Circuit

Analysis

Current in Series: the current is the same at all points

in the circuit:
IT = I1 = I2 = . . .

Poten.al Dierence in Series: total poten5al in the

circuit is equal to the sum of the poten5al
decreases across the individual loads:
VT = V1 + V2 + . . .

Resistance in Series: the equivalent (or total)

resistance is the sum of the individual resistances:
Req or RT = R1 + R2 + . . .

Solving for the unknown values in a circuit is

like solving a Sudoku puzzle. . . .
Which values you find first depend on which
you are given.

G : R1 = 17
R2 = 12
R3 = 11
U : Req = ?

G : R1 = 17
R2 = 12
R3 = 11
U : Req = ?

S : Req = R1 + R2 + R3
S : Req = 17 + 12 + 11
Req = 40

G : Req = 40
Vtot = 60 V
U : I tot = ?

G : Req = 40

S : I tot

Vtot
(Ohm' s Law)
=
Req

S : I tot

60 V
=
40

Vtot = 60 V
U : I tot = ?

I tot = 1.5 A

G : Req = 40

S : I tot

Vtot
(Ohm' s Law)
=
Req

S : I tot

60 V
=
40

Vtot = 60 V
U : I tot = ?

I tot = 1.5 A

Since there is only one path for the current,

I1 = I2 = I3 = Itot = 1.5 A

G : R1 = 17
I 1 = 1 .5 A
U :V1 = ?

G : R1 = 17
I 1 = 1 .5 A
U :V1 = ?

S :V1 = I1 R1
S :V1 = (1.5 A)(17 )
V1 = 25.5V
(or 26 V to 2 sig digs)

Similarly, V2 = 18 V and V3 = 16.5 V.

Similarly, V2 = 18 V and V3 = 16.5 V.

Note that 25.5 V + 18 V + 16.5 V = 60 V.

Note also that you get the greatest poten5al decrease

(and therefore the greatest power consump5on,
P=VI) across the greatest load.

Current in Parallel: total current is the sum of the

current through each branch
IT = I1 + I2 + . . .

Poten.al Dierence in Parallel: the total poten5al

dierence is the same as the poten5al dierence
through any of the branches
VT = V1 = V2 = . . .

Parallel Circuit Example

Since there are three paths for the current,

V1 = V2 = V3 = Vtot = 60 V

G : R1 = 12
V1 = 60 V
U : I1 = ?

G : R1 = 12
V1 = 60 V
U : I1 = ?

V1
S : I1 =
R1
60 V
S : I1 =
12
I 1 = 5 .0 A

Similarly, I2 = 5.0 A and I3 = 5.0 A.

G : I1 = 5.0 A
I 2 = 5.0 A
I 3 = 5.0 A
U : I tot = ?

G : I1 = 5.0 A
I 2 = 5.0 A
I 3 = 5.0 A
U : I tot = ?

S : I tot = I1 + I 2 + I 3
S : I tot = 5.0 A + 5.0A + 5.0A
I tot = 15 A

G :Vtot = 60 V
I tot = 15 A
U : Req = ?

G :Vtot = 60 V
I tot = 15 A
U : Req = ?

Vtot
S : Req =
I tot
60 V
S : Req =
15 A
Req = 4.0

G :Vtot = 60 V
I tot = 15 A
U : Req = ?

Vtot
S : Req =
I tot
60 V
S : Req =
15 A
Req = 4.0

Note that
this is 1/3 of
each of the 3
resistors.

More Prac5ce
Circuit Analysis Worksheet