An infinite ladde

Concepts/Formula used:
Resistors in Series:

Resistors in parallel:

Ohm’s Law:

Potential Difference (V) across a resistor of resistance R when current I passes through it is given by Ohm’s law:

(a)

Let the equivalent resistance between A and B be r_eq Ω .

This means that we can rewrite the circuit as:

Where r_eq has replaced the following infinite combination:

We can redraw the infinite circuit as

Note that de and cb are in parallel. The equivalent resistance is given by:

Now, the 1 Ω resistor and r’_eq are in series.

Rearranging and dropping the subscript, we get a quadratic equation:

The roots of this equation are 2 and -1. As resistance can’t the negative the equivalent resistance between A and B is 2 Ω.

(b)

Let the net current be 2I. This current passes through the 1 Ω resistor. Than splits up equally due to symmetry as there are two 2Ω resistors.

Now,

Hence, the current passing through the nearest 2 Ω resistor is 1.5A.