Question Part Points Submissions Used SolutionFor a circuit

Solution

For a circuit with an emf device, the two terminals of the device are the the potential difference equal to the maximum voltage difference the cell can provide.

Further, any two points in the circuit are at the same potential if they are connected and do not have any current flowing between them.

Now as for the given circuit, as the switch remains open, it can be said that the two terminals have a potential difference of 23 Volts. Also, the points on the left will be on same potential with respect to each other; same can be said for the points on the right. Using this reasoning we can determine the required values as follows:

a.) Vb - Va = 23 Volts [The positive terminal of the battery is at higher potential]

b.) Vc - Vb = 0 Volts [No current flows between the two points]

c.) Vd - Vc = -23 Volts [d would be at the same potential as a and c would be at same potential as b, however, a would be at lower potential then b, hence comes the negative sign]

d.) Va - Vd = 0 [No current flows between them.]