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PRACTICE / Kirchhoff laws

Check mesh algebra with source power

Two clockwise mesh currents satisfy 4i₁ − i₂ = 7 and −i₁ + 3i₂ = 1, with resistances in ohms and source rises in volts. The meshes share a 1 Ω resistor in opposite directions. The remaining resistances are 3 Ω in mesh one and 2 Ω in mesh two.

What is the total resistor heating power?

Organize the givens & assumptions
  • Mesh equations: 4i₁ − i₂ = 7; −i₁ + 3i₂ = 1
  • Shared resistor: 1 Ω
  • Unshared resistors: 3 Ω and 2 Ω

Settled lumped DC circuit, ideal connecting wires, positive constant Ohmic resistances and no changing external magnetic flux. Sources are ideal except for explicitly specified series resistances.

  1. A14 W14\ \mathrm W
  2. B15 W15\ \mathrm W
  3. C19 W19\ \mathrm W
  4. D23 W23\ \mathrm W

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