IB Physics 2015

Paper 2, Question 5
June 15, 2016
Problem 5. Part 2

f (i) - Determine the value of R for this circuit at which maximum power is delivered to the external
circuit.

0.1

Equivalent resistance

The equivalent resistance for the external circuit (outside the cell) can be found using:
1
1
1
=
+
Req
24 R
or

24R
R + 24
The total equivalent resistance RT including the internal resistance would then be:
Req =

RT = 11 +

24R
11R + 264 + 24R
35R + 264
=
=
R + 24
R + 24
R + 24

0.2

Power in external circuit

If we wanted to make the power calculation only for the external circuit, we could find the current in it.
From 12 = RT I :

1
R + 24
35R + 264
= 12
I = 12
R + 24
35R + 264
from which:
P = V I = Req I 2 = 122

24R
(R + 24)2
2
(35R + 264) (R + 24)

Simplifying:
P = 3 123

(R2 + 24R)
(35R + 264)2

What is the value of R for which P is maximum? We can find the derivative:
P0

6336 312R
(35R + 264)3

Concluding that the function P has its maximum at R = 6336/312 20.3.