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Old 04-28-2012, 10:52 AM   #1
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Default CBT 11 Passage 5

I'm a little confused about the wording of this question:


Here's the diagram:


I used the formula: V=IR to solve the problem, but since the question stated to "assume that the resistance in the circuit is negligible compared to that of the lightbulb," I just did V=I, leading to me to answer choice C.

What are they trying say by "assume that the resistance in the circuit is negligible compared to that of the lightbulb?"
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Old 04-29-2012, 12:25 AM   #2
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Bump.... did everyone else really understand the implied meaning of negligible'?

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Old 04-29-2012, 10:57 PM   #3
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I forgot that the circuit, itself, can have some resistance (though it's negligible), so the question was reiterating that the resistance in the circuit, compared to that of the light bulb, is negligible...which should be assumed from usual, practical application.
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Old 04-29-2012, 11:11 PM   #4
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They're saying to assume that the only resistance in the circuit is due to the lightbulb; that all other sources of resistance (the wire) are negligible. This is the basic assumption with all circuit questions unless stated otherwise.
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