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Simple Circuits and Kirchoffs Laws
Simple Circuits and Kirchoffs Laws
&
Kirchoff’s Rules
R1
V+ R2
R3
Simple Series Circuit -
Conservation of Energy
In a series circuit, the sum of the voltages is equal
to zero.
Vsource + V1 + V2 + V3 = 0
Where we consider the source voltage to be positive
and the voltage drops of each device to be
negative.
Vsource = V1 + V2 + V3
Since V = IR (from Ohm’s Law): V1
Vsource = I1R1 + I2R2 + I3R3
V+ V2
V3
Simple Series Circuit -
Conservation of Charge
In a series circuit, the same amount of
charge passes through each device.
IT = I 1 = I 2 = I 3
R1
V+ I R2
R3
Simple Series Circuit – Determining
Requivalent
What it the total resistance in a
series circuit?
Start with conservation of energy
Vsource = V1 + V2 + V3
Vsource = I1R1 + I2R2 + I3R3
Due to conservation of charge, I Total = I1 = I2 =
I3, we can factor out I such that
Vsource = ITotal (R1 + R2 + R3)
Since Vsource = ITotalRTotal:
RTotal = REq = R1 + R2 + R3
Simple Parallel Circuit
A parallel circuit exists where components are
connected across the same voltage source.
Parallel circuits are similar to those used in
homes.
V+ R1 R2 R3
Simple Parallel Circuits
Since each device is connected across
the same voltage source:
Vsource = V1 = V2 = V3
V+ V1 V2 V3
Simple Parallel Circuits Analogy
How Plumbing relates to current
In parallel circuits, the total current is equal to
the sum of the currents through each individual
leg.
Consider your home plumbing:
Your water comes into the house under pressure.
Each faucet is like a resistor that occupies a leg in
the circuit. You turn the valve and the water flows.
The drain reconnects all the faucets before they go
out to the septic tank or town sewer.
All the water that flows through each of the faucets
adds up to the total volume of water coming into the
house as well as that going down the drain and into
the sewer.
This analogy is similar to current flow through a
parallel circuit.
Simple Parallel Circuits –
Conservation of Charge & Current
The total current from the voltage source
(pressurized water supply) is equal to the sum
of the currents (flow of water through faucet
and drain) in each of the resistors (faucets)
ITotal = I1 + I2 + I3
ITotal
I1 I2 I3
V+
ITotal
Simple Parallel Circuit –
Determining Requivalent
What it the total resistance in a
parallel circuit?
Using conservation of charge
ITotal = I1 + I2 + I3
or
V1 V2 V3
I total (1)
R1 R2 R3
Since Vsource = V1 = V2 = V3 we can substitute
Vsource in (1) as follows
Vsource Vsource Vsource
I total ( 2)
R1 R2 R3
Simple Parallel Circuit –
Determining Requivalent
What it the total resistance in a
parallel circuit (cont.)?
However, since ITotal = Vsource/RTotal substitute in
(2) as follows
Vsource Vsource Vsource Vsource
(2)
Rtotal R1 R2 R3
Since Vsource cancels, the relationship reduces to
1 1 1 1
(3)
Req R1 R2 R3
Note: Rtotal has been replaced by Req.
Kirchoff’s Rules
Loop Rule (Conservation of Energy):
The sum of the potential drops
(Resistors) equals the sum of the
potential rises (Battery or cell) around
a closed loop.
Junction Rule (Conservation of
Electric Charge):
The sum of the magnitudes of the
currents going into a junction equals the
sum of the magnitudes of the currents
leaving a junction.
Rule #1: Voltage Rule
(Conservation of Energy)
V 0
Loop
R1
V+
ΣV R2
R3
Vsource – V1 – V2 – V3 = 0
Rule #2: Current Rule
(Conservation of Electric Charge)
Junction
I 0
I1 I2
I3
I1 + I 2 + I 3 = 0
Example Using Kirchoff’s Laws
I1 I2
R1 = 5Ω R3 = 5Ω
R2 = 10Ω
+
1 = 3V + 2 = 5V
I3
(R1 + R2)
Ex. (cont.)
[ (1 - I2R2)
2 – I2R3 –
[
+ I2 R2 = 0
(R1 + R2)
–IR – [
- 1
I2R2 [
2 2 3 R2 – I2R2 = 0
(R1 + R2)
Multiply by (R1 + R2) to remove from denominator.
2 (R1 + R2) – I2R3 (R1 + R2) – 1R2 + I2R22 – I2R2 (R1 + R2) = 0
I1 = -0.04A
Then, and
I1=2.809 A I2= 3.319 A, I3= -0.511 A