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In continuation from “Basics of electric circuits 1”, We can now examine complex circuits that are either series circuit, parallel circuit and even both combined! With the help of laws derived by German Physicist Gustav Kirchoff, we can now determine the statistics of these complex circuits and apply them in real life.
Electric Power
In daily life, you may not see some electrical appliances measured in volts, but rather in Watts. Watt is a measurement of power which refers to the rate at which energy is converted. (Also in physics, the rate at which work is done.)
This could be given the equation: P=Vq/t or P=VI.
Junction
Within a circuit, a junction is a point of intersection where one or more wire combines and branches off into 1 or more paths.
Kirchoff’s Current Law /Junction Law
Kirchoff’s Current Law states that the total current entering a junction is equal to the total current leaving that junction.
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law states that for any closed loop, the sum of all the voltages is zero.
This could be given the equation: ΣV = 0
Intuitively this may not make much sense but essentially, within a closed loop circuit (Similar to a series circuit), the voltage provided by the battery/power supply will provide a “Voltage Rise”. Conversely, all other components within the circuit will hold some resistance, which causes some “Voltage Drop”. Hence, the Sum of the Voltage Rise and the Voltage Drop will diminish each other out and can be given by the equation: ΣVrise=ΣVdrop or ΣVrise - ΣVdrop=0
Resistance Law
The law of resistance differs between circuits in series and parallel.
For circuits in series, Total resistance is simply the sum of all the resistance in series. This could be given the equation Rtotal = R1+ R2+ R3…
For circuits in Parallel, The reciprocal of the total Resistance is the sum of all the resistances reciprocated.
This could be given the equation 1/RTotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3…
With the help of these two laws, we can now decompose parallel circuits and series circuits and vice versa until we eventually reach one single series circuit.
This could be achieved by combining series resistance by simply adding them up and parallel resistance by reciprocating and adding them.
Works Cited
BYJU'S (2020). Kirchhoff’s Laws - Kirchhoff’s Current and Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law - Solved Example. [online] BYJUS. Available at: https://byjus.com/physics/kirchhoffs-law/.
Nave, R. (2019). Resistance and Resistivity. [online] Gsu.edu. Available at: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/resis.html.
plowton (2020). Calculating resistance in parallel. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBIdFS0jwuU.
study.com. (2024). Writing Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule Equations for a Circuit with Resistors and Two or More Closed Loops. [online] Available at: https://study.com/skill/learn/writing-kirchhoffs-junction-rule-equations-for-a-circuit-with-resistors-and-two-or-more-closed-loops-explanation.html?srsltid=AfmBOop1YMnk3eoPvNToYnuffJ3DThBSR28BT4qJwCfM1m4zi9lyPd0a [Accessed 1 Nov. 2024].
Special Thanks to School Resources
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