Circuit Rules

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Kirchoff's First Law

  • "The sum of the currents leaving any junction is always equal to the sum of the currents that entered it"
  • (http://physicsnet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/kirchoff-1-diagram.jpg)
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Kirchoff's Second Law

  • "The total voltage across a circuit loop is equal to the sum of the voltage drops across the devices in that loop"
  • (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DZNK7kqX6r0/TI_q89jeQSI/AAAAAAAAACg/86RQzMWHupk/s1600/LoopRule.jpg)
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Summary

  • Current is the same everywhere in a series circuit
  • Current is split in a parallel circuit along the different paths
  • Potential difference is split between components in series
  • Each branch of a parallel circuit gets the full potential difference from the supply
  • V = IR holds true for ohmic devices under constant conditions
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