Question

Three wires meet at a junction. Wire 1 has a current of 0.40 A into the junction. The current of wire 2 is 0.65 A out of the junction. Part A What is the magnitude of the current in wire 3?

Answer 1

Answer:

The current in wire 3 is 0.25 A.

Explanation:

It is given that, three wires meet at a junction.

Current in wire 1, I₁ = 0.4 A

Current in wire 2, I₂ = -0.65 A  (out of the junction)

We need to find the magnitude of the current in wire 3 (I₃). Applying Kirchhoff's current law which states that the sum of current in the circuit at a junction is equal to zero.

$I_1+I_2+I_3=0$

$I_3=-(I_2+I_1)$

$I_3=-(-0.65+0.4)\ A$

I₃ = 0.25 A

So, the current in wire 3 is 0.25 A. Hence, this is the required solution.