Symmetry in circuits involving Resistors

Thread Starter

logearav

Joined Aug 19, 2011
243
Hello friends,
Find attached a problem involving symmetry in circuits involving resistors. Its been mentioned that by symmetry the current in part ab and ad will be equal.
The current i branches to part d, o and b at the same time. Then how could symmetry is applicable only in ad and ab not ao?
Scan_20151118.jpg
 

Thread Starter

logearav

Joined Aug 19, 2011
243
Hello friends,
Find attached a problem involving symmetry in circuits involving resistors. Its been mentioned that by symmetry the current in part ab and ad will be equal.
The current i branches to part d, o and b at the same time. Then how could symmetry is applicable only in ad and ab not ao?
View attachment 94870
Also please refer the following attachment too.
Why there is symmetry as mentioned?
Scan_20151118 (3).jpg
 

Thread Starter

logearav

Joined Aug 19, 2011
243
Well, look at those two branches. Is there any reason for the current in one to be different than the current in the other?
Thanks Mr.WBahn. By symmetry does it mean that the magnitude of current is same in every branch?
Yes, the resistances are of equal value.
 

WBahn

Joined Mar 31, 2012
30,055
Symmetry does not necessarily mean that the magnitude of the current is the same in every branch, just in those to which the particular symmetry argument applies.
 

Thread Starter

logearav

Joined Aug 19, 2011
243
Symmetry does not necessarily mean that the magnitude of the current is the same in every branch, just in those to which the particular symmetry argument applies.
Thanks. So what exactly symmetry means with respect to current, sir?
 

WBahn

Joined Mar 31, 2012
30,055
It means that there is no reason for the current in one resistor to be different than the other. The usual test for this is that you could swap the paths and nothing would change.
 
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