The resistance of a wire cube Find the resistance between different pairs of vertices of a wire cube. 4) between the vertices on b) between the vertices onc) between two vertices the space diagonal the face diagonal oon one edge 4 6 We will denote the resistance of one edge as R. Hint 1 ‘What happens if you connect the vertices with the same potential? ‘Which vertices have the same potential? Hint 2 Analysis The voltage across the resistor equals to the potential difference between the terminals of the resistor. The potential at the vertex A has some given value. Our citcuit branches in that vertex. Thanks to the symmetry of the cube we know that the currents through some of the loops (edges starting from vertex A) are the same. This means that the voltage across them is the same, too (because theirs resistance is the same), and that the potential atthe ends of these edges is the same (the change of the potential from vertex A is the same). We can merge the vertices with the equal potential into one junction as there would not be any current through a conductor connecting such vertices (same potential = same voltage). This modification of the circuit changes neither the quality nor the whole resistance of it, We find the vertices with the same potential and merge them into one junction. Then we plot the circuit into plane and supplement each conductor with a resistor with resistance R. Using the rules for calculations of the resistance of circuits connected in parallel and in series we cakulate the total resistance of the cube, Solution of part a) - Finding the resistance between the vertices on the space diagonal In this circuit the edges BA, BC and BF are equivalent, the current through them isthe same, Therefore, the vertices A, C and F have the same potential. ‘The resistance of the whole cube is not changed by merging these vertices into one. ‘The same situation holds for vertices D, E and G. Let us merge the vertices A, C and F (D, E and G) into one junction, redraw the circuit into the plane and supplement each cube’s edge with a resistor. The resistance of each edge is R. r c 1 (0G) (ace ee R “SY R, R ‘The resistance R; between the junctions H and (DEG) and the resistance Ry between the junctions (ACF) and B are equal to the resistance of three resistors R connected in parallel, The resistance R3 between the junctions (DEG) and (ACF) is equal to the resistance of six resistors R connected in parallel. 1 R3 Rg ‘The resistors Ry, Ry and Ry are in series connection. Thus the total resistance of the cube between the vertices H and B is I lps malo Ryp = Ry+Ry+Rg = 2848 5 Rup =5R Solution of the part b) - Finding the resistance between the vertices on the face diagonal In this circuit the vertices A and F (D and G) are equivalent, their potential is the same. The resistance of the whole cube is not changed by merging these vertices, into one. Let us merge the vertices A and F (D and G) into one junction, redraw the circuit into plane and supplement each cube edge with a resistor. The resistance of each edge is R.5 4 o— E+ (AF) 4} B— H+} (D6) +—>—-€ es Rx Let us supplement each loop consisting of two resistors 2 in parallel connection as a single resistor whose resistance Ry i: 1 1 ii Ri = RtR R R=49 Let us simplify the sketch of the circuit: a a (ar) <3 —__ n__.. Le 09) Due to the symmetry of the circuit there is no current through the resistor between the junctions (AF) and (DG). The junctions (AF) and (DG) have the same potential. Thus we can omit this resistor from our nest calculations. Let us now consider each loop consisting of two resistors R in serial connection as a single resistor whose resistance Ry is Ry = R4+R=8+R=iR And we redraw the circuit once more: eg & Rp i G EE 2 x Now we have a circuit consisting of two resistors R; connected in series. Each resistor Ry is composed of the resistors R, and Ry in parallel connection, Remember that Ry = %, Ro = 3, We determine the resistance Ry from: Dot i _ tk Ra~ RyTR,~ Riko