Two 6.0 ohm resistors are connected in parallel, and this pair is in series with a 3.0 ohm resistor across a 12 V battery. What is the battery current?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 2.0 A

  1. Step 1: Parallel pair: 1/R = 1/6 + 1/6 = 1/3, so R = 3.0 ohm. Step 2. Total R = 3.0 + 3.0 = 6.0 ohm. Step 3. I = V/R = 12 / 6.0 = 2.0 A. Answer: 2.0 A. Why not the others: adding all three gives the series value, 4.0 A ignores the parallel pair, and 1.2 A treats parallel resistors as if they were in series.

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