Consider four circuits shown in the figure below. In which circuit power dissipated is greatèst? (Neglect the internal resistance of the power supply).

Step-by-step solution

Let each resistance is R In choice (a) P= E^2 R_ eq P₁= E^2 R 2 = 2 E^2 R In choice (b) aligned R_ eq & =R+R=2 R P₂ & = E^2 2 R =0.5 E^2 R aligned In choice (c) R_ eq = R 2 +R= 3 R 2 P₃= 2 E^2 3 R =0.6 E^2 R In choice (d) aligned R & = 2 R R 2 R+R = 2 R 3 P₄ & = 3 E^2 2 R =1.5 E^2 R aligned So, P₁ is maximum.