3.20 (a) Given n resistors each of resistance R, how will you combine them to get the (i) maximum (ii) minimum effective resistance? What is the ratio of the maximum to minimum resistance?

Given the resistances of 1Ω, 2Ω, 3Ω, how will we combine them to get an equivalent resistance of (i) (11/3) Ω (ii) (11/5) Ω, (iii) (6/11) Ω?

(c) Determine the equivalent resistance of networks shows in figure.


(a) Total number of resistors=n
Resistance of each resistor=R
(i) When n resistors are connected in series, effective resistance R1 is the maximum, given by the product nR.
Hence, maximum resistance of the combination, R1=nR
(ii) When n resistors are connected in parallel, the effective resistance (R2) is the minimum, given by the ration R/n.
Hence, minimum resistance of the combination, R2=Rn.
(iii) The ratio of the maximum to the minimum resistance is, R1R2=nRRn=n2
(b) The resistance of the given resistors is,
R1=1 Ω, R2=2 Ω, R3=3 Ω
i. Equivalent resistance R=113Ω
Consider the following combination of the resistors.
Equivalent resistance is given by,
R'=2×12+1+3=23+3=113Ω
ii. Equivalent resistance R=115Ω
Consider the following combination of the resistors.
Equivalent resistance is given by,
R'=2×32+3+1=65+1=115Ω
iii. Equivalent resistance R'=6Ω
Consider the following combination of the resistors.
Equivalent resistance is given by,
R'=1+2+3=6 Ω
iV. Equivalent resistance R=611Ω
Consider the following combination of the resistors.
Equivalent resistance is given by,
R'=1×2×31×+2×3+3×1=611 Ω
(c) (a) It can be observed from the given circuit that in the first small loop, two resistors of resistance 1 Ω each are connected in series.
Hence, their equivalent resistance = (1+1) = 2 Ω
It can also be observed that two resistors of resistance 2 Ω each are connected in series.
Hence, their equivalent resistance=(2+2)=4 Ω.
Therefore, the circuit can be redrawn as
It can be observed that 2 Ω and 4 Ω resistors are connected in parallel in all the four loops.
Hence, equivalent resistance (R') of each loop is given by,
R'=2×42+4=86=43Ω
The circuit reduces to
All the four resistors are connected in series.
Hence, equivalent resistance of the given circuit is 43×4=163Ω
(b) It can be observed from the given circuit that five resistors of resistance R each are connected in series. Hence, equivalent resistance of the circuit=R+R+R+R+R=5R