Load Changes the Node - Electronic Circuits II Step by Step

A load resistor changes the divider because it becomes a real branch in the circuit topology. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

The load becomes a parallel branch

The bottom resistor and the load are both 6 ohm, so their parallel equivalent is 3 ohm.

R_{\text{lower loaded}} = 3\ \text{ohm}

The output current splits exactly

The source current is 2 amperes. At the output node, it splits into 1 ampere through the bottom resistor and 1 ampere through the load.

1\ \text{A} + 1\ \text{A} = 2\ \text{A}

The loaded output is lower

The loaded output voltage is 6 volts.

V_{\text{out loaded}} = 6\ \text{V}