = I_{AC} + I_3 = \frac{V_A - 5}{4} + \frac{V_A}{4} = \frac{2V_A - 5}{4} = \frac{V_A}{2} - 1.25

Rearranging for VAV_A: VA=2I1+2.5— (Equation 3)V_A = 2I_1 + 2.5 \quad \text{--- (Equation 3)}


5. Solving for I1,VA,I_1, V_A, and VMV_M

Equating Equations (2) and (3): 12.52I1=2I1+2.512.5 - 2I_1 = 2I_1 + 2.5 4I1=10    I1=2.5 A4I_1 = 10 \implies I_1 = 2.5\text{ A}

Now substituting I1=2.5 AI_1 = 2.5\text{ A} back into our potential equations: VA=2(2.5)+2.5=7.5 VV_A = 2(2.5) + 2.5 = 7.5\text{ V} VM=2.52.5=0 VV_M = 2.5 - 2.5 = 0\text{ V}


6. Calculating I3I_3 and I2I_2

  • Current I3I_3 through the bottom-left 4Ω4\,\Omega resistor: I3=VAVD4=7.504=1.875 AI_3 = \frac{V_A - V_D}{4} = \frac{7.5 - 0}{4} = 1.875\text{ A}

  • Current I2I_2 supplied by the 5 V5\text{ V} battery to top node CC:

    • Current leaving CC towards MM: ICM=502=2.5 AI_{CM} = \frac{5 - 0}{2} = 2.5\text{ A}
    • Current entering CC from AA: IAC=VAVC4=7.554=0.625 AI_{AC} = \frac{V_A - V_C}{4} = \frac{7.5 - 5}{4} = 0.625\text{ A}
    • By KCL at node CC, I2+IAC=ICMI_2 + I_{AC} = I_{CM}: I2=ICMIAC=2.50.625=1.875 AI_2 = I_{CM} - I_{AC} = 2.5 - 0.625 = 1.875\text{ A}

Conclusion

I1=2.5 A,I2=1.875 A,I3=1.875 AI_1 = 2.5\text{ A}, \quad I_2 = 1.875\text{ A}, \quad I_3 = 1.875\text{ A}

This corresponds to Option A.

Find Currents in Resistor Network with Multiple Voltage Sources | Physics PYQ Solution - JEE Challenger