KIRCHHOFFS LAWS

(Gustav Robert Kirchhoff 1824 87)

Ohms law can be used to analyze simple circuits. Circuits consisting of
resistors and sources connected in a complicated way, which cannot be reduced to
series and parallel circuits can be analyzed using the laws
formulated by Kirchhoff. These laws are applicable to
both D.C. and A.C. circuits.
Node or junction is a point in a network where more than
two conductors meet.
Electrical network is a combination of various
circuit elements and sources of emf connected in a
complicated manner.
Mesh or loop is a closed path for current in a
network.

Kirchhoffs law:
I Law (Kirchhoffs current law KCL)
At any electrical junction or electrical node, the total current entering the
junction is equal to the total current leaving the
junction.
I4
I1
OR
I2
At any electrical junction, the algebraic sum of the
current is zero.
I5
I
3
Illustration: Let I1,I2 and I3 be the currents entering an
electrical junction. Let I4 and I5 be the currents leaving
the junction. Then by Kirchhoffs first law,
I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 0 I 0
This is implies that the total charge entering a junction or node at any instant will be
equal to the total charge leaving the node at that instant, i.e. charges do not
accumulate at any node.
This is nothing but the law of conservation of charge.
II Law (Kirchhoffs Voltage Law KVL): In any closed circuit or closed
A

I1

E1
B
R2

R1

R3

I1
C

I3

I2
R5

R4
I2
E

E2
F

network or mesh or current loop, the algebraic sum

of the emfs is equal to the sum of the products of
the current and the resistances in the different parts
of the loop.
i.e E IR , this is the law of conservation of
energy.
Illustration: Consider a network (circuit) as
shown.
Applying Kirchhoffs II Law,
For ADCBA, I1r1 I1R1 I3R 3 I1R 2 E1
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For EDCFEE, I2r2 I2R 4 I3R 3 I2R 5 E 2

Like this, as many equations as possible are developed and such equations are solved
for the unknown quantities. While considering the equations, a suitable sign
convention is used for the currents and emfs. Thus a complicated circuit can be
analyzed.

Wheastones network:
Wheatstones network consists of four resistances connected to form a quadrilateral.
One pair diagonally opposite vertices is connected to a cell or battery and a key in
series. The other pair of vertices is connected by a suitable sensitive galvanometer.
Let P, Q, R and S be the four resistances connected to form the quadrilateral ABCD
as shown. Let A and B be connected to a cell or battery and a key in series. Let C and
D be connected to a sensitive galvanometer of resistance G.
Let the main current I from the cell branch out as I1 and I 2 through P and R
respectively. Let a current I g flow from C to D. Then the current through Q is I1 Ig
and the current through S is I2 Ig . The current recombine at B and the main current
I flows back to the source.
Applying Kirchhoffs Voltage Law for the
closed circuit ACDA,
I1P IgG I2R 0 ......(1)
(Anticlockwise current is taken as negative)
Applying Kirchhoffs Voltage law for the closed
Circuit CBDC
(I1 Ig )Q IgG (I2 Ig )S 0.....(2)
It is possible to adjust the values of P, Q,
R and S Such that the galvanometer shows a
null deflection. This means there will be no
current
through the galvanometer. That is Ig 0 .This is possible only when the points C and
D are at the same potential. In such a set up, the network is said to be balanced. At
balance Ig 0 .
From (1) I1P I2R 0 I1P I2R.....(3)

From (2) I1Q I2S 0 I1Q I2S.....(4)

(3)
P R

. This is the condition for balance in a Wheatstones network.

(4)
Q S
P, Q, R and S are called the ratio arms or ratio elements.

A balanced Wheatstones network remains balanced if

P and Q are interchanged and R and S are interchanged.
P and R are interchanged and Q and S are interchanged.
P and S are interchanged and Q and R are interchanged.

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 In a balanced Wheatstones network, if the galvanometer is replaced by

another galvanometer of a higher or lower resistance, the balance remains
undisturbed.
In a balanced Wheatstones network, if the galvanometer is replaced by a
lamp, will not glow as no current will be flowing in that part.
A balanced Wheatstones network, if the galvanometer and the cell (battery)
connections are interchanged, the balance remains undisturbed.
In a balanced Wheatstones network, if the value of the ratio arms are
multiplied or divided by a common number, the balance remains undisturbed.
In a balanced Wheatstones network, if the value of the ratio arms are added or
subtracted by a common number, the balance is lost.

Metre Bridge
Metre bridge is a device which works on the principle of balance in
Wheatstones network. It can be used to measure or compare the value of resistances.
G
P

Q
C

(100 L)

L
D

Note:
1. In a metre bridge, the metal strips are made wide to reduce the
ohmic resistance contributed from them.
l 50cm P Q
l 50cm P Q
2. If l > 50cm P Q
3. In a meter bridge, the bridge wire is either manganin or constantan.
This is because these materials have a low temperature coefficient
of resistance. As a result there is negligible change in the resistance
with the change of temperature. They also posses a high resistivity.
4. A meter bridge should not be switched on without any resistances
in the ratio arms P and Q. Because with this, the cell may be
damaged due short circuiting.

Faraday
Michael Faraday's interest in knowledge for its own sake often baffled people of a
more practical bent. British Prime Minister William Gladstone, observing Faraday
performing a particularly unlikely experiment one day, pointedly asked him how
useful such a 'discovery' could possibly be. "Why," Faraday smartly replied, "you will
soon be able to tax it!"

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