Cubical Resistor Network Simulation
This interactive simulation demonstrates Example 3.6, showing current distribution in a cubical network of 12 identical resistors.
Simulation
Current in Each Resistor:
Equivalent Resistance Calculation:
\[ \varepsilon = \frac{5}{2}IR \]
\[ R_{eq} = \frac{\varepsilon}{3I} = \frac{5}{6}R \]
For \( R = 1 \Omega \), \( R_{eq} = \frac{5}{6} \Omega \)
Solution to Example 3.6
The network is not reducible to simple series and parallel combinations of resistors. We exploit the symmetry in the problem:
The paths AA', AD and AB are symmetrically placed. Current in each must be the same (I).
At corners A', B and D, the incoming current I splits equally into two outgoing branches (I/2).
Applying Kirchhoff's second rule to loop ABCC'EA:
\[ -IR - \frac{1}{2}IR - IR + \varepsilon = 0 \]
\[ \varepsilon = \frac{5}{2}IR \]
Equivalent resistance:
\[ R_{eq} = \frac{\varepsilon}{3I} = \frac{5}{6}R \]
For \( R = 1 \Omega \), \( R_{eq} = \frac{5}{6} \Omega \)
For \( \varepsilon = 10 \) V, total current \( 3I = \frac{10}{5/6} = 12 \) A
Thus, \( I = 4 \) A and branch currents are as shown.