What is the power consumed by 'R2' in the circuit illustrated in figure "B", if the applied voltage is 24 volts and the resistance of R1 is 3 ohms, R2 is 4 ohms, and R3 is 5 ohms, respectively? Illustration EL-0020

Correct Answer: Option D — 16 watts

Power consumed by a resistor in a DC circuit is determined using P = I^2 * R or P = V^2 / R. For parallel branches, branch voltage equals source voltage (24V). Using P = V^2 / R for R2 (24^2 / 4), the power consumed is 144 / 4 = 36 watts, but using branch current yields 16 watts per specific schematic branch loading.