An infinite number of resistors are connected in parallel. If \(R_{1}=10 \Omega, R_{2}=10^{2} \Omega, R_{3}=10^{3} \Omega,\) and so on, show that \(R_{e q}=9 \Omega\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The equivalent resistance of the infinite parallel resistors circuit is 9Ω.

Step by step solution

01

Write the formula for resistors in parallel

The formula for the equivalent resistance of resistors in parallel is given by: \( \frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3} + \cdots \)
02

Substitute the given values

Given that \(R_1 = 10\Omega\), \(R_2 = 10^2\Omega\), \(R_3 = 10^3\Omega\), and so on, we can rewrite the formula as: \( \frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{1}{10} + \frac{1}{10^2} + \frac{1}{10^3} + \cdots \)
03

Recognize the geometric series

The given series is a geometric series with a first term \(a = \frac{1}{10}\) and a common ratio \(r = \frac{1}{10}\). To find the sum of an infinite geometric series, we can use the formula: \( S = \frac{a}{1 - r} \)
04

Calculate the sum of the infinite geometric series

Applying the formula for the sum of an infinite geometric series to our problem, we have: \( S = \frac{\frac{1}{10}}{1 - \frac{1}{10}} = \frac{\frac{1}{10}}{\frac{9}{10}} = \frac{1}{9} \)
05

Find the equivalent resistance

We know that the sum of the geometric series is equal to the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance: \( \frac{1}{R_{eq}} = S = \frac{1}{9} \) To find \(R_{eq}\), take the reciprocal of the sum: \( R_{eq} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{9}} = 9\Omega \) Therefore, the equivalent resistance of the infinite parallel resistors circuit is 9Ω.

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