Experiment 1

KIRCHOOFFS LAW

KIRCHHOFFS VOLTAGE LAW

The aims for this experiment is understand the fundamental circuit law of Kirchhoffs
voltage as it state that the algebraic sum of all the voltages around a single closed path is
zero or, in other words, the sum of the voltage drops equals the total source voltage.

Materials required to perform the experiment

DMM
Power supply : low voltage, regulated, variable
Resistors, one each, 330, 470, 1200, 3300 and 4700 ohms

In an electric circuit, the voltage across the resistors (voltage drops) always have polarities
opposite to the source voltage polarity. Note that the source polarity is plus to minus and
each voltage drop is minus-to-plus. The voltage drops across resistors are designate as v1,
v2 and so on.

The current goes out of the negative side of the source and through the resistors. The
current into the negative side of each resistor and out the positive side. The drop in energy
level across a resistor creates a potential difference, or voltage drop, with a minus-to-plus
polarity in direction of the current.
The voltage from point A to a point B in the circuit is the source voltage. Also, the source
voltage from A to B is the sum of the resistor voltage drops. Therefore the source voltage is
is equal to the sum of the three voltage drops, as stated by kirchhoffs voltage law.

The sum of all the voltage drop around a single closed path in a circuit is equal to the tt
total source voltage in that loop.
If all the voltage drops around a closed path are added and then this total is subtracted from
the source voltage, the result is zero. This result occurs because the sum of the voltage
drops always equals he source voltage.
Kirchoff current law
This deals with voltages in a single closed path, Kirchhoffs current law apllies to currents in
multiple paths.

The sum of currents into a node equals to the sum of the currents out of that node

A node is a any point or junction in a circuit where two or more component are connected.

The algebraic sum of all currents entering and leaving a node is equal to zero.

To express kirchhoffs current law, all currents are assigned a sequential subscript no matter
if the current is into or out of the node. Current into the node are positive and leaving the
node is negative.