IPhO 1981 · Theory problem 2

Lamp fed through a rheostat from an accumulator

An electric lamp of resistance \(R_0 = 2\ \Omega\) working at nominal voltage \(U_0 = 4.5\ \mathrm{V}\) is connected to accumulator of electromotive force E = 6 V and negligible internal resistance.

  1. The nominal voltage of the lamp is ensured as the lamp is connected potentiometrically to the accumulator using a rheostat with resistance \(R\). What should be the resistance \(R\) and what is the maximal electric current \(I_{\max}\), flowing in the rheostat, if the efficiency of the system must not be smaller than \(\eta_0 = 0.6\)?

  2. What is the maximal possible efficiency \(\eta\) of the system and how the lamp can be connected to the rheostat in this case?

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  1. The total rheostat resistance must satisfy \[ \boxed{R\ge R_{\min}=8.53\ \Omega.} \] The maximum current in a rheostat section under the specified nominal operation is \[ \boxed{I_{\max}=2.81\ \mathrm{A}.} \] At the limiting design, the rheostat sections are \(8.00\ \Omega\) in parallel with the lamp and \(0.533\ \Omega\) in series with that parallel combination.

  2. The maximum efficiency is \[ \boxed{\eta_{\max}=0.75=75\%.} \] Connect the lamp in series with an active rheostat resistance \[ \boxed{R_{\mathrm{series}}=\frac23\ \Omega\approx0.667\ \Omega,} \] using the slider and one end terminal; leave the other end terminal unconnected.

Solution

We consider steady direct current, neglect the resistance of connecting wires, and use the given lamp resistance at its nominal operating point. The system efficiency is the electrical power delivered to the lamp divided by the power supplied by the accumulator: \[ \eta=\frac{P_{\mathrm{lamp}}}{P_{\mathrm{source}}}. \]

1. Potentiometer connection

Connect the two ends of the rheostat across the accumulator and connect the lamp between the slider and the negative terminal. Denote the two rheostat sections by:

  • \(R_{\mathrm{s}}\): between the positive terminal and the slider;
  • \(R_{\mathrm{p}}\): between the slider and the negative terminal, in parallel with the lamp.

Thus, \[ R=R_{\mathrm{s}}+R_{\mathrm{p}}. \]

At nominal lamp voltage, Ohm’s law gives the lamp current \[ I_0=\frac{U_0}{R_0}=\frac{4.5}{2}=2.25\ \mathrm{A}. \] The current in the parallel rheostat section is \[ I_{\mathrm{p}}=\frac{U_0}{R_{\mathrm{p}}}. \] By Kirchhoff’s current law, the current through the series section, also the accumulator current, is \[ I=I_0+I_{\mathrm{p}}. \] It is therefore the larger of the currents in the two rheostat sections.

The lamp power is \[ P_{\mathrm{lamp}}=U_0I_0=\frac{U_0^2}{R_0} =10.125\ \mathrm{W}. \] Consequently, \[ \eta=\frac{U_0I_0}{EI}\ge\eta_0 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad I\le\frac{U_0I_0}{E\eta_0}. \] The largest permitted rheostat current is therefore \[ \boxed{I_{\max} =\frac{4.5\times2.25}{6\times0.6} =2.8125\ \mathrm{A}\approx2.81\ \mathrm{A}.} \]

The voltage across \(R_{\mathrm{s}}\) is \(E-U_0\), while that across \(R_{\mathrm{p}}\) is \(U_0\). Hence \[ R_{\mathrm{s}}=\frac{E-U_0}{I}, \qquad R_{\mathrm{p}}=\frac{U_0}{I-I_0}, \] and \[ R=\frac{E-U_0}{I}+\frac{U_0}{I-I_0}. \] Both terms decrease as \(I\) increases for \(I>I_0\). Thus the smallest total resistance compatible with the efficiency requirement occurs at \(I=I_{\max}\), where \(\eta=\eta_0\).

At this limiting point, \[ I_{\mathrm{p}}=2.8125-2.25=0.5625\ \mathrm{A}, \] so \[ R_{\mathrm{p}}=\frac{4.5}{0.5625}=8.00\ \Omega, \qquad R_{\mathrm{s}}=\frac{6-4.5}{2.8125}=0.5333\ldots\ \Omega. \] Therefore, \[ \boxed{R_{\min}=8.00+0.5333\ldots=8.53\ \Omega.} \]

Larger total resistances also satisfy the requirement when the slider is adjusted to maintain \(U_0\); they draw less shunt current and give greater efficiency.

2. Maximum possible efficiency

At nominal voltage, the lamp must receive the fixed current \(I_0\). With a passive resistive connection, the accumulator current cannot be smaller than \(I_0\); any additional parallel branch draws extra current. Therefore, \[ \eta=\frac{U_0I_0}{EI_{\mathrm{source}}} \le\frac{U_0}{E}. \] Equality is achieved when the accumulator supplies only the lamp current, which requires a series connection: \[ \boxed{\eta_{\max}=\frac{4.5}{6}=0.75=75\%.} \]

The active rheostat section must drop the excess voltage \(E-U_0=1.5\ \mathrm{V}\) while carrying \(I_0=2.25\ \mathrm{A}\): \[ \boxed{R_{\mathrm{series}} =\frac{E-U_0}{I_0} =\frac{1.5}{2.25} =\frac23\ \Omega\approx0.667\ \Omega.} \]

Connect the accumulator, lamp, and this rheostat section in one series loop. Use one end terminal and the slider, leaving the other end terminal unconnected.

The solution was checked against the official solution. Where this solution differs from the official solution, the official solution contains an error or a misprint.