Ratio of thermal energy released in two resistors and connected in parallel in an electric circuit is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Ratio of thermal energy released in two resistors and connected in parallel in an electric circuit is:
Correct answer:D
Standard Method
Given: Two resistors and are connected in parallel.
Find: The ratio of thermal energy released in them.
For resistors in parallel, the potential difference across each resistor is the same. The power dissipated is
So for ,
and for ,
Therefore,
Since thermal energy released in the same time is proportional to power, the ratio of thermal energy is .
The solution working gives , although the solution's marks the correct option as D. Based on the solution, the defensible answer corresponds to option A.
Using series-circuit logic here is incorrect because these resistors are connected in parallel, so the voltage across each resistor is the same. Use for parallel comparison.
Comparing resistance directly instead of inversely is wrong. In parallel, power dissipation varies inversely with resistance, so the smaller resistor releases more thermal energy.
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