Kirchhoff’s Rules
Sometimes networks can’t be simplified using series-parallel
combinations. The figure below shows an example of a complicated network
Figure 1. An example of a network that could not
be reduced by simple series-parallel connection.
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In solving complicated networks, we will be using Kirchhoff’s rules.
However, be familiar with the following terms: junction and loop. A junction
is a point where three or more conductors meet. A loop is the closed conducting
path.
There are two (2) statements (points) under Kirchhoff’s rules.
(1) Junction Rule: The sum of the currents in the branch is always
equal to zero. This is based on the conservation of charges. Junctions
should not accumulate charges. Hence, the total current entering the
junction must be equal to the total current leaving the junction.
Figure 1 shows the 11 A current entering the junction. When it leaves
the junction, the 11 A current splits into 7A and 4A currents.
Figure 1. The values of currents Figure 2. The diagram showing the
entering and leaving the junction currents leaving and entering the
following the junction rule junctions.
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The junction rule is expressed as the sum of current, which is
equal to zero
∑𝐼 = 0
(2) Loop Rule: The sum of the potential differences in any loop must
equal to zero. This is an expression of the energy relationship. As a
charge goes around the loop and returns to its starting point, the
sum of the changes of its potential energy is equal to zero. Figure 3
shows the loop rule.
Figure 3. Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule
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ct-Current_Circuits/10.04%3A_Kirchhoff%27s_Rules
This is expressed as:
∑𝑉=0
It will not matter which direction or loop you would like to assume. If we have
wrong guess of its direction, we will get a negative value for the current. If we have the
correct guess of its direction, we will get a positive value for the current. Let us be
reminded with the following sign conventions:
Figure 4. Sign conventions for the loop rule. (a) Negative potential if the
assumed direction of loop is the same with the direction of current; (b) Positive
potential if the assumed direction of loop is opposite with the direction of
current; (c) Positive potential if the direction of the assumed direction of loop
is from negative terminal to positive terminal; and (d) Negative potential if the
assumed direction of loop is from positive to negative terminal.
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The most difficult part in dealing with Kirchhoff’s rules is keeping
track with signs. The rules and principles are easy to understand.
Example 2:
In the circuit shown below, find the
unknown current I, the resistance R, and
the emf ε.
What is/are given? 1A across 2Ω, 6A across 2 Ω and 18 V
What is/are asked? ε, R1 and current across R1
Strategy: First, we assume the direction of
currents in junction a. The charges will
start traveling from the positive terminal
of the sources and end in negative
terminals
We assign junction a as an application for junction rule.
We obtain
I + 1𝐴 = 6𝐴
I + 1𝐴 − 6𝐴 = 0 (1)
Next, we assume the directions of the loop 1, 2 and 3.
Loop 1: Loop 2:
18 V – IR1 + 1 A(2Ω) = 0 (2) 1 A (2Ω) + 6A (2Ω) + ε = 0 (3)
1A 1A
R1
6A
Loop 3: IR1 – 18 V + ε + (2Ω) (6A) = 0 (4)
Solution:
We solve for the unknown values using equations 1,2,3 and 4
Solve for I using equation 1:
I + 1𝐴 − 6𝐴 = 0 −→ I = 6𝐴 − 1𝐴 = 5𝐴 −→ 𝐼 = 5𝐴
Hence, we have the correct assumption of the direction of current.
The unknown current is 5A. Substitute this value in equation 2:
18 V – IR1 + 1 A(2Ω) = 0
18 V – (5A) R1 + 1 A(2Ω) = 0
– (5A) R1 = -18 V – 2V
– (5𝐴) 𝑅1 −20 𝑉
=
−5𝐴 −5𝐴
R1 = 4Ω
The unknown resistance is 4Ω.
Solve for ε using equation 3
1 A (2Ω) + 6A (2Ω) + ε = 0
2V + 12 V + ε = 0
ε = -14 V
Therefore, the unknown emf is -14 V
The negative value obtained implies that the actual polarity of the emf is
opposite from our assumption. The positive terminal should lie on the right life
side.
Measuring Devices
The measuring devices are used to measure the quantities involved in
studying circuits.
(1) Galvanometer is a device used in detecting the presence and direction
of electric current in the device.
(2) Multimeter is also a measuring device that could measure current,
resistance, and voltage.
(3) Ammeter is used to measure the magnitude of current passing
through the device.
(4) Voltmeter is used to measure the voltage or potential difference.
Both ammeter and voltmeter are used to measure the resistance or power.
Figure 4 shows the method for measuring the current and voltage of the circuit.
Figure 4. Methods in measuring current and voltage
using ammeter and multimer.
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Resistance-Capacitance Circuits
The figure below shows a simple circuit diagram of capacitor, voltage
source and resistor. At some time t, we close the switch to allow the capacitor
to charge. As the capacitor charges, the voltage increases and the potential
difference across the resistor decreases. However, the sum of the voltage
drops is equal to V.
When the capacitor is fully charged, the potential difference across the
resistor becomes zero, the current becomes zero and the voltage appears
now at the capacitor. This is expressed as:
q
𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝑖𝑅 𝑣𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝐶
𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟
As shown in Kirchhoff’s rule:
q q
𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟 + 𝑉𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝑖𝑅 + → 𝑉 = 𝑖𝑅 +
𝐶 𝐶
Solving for current i
𝑉 q
𝑖= −
𝑅 𝑅𝐶
As the charge increases, q/RC becomes larger and the capacitors reaches
final value denoted as Qf. The current i becomes zero.
q 𝑉 Hence, q = 𝐶𝑉 = 𝑸𝑓
=
𝑅𝐶 𝑅
It was also found out that when capacitor reaches the final value 𝐶𝑉 = 𝑸𝑓 , the
time it takes is equal to RC. The product RC is then the measure of how quick
the capacitor charges also known as time constant or relaxation time:
𝝉 = 𝑅𝐶
Example 3: A resistor with resistance R = 10 MΩ is connected in series with a
capacitor with capacitance 1 µF. What is the time constant?
A What is/are given? C = 1 µF; R = 10 MΩ
B What is asked? 𝜏=?
C Are the units No, µF must be converted to F
consistent with the 1 µF = 1 x 10-6 F
formula? and MΩ to Ω
10 MΩ = 10 x 106 Ω
E What strategy must We use the time constant formula
be employed?
F Solution
𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶 = (10 x 106 Ω)(1 x 10−6F) = 10 𝑠
G What is the Therefore, it takes 10 seconds for the capacitor to be
conclusion? fully charged.
