Kirchhoff’s law

1 Four resistors, R1 = 25Ω; R2 = 15Ω; R3 = 40Ωand R4 = 20Ω are connected to an element of 12V as shown
below. Calculate the total resistance of the four resistors. Find the current in each resistor.

2 Consider the circuit diagram below. Which value of R2 would give a current of 2A through it when
ε1 = 6.0V, ε2 = 10.0V and R1 = 2.0Ω?
3 Find the currents through the two resistors. The resistances are R1 = 10.0 Ω and R2 = 8.0 Ω and the
electromotive forces ε1 = 10.0 V and ε2 = 12.0 V. What power is delivered by the 12 V element?

4 Two elements of ε1 = 6.0 V and ε2 = 3.0 V are connected to three resistors, R1 = 6.0 Ω , R2 = 4.0 Ω and R3
= 2.0 Ω , as shown. Calculate the current in each resistor and each element.
5 Use Kirchhoff’s laws to calculate the currents I1, I2 and I3.

1Ω

1Ω 2Ω
I2 1.5 V
I1
1.5 V
I3

6 Calculate the currents through each resistor and the voltage across each resistor.

10 Ω
1V

5Ω
10Ω

4V
7 Calculate the currents through each resistor and the voltage across each resistor.

0.2 Ω 0.1 Ω
12 V 6V
1kΩ 1kΩ 1kΩ

8 Calculate the currents through each resistor and the voltage across each resistor.
(a) When the switch is opened
(b) When the switch is closed

K
2kΩ

1kΩ

30 V 20 V

1kΩ
9 Calculate the currents through each resistor and the voltage across each resistor.

2Ω 1Ω

2V

10 V 2V
2Ω

10 Use Kirchhoff’s laws to calculate the reading in ammeters A, B and C.

2006 Nov Q7(b)
The diagram below shows an electrical circuit containing two cells of e.m.f. E1 and E2.
The cells are connected to resistors of resistance R1, R2 and R3 and the currents in the branches of the
circuit are I1, I2 and I3, as shown.

(i) Use Kirchhoff’s first law to write down an expression relating I1, I2 and I3.

(ii) Use Kirchhoff’s second law to write down an expression relating

1. E2, R2, R3, I2 and I3 in the loop XBCYX,

2. E1, E2, R1, R2, I1 and I2 in the loop AXYDA.

2009 June Q7
A network of resistors, each of resistance R
Diagram for (a) Diagram for (b)

(a) Calculate the total resistance, in terms of R, between points

(i) A and C,
(ii) B and X,
(iii) A and Z

(b) Two cells of e.m.f. E1 and E2 and negligible internal resistance are connected into the network in (a), as
shown above. The currents in the network are as indicated. Use Kirchhoff’s laws to state the relation
(i) between currents I1, I2 and I3,

(ii) between E2, R, I2 and I3 in loop BCXYB,

(iii) between E1, E2, R, I1 and I2 in loop ABCXYZA.

2007 June Q6
A car battery has an internal resistance of 0.060 Ω. It is re-charged using a battery charger having an e.m.f.
of 14 V and an internal resistance of 0.10 Ω

(a) At the beginning of the re-charging process, the current in the circuit is 42 A and the e.m.f. of the
battery is E (measured in volts).
(i) For the circuit, state
1. the magnitude of the total resistance,
2. the total e.m.f. in the circuit. Give your answer in terms of E.
[2]
(ii) Use your answers to (i) and data from the question to determine the e.m.f. of the car battery at
the beginning of the re-charging process.

[2]
(b) For the majority of the charging time of the car battery, the e.m.f. of the car battery is 12 V and the
charging current is 12.5 A. The battery is charged at this current for 4.0 hours. Calculate, for this
charging time,
(i) the charge that passes through the battery,

[2]
(ii) the energy supplied from the battery charger,

[2]
(iii) the total energy dissipated in the internal resistance of the battery charger and the car battery.

[2]
(c) Use your answers in (b) to calculate the percentage efficiency of transfer of energy from the battery
charger to stored energy in the car battery.

[2]
2011 Nov Paper 23 Q4(b)
Two cells A and B are connected in series with a resistor R of resistance 5.5 Ω, as shown below

Cell A has e.m.f. 4.4 V and internal resistance 2.3 Ω. Cell B has e.m.f. 2.1 V and internal resistance 1.8 Ω.
(i) State Kirchhoff’s second law.

(ii) Calculate the current in the circuit.

[2]

(iii) Draw an arrow above to show the direction of the current in the circuit. Label this arrow I.

(iv) Calculate
1. the p.d. across resistor R,

2. the terminal p.d. across cell A,

3. the terminal p.d. across cell B.

2011 Nov Paper 22 Q5
A potentiometer circuit that is used as a means of comparing potential differences is shown below.

A cell of e.m.f. E1 and internal resistance r1 is connected in series with a resistor of resistance R1 and a
uniform metal wire of total resistance R2.

A second cell of e.m.f. E2 and internal resistance r2 is connected in series with a sensitive ammeter and is
then connected across the wire at BJ. The connection at J is halfway along the wire. The current directions
are shown.

(a) Use Kirchhoff’s laws to obtain the relation

(i) between the currents I1, I2 and I3,

(ii) between E1, R1, R2, r1, I1 and I2 in loop HBJFGH,

(iii) between E1, E2, r1, r2, R1, R2, I1 and I3 in the loop HBCDJFGH.

(b) The connection at J is moved along the wire. Explain why the reading on the ammeter changes.
2012 June Paper 23 Q5(b)
A variable resistor of resistance R is used to control the current in a circuit

The generator G has e.m.f. 20 V and internal resistance 0.50 Ω. The battery has e.m.f. 12 V and internal
resistance 0.10 Ω. The current in the circuit is 2.0 A.
(i) Apply Kirchhoff’s second law to the circuit to determine the resistance R.

[2]
(ii) Calculate the total power generated by G.

[2]
(iii) Calculate the power loss in the total resistance of the circuit.

[2]
(iv) The circuit is used to supply energy to the battery from the generator.
Determine the efficiency of the circuit.

[2]
2012 Nov paper 22 Q5
The diagram shows a 12 V power supply with negligible internal resistance connected to a uniform metal
wire AB. The wire has length 1.00 m and resistance 10 Ω. Two resistors of resistance 4.0 Ω and 2.0 Ω are
connected in series across the wire. Currents І1, І2 and І3 in the circuit are as shown.

(a) (i) Use Kirchhoff’s first law to state a relationship between І1, І2 and І3.

(ii) Calculate І1.

(iii) Calculate the ratio x, where x = power in metal wire / power in series resistors

(b) Calculate the potential difference (p.d.) between the points C and D, as shown above.
The distance AC is 40 cm and D is the point between the two series resistors.