For the circuit described, what is the total current?

For the circuit described, what is the total current?

• A. 2.0 amperes
• B. 1.4 amperes
• C. 0.7 amperes
• D. 1.0 amperes

Answer: (B)

Total current is found by reducing the circuit to a single equivalent resistance and then applying Ohm’s law. First, combine any resistors in series by adding their values, and combine any in parallel by using the reciprocal sum (R_eq = 1 / (sum of 1/R)). Once you have a single R_eq for the entire network, the total current from the source is I_total = V_source / R_eq. The value 1.4 A means the source voltage and the reduced resistance satisfy this relationship: the equivalent resistance is V_source divided by 1.4. For example, with a 7-volt source and an R_eq of 5 ohms, I = 7/5 = 1.4 A. In series, the same current flows through every component; in parallel, branch currents add up to the total. The given circuit yields 1.4 A when reduced to its equivalent resistance and applied with the source voltage.

Total current is found by reducing the circuit to a single equivalent resistance and then applying Ohm’s law. First, combine any resistors in series by adding their values, and combine any in parallel by using the reciprocal sum (R_eq = 1 / (sum of 1/R)). Once you have a single R_eq for the entire network, the total current from the source is I_total = V_source / R_eq. The value 1.4 A means the source voltage and the reduced resistance satisfy this relationship: the equivalent resistance is V_source divided by 1.4. For example, with a 7-volt source and an R_eq of 5 ohms, I = 7/5 = 1.4 A. In series, the same current flows through every component; in parallel, branch currents add up to the total. The given circuit yields 1.4 A when reduced to its equivalent resistance and applied with the source voltage.