Kirchhoff’s Rules
Kirchhoff’s rules are statements used to solve for currents and
voltages in complicated circuits. The rules are
Rule I. Sum of currents into any junction
is zero. ∑ Ii = 0
i I1 + I 2 = I12
Why? Since charge is conserved.
a b
Rule II. Sum of potential differences
in any loop is zero. (This includes emfs)
∑Vi = 0
i d
c
Why? Since potential (energy) Vab + Vbc + Vcd + Vda = 0
is conserved
Kirchhoff’s
Appli Rules
(1) Set up current directions. The
current is the same along single path
and at a junction the sum of 2 currents
entering a junction equals the current
exiting the junction.
(2) Getting potential differences requires
setting up travel path through a loop, +
either clockwise or counter clockwise.
Positive for current flow – to + across
a battery and negative for flow + to -.
For a resistor, negative voltage drop if + −
travel & I in same direction and pos.
voltage increase if travel & I opposite
Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887)
Born in Prussia, Germany. Studied with
Neumann and in 1841 published his famous
Kirchhoff’s laws. He extended Ohm’s
electrical theories. Later he studied spectra
from various elements. He worked with
Robert Bunsen and studied radiation spectrum
from the sun. He also worked on black body
radiation, which was very important in the
development of Quantum Theory. After
he was disabled in crutches and a wheelchair
he turned from experimental physics to
theoretical physics. He became Chair of
Mathematical physics in Berlin. He was
known as a masterful teacher with clarity
and rigor in his thinking and teaching.
Loop Demo
- R1 + ε R4
1 - +
b a f
+ -
I I
c d e
+ R2 -ε + R3 -
2
+ -
KVL: ∑V
loop
n =0 ⇒ − IR1 − IR2 − ε 2 − IR3 − IR4 + ε 1 = 0
ε1 − ε 2
⇒ I=
R1 + R2 + R3 + R4
UIL9, ACT 2
• Consider the circuit shown.
– The switch is initially open and the current R 12V
flowing through the bottom resistor is I0. a I
– After the switch is closed, the current 12V 12V
R
flowing through the bottom resistor is I1.
– What is the relation between I0 and I1? b
(a) I1 < I0 (b) I1 = I0 (c) I1 > I0
UIL9, ACT 2
• Consider the circuit shown. +
– The switch is initially open and the current R 12V
flowing through the bottom resistor is I0. a -
I+
– After the switch is closed, the current 12V 12V
R
flowing through the bottom resistor is I1.
– What is the relation between I0 and I1? b
-
(a) I1 < I0 (b) I1 = I0 (c) I1 > I0
• Write a loop law for original loop:
12V +12V − I0R − I0R = 0
I0 = 12V/R
• Write a loop law for the new loop:
12V − I1R = 0
I1 = 12V/R
UIL9Pf
Two identical light bulbs are
represented by the resistors
R2 and R3 (R2 = R3 ). The
switch S is initially open.
2) If switch S is closed, what happens to the brightness of the bulb R2?
a) It increases b) It decreases c) It doesn’t change
3) What happens to the current I, after the switch is closed ?
a) Iafter = 1/2 Ibefore
b) Iafter = Ibefore
c) Iafter = 2 Ibefore
How to use Kirchhoff’s Laws
A two loop example:
R1
+ - I3
I1 I2
+ ε2
ε1 +
R2 R3
- -
• Analyze the circuit and identify all circuit nodes
and use KCL.
(1) I1 = I2 + I3
• Identify all independent loops and use KVL.
(2) ε1 − I1R1 − I2R2 = 0
(3) ε1 − I1R1 − ε2 − I3R3 = 0
(4) I2R2 − ε2 − I3R3 = 0
How to use Kirchoff’s Laws
R1
+ - I3
I1 I2
+
ε2
ε1 +
R2 R3
- -
• Solve the equations for I1, I2, and I3:
First find I2 and I3 in terms of I1 : I 2 = (ε1 − I1 R1 ) / R2 From eqn. (2)
I 3 = (ε1 − ε 2 − I1 R1 ) / R3 From eqn. (3)
Now solve for I1 using eqn. (1):
ε1 ε1 − ε 2
+
ε1 ε1 − ε 2 R1 R1 R2 R3
I1 = + − I1 ( + ) ⇒ I1 =
R2 R3 R2 R3 R R
1+ 1 + 1
R2 R3
Let’s plug in some numbers
R1
+ - I3
I1 I2
+
ε2
ε1 +
R2 R3
- -
ε1 = 24 V ε 2 = 12 V R1= 5Ω R2=3Ω R3=4Ω
Then I1=2.809 A and I2= 3.319 A
and I3= −0.511 A
The sign means that
the direction of I3 is
opposite to what’s
shown in the circuit
Using Kirchhoff’s Rules, like Y&F 26.12
A) What are currents at junctions
b, c, d and f?
c d e
c : I 3 − 4 A − 3 A = 0; I 3 = 7 A
I3 I25
d : 4 A + 3 A − I 25 = 0; I 25 = 7 A
3A
I 25 = I 3
b I20
199V f
b : I1 − I 20 − I 3 = 0; I1 = + 7 A = 16.95 A + 199 V -
20 Ω a g
I1
f : I 20 + I 3 − I1 = 0
Note: d gives same as c
f gives same as b
Using Kirchhoff’s Rules, like Y&F 26.12
B) What are voltages around loops,
a-b-f-g, a-b-c-d-e-f-g, and b-c-d-e-f
c d e
V25 = I 25 (25 Ω) = 175V
I3 I25
V6 = V8 = 24V
3A
a − b − f − g : −199V + ε = 0; ε = 199V
b I20
a −b−c −d − f − g : f
+ 199 V -
− 24 − 175 + ε = 0; ε = 199V a g
I1
b−c−d −e− f :
exercise for student
Meters
Conventional needle meters are all based
on the galvanometer (named after Luigi
Galvani) which measures current.
Current in the red wire creates a magnetic
field causes a torque inside an external
magnetic field. This will be explained in
Y&F 27.7. This torque causes the needle
to rotate the needle proportionally to the
current when connected to a restoring
spring.
This galvanometer, can be configured in
a circuit to measure amps, volts or ohms.
A typical galvanometer measures 10milli-
amps, at full scale deflection.
Ammeter Voltmeter Ohmmeter
Y&F, Figures 26.15,26.17
Designing an Ammeter, Voltmeter and Ohmmeter
A) For an ammeter, what circuit measures 100 milliamp full scale
if the intrinsic meter is a 10 milliamp meter and internal Rc=10Ω?
B) For a voltmeter, what circuit measures 10 volts full scale?
C) For an ohmmeter, what circuit measures R at half scale?,
Assume Ɛ=1.5V
Ammeter
Designing an Ammeter,
Voltmeter and Ohmmeter
I-Ish
Ish
A) For an ammeter, what circuit measures 100 milliamp full scale
if the intrinsic meter is a 10 milliamp meter and internal Rc=10Ω?
I − I sh = 10 mA Meter: 10 mA full scale
I = 100 mA full scale when 100 mA
I sh = 100 − 10 = 90 mA
( I − I sh ) RC = Rsh I sh Same potential difference
( I − I sh ) 10
Rsh = RC = Ω
I sh 9
