A flashlight is operated on four batteries placed in series. Each battery has an internal resistance r. If one of the batteries is accidentally placed the wrong way around, the total internal resistance of the four cells will now be
If one of the batteries is accidentally placed the wrong way around, the total internal resistance of the four cells will increase.
When batteries are placed in series, their internal resistances add up. Therefore, the total internal resistance of the four cells is:
Rtotal = r + r + r + r = 4r
When one of the batteries is placed the wrong way around, it becomes a short circuit, and its internal resistance becomes effectively zero. So the total internal resistance of the four cells will now be:
Rtotal = r + r + r + 0 = 3r
Therefore, the total internal resistance of the four cells will decrease when one of the batteries is accidentally placed the wrong way around.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
If one of the batteries is accidentally placed the wrong way around, the total internal resistance of the four cells will increase.
When batteries are placed in series, their internal resistances add up. Therefore, the total internal resistance of the four cells is:
Rtotal = r + r + r + r = 4r
When one of the batteries is placed the wrong way around, it becomes a short circuit, and its internal resistance becomes effectively zero. So the total internal resistance of the four cells will now be:
Rtotal = r + r + r + 0 = 3r
Therefore, the total internal resistance of the four cells will decrease when one of the batteries is accidentally placed the wrong way around.