A 12 V car battery dies not so much because its voltage drops but because chemical reactions increase its internal resistance. A good battery connected with jumper cables can both start the engine and recharge the dead battery. Consider the automotive circuit of FIGURE P28.64. How much current is the dead battery alone able to drive through the starter motor?
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Resistors and Ohm's Law
Problem 28a
Textbook Question
An idealized ammeter is connected to a battery as shown in Fig. E. Find the reading of the ammeter.


1
First, identify the components in the circuit: a battery with a voltage of 12.0 V, a resistor with a resistance of 16.8 Ω, and another resistor with a resistance of 12.0 Ω. The ammeter is connected in series with the 12.0 Ω resistor.
To find the reading of the ammeter, we need to calculate the current flowing through the circuit. Use Ohm's Law, which states that the current (I) is equal to the voltage (V) divided by the total resistance (R) in the circuit: I = V / R.
Calculate the total resistance in the circuit. Since the resistors are in series, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances: R_total = 16.8 Ω + 12.0 Ω.
Substitute the values into Ohm's Law: I = 12.0 V / R_total. This will give you the current flowing through the circuit, which is the reading of the ammeter.
Ensure that the units are consistent and check your calculations for any errors. The ammeter reading will be in amperes (A), which is the standard unit for current.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Ohm's Law
Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electronics and electrical engineering, stating that the current (I) through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the conductor. It is mathematically expressed as I = V/R. This law is essential for calculating the current in the circuit shown in the image.
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Series and Parallel Circuits
In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end, so the same current flows through each component. In a parallel circuit, components are connected across the same voltage source, allowing the current to divide among the paths. The circuit in the image is a series circuit, as the resistors and the ammeter are connected in a single loop, affecting how the total resistance and current are calculated.
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Ideal Ammeter
An ideal ammeter is a device used to measure the current flowing through a circuit. It is assumed to have zero resistance, meaning it does not affect the current it measures. In the given circuit, the ammeter is connected in series with the resistors, and its reading will be the same as the current flowing through the entire circuit, calculated using Ohm's Law.
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