Kircchoff’s Rules

CELESTIE C. APITA
ESNCHS
Objectives: Electric field

Calculate the current and voltage through and

across circuit elements using Kirchhoff’s loop and
junction rules (at most 2 loops only)
(STEM_GP12EMIIIg-49)
Review

Resistors in Parallel
Problem: Complex circuit diagrams
Two networks that cannot be reduced to simple series-parallel combination of resistors

(a) (b)
Solution: Junctions and Loops and Math
(a) Junction

Junction – a point
where 3 or more
conductors meet

Loops – any closed

conducting path

Not a Junction Not a

junction junction
Junctions and Loops
(b)

Junction – a point
where 3 or more
conductors meet

Loops – any closed

conducting path
Kirchhoff’s Rules
1. Junction Rule
The algebraic sum of the currents into any junction is zero.

2. Loop Rule
The algebraic sum of the potential differences in any loop must be
equal to zero.
Kirchhoff’s Rules Into the junction : positive
Out of the junction: negative

Junction Rule:

Direction of the current is set first!!!

 Be careful in
Kirchhoff’s Rules determining the
algebraic signs!
Loop Rule:

Direction of loops through Direction of loops through

Voltage Sources (Emfs) Resistive Elements (IRs)
- to + Positive Opposite direction Positive
as current
+ to - Negative Same direction as Negative
current
 Be careful in
Kirchhoff’s Rules determining the
algebraic signs!
Loop Rule:

(a) Sign conventions for emfs (b) Sign conventions for resistors

+: Travel direction - : Travel direction +IR: Travel opposite +IR: Travel in

from – to +: from + to - : to current direction : current direction :
Sample Problem 1: A Single-loop Circuit
#26.24 UP ebook

The batteries shown in

the circuit in the figure
have negligibly small
internal resistances.
Find the current
through
(a) the resistor; (b) the
resistor; (c) the 10.0-
Vbattery
Steps to follow in solving problems using
Kirchhoff’s Rules
1. Draw the circuit diagram leaving enough space for the
labels of known and unknown values AND arrows or
loops indicating the direction of the current and EMFs.
2. Draw the arrows and loops. Make sure not to duplicate
labels of currents. Loops may be CCW or CW.
3. Write the equations formed using the Junction and
Loop Rules.
4. Substitute equations into other. Every equation may
only be used once. Equations derived from the Junction
Rule counts only as one equation.
Sample Problem 2
Figure 26.12 shows a
“bridge” circuit of the
type described at the
beginning of this
section. Find the
current in each resistor
and the equivalent
resistance of the
network of five
resistors.
Thank you!