Related Concept Videos
Kirchhoff's Rules
Gustav Kirchhoff (1824–1887) devised two rules known as Kirchhoff's rules to analyze complex circuits, which cannot be analyzed with series-parallel techniques. These rules can be used to analyze any circuit, simple or complex.
Kirchhoff's first rule is called the junction rule. A junction, also known as a node, is a connection of three or more wires. The rule states that the sum of all currents entering a junction must equal the sum of all currents leaving the junction.
Kirchhoff's first rule is called the junction rule. A junction, also known as a node, is a connection of three or more wires. The rule states that the sum of all currents entering a junction must equal the sum of all currents leaving the junction.
Kirchoff's Rules: Application
Kirchhoff's rules quantify the current flowing through a circuit and the voltage variations around the loop in a circuit. Applying Kirchhoff's rules generates a set of linear equations that allow us to find the unknown values in circuits. These may be currents, voltages, or resistances.
When applying Kirchhoff's first rule, the junction rule, label the current in each branch and decide its direction. If the chosen direction is wrong, it will have the correct magnitude, although the current will...
When applying Kirchhoff's first rule, the junction rule, label the current in each branch and decide its direction. If the chosen direction is wrong, it will have the correct magnitude, although the current will...
Lenz's Law
The direction in which the induced emf drives the current around a wire loop can be found through the negative sign. However, it is usually easier to determine this direction with Lenz's law, named in honor of its discoverer, Heinrich Lenz (1804–1865). Lenz's law states that the direction of the induced emf drives the current around a wire loop always to oppose the change in magnetic flux that causes the emf.
If a bar magnet is moved toward a coil such that the magnetic flux through the coil...
If a bar magnet is moved toward a coil such that the magnetic flux through the coil...
RLC Series Circuits: Introduction
Consider an RLC series circuit consisting of a resistor, an inductor, and a capacitor connected to an AC voltage source. A current, which varies sinusoidally over time, flows through the circuit, and this can be expressed by the following equation:
RLC Series Circuits: Impedance
When current flow is opposed in a DC or AC circuit, it is referred to as resistance or impedance, respectively. Impedance plays a key role in determining the performance of AC circuits. It is represented by Z, which is a combination of resistance and reactance, and depends upon the angular frequency, measured in ohms.
Thus, the magnitude of the impedance is given by the following equation,
Thus, the magnitude of the impedance is given by the following equation,
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) is another fundamental principle in electrical engineering, introduced by physicist Gustav Robert Kirchhoff. This law is rooted in the principle of energy conservation, which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another.
KVL states that the algebraic sum of all voltages around a closed path or loop within a circuit is zero. This means that the total voltage supplied in a loop is equal to the total...
KVL states that the algebraic sum of all voltages around a closed path or loop within a circuit is zero. This means that the total voltage supplied in a loop is equal to the total...
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Sort by
Same author
Higher-order force gradient symplectic algorithms
Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics·2001


