解:(1)开关s接“1”时,变阻器的滑片在a端时的等效电路图如图1所示,电阻R1的阻值为:R1= U2 P1 = (12)2 8 =18Ω;(2)开关s接“2”时,变阻器的滑片在b端时的等效电路图如图2所示,电路电流为:I= U R1+R2+R = 12 18+32+10 =0.2A,R1和R2的总功率为:P=I2(R1+R2)=(0.2A)2×(18Ω+32Ω)=2W;答:(1)R1的阻值为18Ω;(2)R1和R2的总功率是2W.