85 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

5.1 KIRCHOFF’S RULES

Kirchoff’s current law (KCL)

It states that at any junction point, the sum of all currents entering the junction must equal the
sum of all currents leaving the junction.

ΣI in = ΣI out

Exercise 5.1

Figure 5.1

For the path current shown in Figure 4.1, calculate the values of the current of I1, I2, I3 ,
I4 and I5

Kirchoff’s voltage law (KVL)

It states that, the sum of the changes in potential around any closed path of a circuit must be
zero.

ΣV = 0

Current always flows from high to low potential through a resistor. As one traces through a
resistor in the direction of the current, the potential change is negative because it is a potential
drop.

Once yau either know or assume the direction of current, label the resistors with a sign a +ve
on the side at which current enters and a –ve sign on the side at which current emerges.

PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang

86 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

The positive terminal of a pure emf source is always the high potential terminal, independent
of the direction of the current through the emf source. Label all voltage sources with +ve sign
on the high side and –ve sign on the low side.

Example 5.1

Find the currents in the circuit shown in Figure 5.2.

Figure 5.2
Solution

At first you must label all the signs of voltage drops on each resistor and emf source in
the Figure 5.2.

We apply Kirchoff’s first or junction rule at point B

I1 + I2 + I3 = 0 (I)

Next we apply the loop rule to loop ADBA

-7I1 + 6.0 + 4.0 = 0 or I1 = 1.43A

We then apply the loop rule to loop ABCA

-4.0 – 8.0 + 5I2 = 0 or I2 = 2.40A

We return to equation (I) to find

I3 = -I1 – I2 = -3.8A

The minus sign tells us that I3 is opposite in direction to that shown in Figure.

PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang

 87 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

Exercise 5.2

Find the currents in the circuit shown in Figure 5.3.

Figure 5.3

5.2 POTENTIAL RISE AND POTENTIAL DROP IN A LOOP

5.2.1 Determining potential rise or drop

Potential V Potential
rise rise

(a) (b)

Figure 5.4

A) Through battery or dc source

Refer to Figure 5.4(a). If we move from the negative terminal to the positive terminal through
a battery of emf ε, we will encounter a potential rise of emf ε.

B) Through resistor

When a current flows through a resistor of resistance R, a potential difference of V volt,

where V=IR will be produced across the resistor. Refer to Figure 5.4(b). if we move through
the resistor in a direction which is opposite to the direction of current flow, we will encounter
a potential rise of V volt.

PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang

88 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

Example 5.2

From the Figure 5.5, neglect the internal resistance of the batteries. Determine the
electric potential at G if
(a) B is earthed (b) C is earthed

A 2Ω B 2Ω C

3V 6V 9V
G

1Ω 3Ω 1Ω

F E D

Figure 5.5

Solution

At firstRefer
(a) you to thefind
must circuit
thebetween
currents B
I ,and G. IMove from G to B. We will encounter two
I and
1 2 3
voltages. They produce the potential difference given by
We apply Kirchoff’s first or junction rule at point B
3V
I1 + I2 - I 3 = 0 I1 2Ω
I1 = I3 - I2 (I)
Next we apply the loop ruleGto loop ABEFA B
-2 I1 - 6 + 3I 2 - I1 + 3 = 0
- 3I1 + 3I 2 = 3 ∆VGB = 3 + ( −2 I1)
- I1 + I 2 = 1 = 3 − 2(1)
(II)
We then apply the loop rule to loop ABCA =1 V
−2 I 3 + 9 − I 3 − 3I 2 + 6 = 0
If B is earthed, then VB = 0
-3 I 2 − 3 I3 = −V15
B − VG = 1

I 2 + I3 = 5 VG =(III)
0 −1
(I) in (II) = −1 V
− I3 + 2 I 2 = 1
(b) Refer to the circuit between C and G. Move from G to C. We will encounter three
From (III)
voltages. They + I3 = 5 the potential difference given by
I 2 produce
By using matrix method, we get
 2 −1  I32V  1 
    = I1  2Ω
 1 1   I3   5 
I3 2Ω

G B C
I 2 = 2 A, I3 = 3 A
Substitute I 2 = 2 A and I 3 = 3 A∆Vin equation (I)
GC = 3 + ( −2 I1 ) + ( −2 I 3 )
I1 = 1A = 3 − 2(1) − 2(3)
= −5 V

If C is earthed, then VC = 0
VC − VG = −5
VG = 0Pulau
PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM + 5 Pinang
=5V
89 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang

90 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

Tutorial 5.1

1. Consider the circuit sketched in Figure 5.6, what is the magnitude and direction
of electric current.

3V

10 Ω 8Ω

12 V

Figure 5.6

(Answer : 0.5A, counterclockwise )

2. Find the current in the circuit shown in Figure 5.7.

7Ω 8Ω

4V
I1 I3 I2

6V 8V

Figure 5.7

(Answer : I1 = 1.43A, I2 = 2.4 A, I3 = - 3.8A )

PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang

3.
91 From the Figure 5.8, find CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
(a) I1, I2 and I3
(b) Potential at point F if point B was grounded.

12 V 10 V

4Ω
I1 I2
I3

8Ω 4Ω

Figure 5.8

(Answer : -1.7A, 2.1A, -0.4A, + 8.4V )

4. (a) In the Figure 5.9, if the current through R1 is 5 A up and if the current
through R3 is 3 A up, what is the current in R2 if the switch S is closed?

(b) If R1 = 6 Ω , R2 = 8 Ω , R3 = 2 Ω , ε 1 = 4 V, and ε 2 = 14 V and the switch S is

closed
(i) what is the current in R2 ?
(ii) Find the voltage drops across the resistors in the circuit?

(c) If R1 = 6.0 Ω , R2 = 8.0 Ω , R3 = 2.0 Ω , ε 1 = 4.0 V, and ε 2 = 14 V, what is

the
current flows in the circuit if S is open?

Figure 5.9
(Answer a) 8 A, b) i) 1A, ii) V1= 12V, V2 = 8 V, V3 =6V c) 28/8 A)

5. From Figure 5.10, calculate the current in the circuit if R1 = 2 Ω , R2 = 1 Ω , R3 = 1

Ω , R4 = 1 Ω , E1 = 2 V and E2 = 5 V. Determine the potential differences between
point B and U. APR 2009

E1
PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang B

R1
Figure 5.10 R4
Figure 5.11
 U
R2 R3
E2
92 CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

(Answer : -3.2 V)

6. From the Figure 5.11, find I1, I2 and I3

APR 2009

(Answer : 0.68 A, 0.44 A, 0.22 A)

PHY 193 Physics For Engineering II UiTM Pulau Pinang