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title: "In the circuit shown, an ideal battery of electromotive force \\(\\mathcal{E}\\) is connected in series with a resistor \\(R_1\\) and a parallel combination of two branches. One branch contains resistor \\(R_2\\), and the other branch contains resistor \\(R_3\\) in series with an open switch \\(S\\). Node \\(P\\) is located between resistor \\(R_1\\) and the parallel combination, and the negative terminal of the battery is connected to ground (\\(V = 0\\)). Which row in the table correctly describes the changes in the electric potential at node \\(P\\), the current through resistor \\(R_2\\), and the total power dissipated by the circuit after switch \\(S\\) is closed?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121577/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T05:24:07+00:00"
---

# In the circuit shown, an ideal battery of electromotive force \(\mathcal{E}\) is connected in series with a resistor \(R_1\) and a parallel combination of two branches. One branch contains resistor \(R_2\), and the other branch contains resistor \(R_3\) in series with an open switch \(S\). Node \(P\) is located between resistor \(R_1\) and the parallel combination, and the negative terminal of the battery is connected to ground (\(V = 0\)). Which row in the table correctly describes the changes in the electric potential at node \(P\), the current through resistor \(R_2\), and the total power dissipated by the circuit after switch \(S\) is closed?

In the circuit shown, an ideal battery of electromotive force \(\mathcal{E}\) is connected in series with a resistor \(R_1\) and a parallel combination of two branches. One branch contains resistor \(R_2\), and the other branch contains resistor \(R_3\) in series with an open switch \(S\). Node \(P\) is located between resistor \(R_1\) and the parallel combination, and the negative terminal of the battery is connected to ground (\(V = 0\)). Which row in the table correctly describes the changes in the electric potential at node \(P\), the current through resistor \(R_2\), and the total power dissipated by the circuit after switch \(S\) is closed?

![A rectangular schematic circuit diagram. On the left vertical wire, an ideal battery is oriented vertically with its longer positive plate on top and shorter negative plate on the bottom, labeled \(\mathcal{E}\). The top wire extends horizontally to the right through a resistor labeled \(R_1\). Immediately to the right of resistor \(R_1\) is a solid dot labeled \(P\). From node \(P\), the top wire splits into two parallel vertical branches: the first vertical branch contains a resistor labeled \(R_2\); the second vertical branch, further to the right, contains a resistor labeled \(R_3\) in series above an open switch labeled \(S\). Both vertical branches connect at the bottom to a common horizontal return wire leading back to the negative terminal of the battery. A standard ground symbol is attached to the bottom wire directly below the battery. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787462647-T238Dj.jpg)

- **A.** Potential at node \(P\): Increases | Current through \(R_2\): Increases | Total power dissipated: Increases
- **B.** Potential at node \(P\): Decreases | Current through \(R_2\): Decreases | Total power dissipated: Increases
- **C.** Potential at node \(P\): Decreases | Current through \(R_2\): Decreases | Total power dissipated: Decreases
- **D.** Potential at node \(P\): Stays the same | Current through \(R_2\): Stays the same | Total power dissipated: Increases

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121577/*