Combining Resistors in Series & Parallel Video Lessons

Concept

# Problem: It's possible to estimate the percentage of fat in the body by measuring the resistance of the upper leg rather than the upper arm; the calculation is similar. A person's leg measures 40 cm between the knee and the hip, with an average leg diameter (ignoring bone and other poorly conducting tissue) of 12 cm. A potential difference of 0.78V causes a current of 1.6 mA. What are the fractions of muscle and fat in the leg? Express your answer using two significant figures separated by a comma.

###### FREE Expert Solution

The leg's resistance is found by:

$\overline{)\frac{\mathbf{1}}{{\mathbf{R}}_{\mathbf{r}}}{\mathbf{=}}\frac{\mathbf{1}}{\mathbf{V}}}$

The fraction of fat, ffat

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###### Problem Details

It's possible to estimate the percentage of fat in the body by measuring the resistance of the upper leg rather than the upper arm; the calculation is similar. A person's leg measures 40 cm between the knee and the hip, with an average leg diameter (ignoring bone and other poorly conducting tissue) of 12 cm. A potential difference of 0.78V causes a current of 1.6 mA. What are the fractions of muscle and fat in the leg? Express your answer using two significant figures separated by a comma.

What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?

Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the Combining Resistors in Series & Parallel concept. You can view video lessons to learn Combining Resistors in Series & Parallel. Or if you need more Combining Resistors in Series & Parallel practice, you can also practice Combining Resistors in Series & Parallel practice problems.

What professor is this problem relevant for?

Based on our data, we think this problem is relevant for Professor Pascuzzi's class at SUNY.