A regular hexagon is formed by six wires each of resistance r and the corners are joined to the centre by wires of same resistance. If the current enters at one corner and leaves at the opposite corner, the equivalent resistance of the hexagon between the two opposite corners will be
- 35r
- 45r
- 58r
- 34r
Answer
(2) 45r
Solution
Let the current enter at A and leave at D (every wire has resistance r).
[figure]
Take VA = V and VD = 0. By symmetry about AD, VB = VF = x and VC = VE = y.
By the antisymmetry of the network about the perpendicular bisector of AD: VO = V2 and y = V - x
KCL at B (neighbours A, C, O): (V - x) + (y - x) + ( V2 - x ) = 0
V - x + V - x - x + V2 - x = 0
4x = 5V2 x = 5V8
Current leaving A: I = V - xr 2 + V - V/2r
I = 2r 3V8 + V2r = 3V4r + V2r = 5V4r
Req = VI = 45r
Answer: (2)