Net effect of two sources with opposing voltages is determined primarily by

Net effect of two sources with opposing voltages is determined primarily by

• A. The difference in voltages and the total resistance
• B. The sum of voltages
• C. The number of sources
• D. The orientation

Answer: (A)

When two voltage sources oppose each other, the driving force in the circuit is the difference between their voltages. The current that results is this net voltage (the difference) divided by the total resistance in the path. So the net effect is determined by how much the voltages differ and how much resistance the current must pass through. The sum would only apply if they were aiding, and simply knowing how many sources or their orientation isn’t enough without the actual voltages to define the difference.

When two voltage sources oppose each other, the driving force in the circuit is the difference between their voltages. The current that results is this net voltage (the difference) divided by the total resistance in the path. So the net effect is determined by how much the voltages differ and how much resistance the current must pass through. The sum would only apply if they were aiding, and simply knowing how many sources or their orientation isn’t enough without the actual voltages to define the difference.