Natalia G.

asked • 01/28/18

If the battery in the circuit is a 9 v battery. How many volts is each light bulb getting?

Multiple choice is: A. 3 volts B.4.5 volts C. 9 volts D. 0 volts

Arturo O.

Student,
 
More information is needed to answer this question.
 
(1)  How many bulbs are there?  Note Philips's explanation.
 
(2)  How are the bulbs connected?  Note Philips's explanation.  I suppose there is a picture associated with this question, which we tutors do not have access to.
 
(3)  Are the bulbs identical?  For example, if 2 bulbs connected in series have different resistances, they will have the same current, but not the same voltage.
 
This kind of information needs to be included in the problem statement.
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01/28/18

1 Expert Answer

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Philip P. answered • 01/28/18

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If there is one light bulb, the answer is C, 9 volts.  If there are two light bulbs in series, the answer is B, 4.5 volts.  If there are 3 light bulbs in series, the answer would be A, 3 volts.  The answer, obviously, depends on the number of light bulbs and how they are arranged in the circuit (parallel vs. series).
 
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Natalia G.

Thank you!!
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01/28/18

Sara S.

Why in a series would be 3-volts? Since it is in series the first lightbulb would not receive 9? 3-volt would be in a parallel circuit, isn't it?
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03/17/20

Philip P.

No, Sara, it's just the opposite. Each parallel path in a parallel circuit gets the full voltage of the source; so if there are three light bulbs in parallel, they each get 9V. If the three bulbs are in series, they each get 3V. The total voltage in a series circuit across all loads (bulbs) must equal the voltage of the source, so 3V x 3 bulbs = 9V.
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03/20/20

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