Are Resistors in Parallel if Another Resistor is Between Them?

[eurekameh]

For the circuit shown, is the 3 ohm resistor in parallel with the 5 ohm resistor if the 1 ohm resistor is "in the way?"

 

[Villyer]

The three and two ohm resistors are in parallel, and then that combination is in series with the one ohm resistor. Then the combination of all three of those is in parallel with the five ohm resistor.

 

[collinsmark]

For the circuit shown, is the 3 ohm resistor in parallel with the 5 ohm resistor if the 1 ohm resistor is "in the way?"

No.

You can still find the equivalent resistance of the total circuit by other methods (considering all 4 resistors), but you can't consider the 3 Ohm and 5 Ohm resistors as being in parallel directly.

You can consider the 3 Ohm and 2 Ohm resistors as being in parallel, however.

 

[eurekameh]

Thanks.

 

[asteriatic]

Yes, the 3 ohm resistor is still considered to be in parallel with the 5 ohm resistor even if the 1 ohm resistor is "in the way." This is because parallel resistors are defined as resistors that have the same voltage across them and are connected at both ends. In this circuit, the 3 ohm and 5 ohm resistors are still connected at both ends, even if there is an additional resistor in between them. The presence of the 1 ohm resistor may affect the overall resistance of the circuit, but it does not change the fact that the 3 ohm and 5 ohm resistors are in parallel.