When the righteous thrive,

the people rejoice; when

the wicked rule, the people
groan.
Proverbs 29:2
 FUNDAMENTALS
OF ELECTRIC
CIRCUITS
Sample Problems

Compiled by:

DENNIS L. AGUIRRE, REE

Faculty, EE Department
Bulacan State University
Problem 1. The total charge entering a terminal is given by q = 5t sin 4πt
mC. Calculate the current at t = 0.5 s.
Solution:

𝑑𝑞 𝑑 𝑚𝐶
𝑖= = (5𝑡 sin 4𝜋𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑠
= (5 sin 4𝜋𝑡 + 20 𝜋𝑡 cos 4𝜋𝑡) 𝑚𝐴

At t = 0.5 sec,

𝑖 = 5 sin 2𝜋 + 10𝜋 cos 2𝜋 = 0 + 10𝜋 = 31.42 mA ans.

Problem 2. Determine the total charge entering a terminal between t = 1 s
and t = 2 s if the current passing the terminal is i = (3t2 – t) A.
Solution:
2 2
Q= ‫=𝑡׬‬1 𝑖𝑑𝑡 = ‫=𝑡׬‬1(3t2 – t)𝑑𝑡
2
3 𝑡2 1
=(𝑡 − )ቚ = (8 – 2) – (1 - ) = 5.5 C ans.
2 1 2
Problem 3. Assume that a 20 V voltage drop occurs across an element from terminal 2 to
terminal 1 and that a current of 4 A enters terminal 2. a) Specify the values of v and i for
the polarity references shown in Fig. 1.4(a) – (d). b) State whether the circuit inside the
box is absorbing or delivering power. c) How much power is the circuit absorbing?
Solution: Absorbing
v = - 20V v = - 20V
i = - 4A i = 4A
p = vi = (-20)(-4) p = -vi = - (-20)(4)
= 80 W = 80 W
v = 20V v = 20V
i = - 4A i = 4A
p = -vi = -(20)(-4) p = vi = 20(4)
= 80 W = 80 W
Problem 4. A high-voltage direct-current transmission line between Celilo, Oregon and
Sylmar, California is operating at 800 kV and carrying 1800 A, as shown. Calculate the
power (in megawatts) at the Oregon end of the line and state the direction of power flow.

Solution:
Celilo, Oregon as reference,
p = -vi = -(800kV)(1.8 kA) From Celilo to Sylmar
p = - 1440 MW (Delivering)
Problem 5. Find the power being absorbed by the element.

Solution:
a.) 𝑃 = 2 3 = 6𝑊 absorbed by the element
𝑏. ) 𝑃 = −2 −3 = 6𝑊 absorbed by the element
𝑐. ) 𝑃 = 4 −5 = −20𝑊 absorbed by the element or 20W
delivered by the element.
Problem 6. The numerical values of the voltages and currents in the
interconnection seen in Figure 2 are given in Table 2. Does the
interconnection satisfy the power check?

Fig. 2 Table 2
Solution:
Solving for the power in each of the circuit elements and identifying
which are absorbed and delivered power.
Element a: Element b:
pa = - va x ia pb = - vb x ib
= - (-3 kV) x (-250 µA) = - (4 kV) x (-400 µA)
= - (-3000 V) x (-250 x 10-6 A) = - (4000 V) x (-400 x 10-6 A)
= - 750 mW or - 0.75 W = 1600 mW or 1.6 W
(Delivered power) (Absorbed power)
Element c: Element d:
pc = - vc x ic pd = vd x id
= - (1 kV) x (400 µA) = (1 kV) x (150 µA)
= - (1000 V) x (400 x 10-6 A) = (1000 V) x (150 x 10-6 A)
= - 400 mW or - 0.4 W = 150 mW or 0.15 W
(Delivered power) (Absorbed power)
 Element e: Element f:
pe = ve x ie pf = vf x if
= (-4 kV) x (200 µA) = (4 kV) x (50 µA)
= (-4000 V) x (200 x 10-6 A) = (4000 V) x (50 x 10-6 A)
= - 800 mW or - 0.80 W = 200 mW or 0.2 W
(Delivered power) (Absorbed power)
To check whether the interconnection satisfy the power check, we have to
test whether the total power delivered is equal to the total power
absorbed,
Pdel(total) = Pabs(total) →check this
pa + pc + pe = pb + pd + pf
(0.75 + 0.40 + 0.80) W = (1.6 + 0.15 + 0.20) W
1.95 W = 1.95 W →(check)

Therefore, the interconnection satisfies the power check.