The voltage applied to two conductors of 20 ohms and 40 ohms connected in series is 120V.

The voltage applied to two conductors of 20 ohms and 40 ohms connected in series is 120V. Determine the current and voltage on each conductor.

Given:
R1 = 20 Ohm – resistance of the first conductor;
R2 = 40 Ohm – resistance of the second conductor;
U = 120 Volts – voltage throughout the entire circuit.
It is required to determine I1 and I2 (Amperes), U1 and U2 (Volts) – current and voltage on each conductor.
Let’s find the total resistance of the circuit section:
R = R1 + R2 = 20 + 40 = 60 ohms.
Since, according to the condition of the problem, the conductors are connected in series, the current strength on each conductor will be the same and equal to:
I = I1 = I2 = U / R = 120/60 = 2 Amps.
The voltage on the first conductor will be:
U1 = R1 * I = 20 * 2 = 40 Volts.
The voltage on the second conductor will be:
U2 = R2 * I = 40 * 2 = 80 Volts.
Answer: the current on each conductor is 2 Amperes, the voltage on the first conductor is 40 Volts, the voltage on the second conductor is 80 Volts.