SPH3U Circuits Analysis

Ms. Kueh

Recall: How do V, I, and R relate in a circuit? _________________

The most basic ways to connect loads are in series and parallel.

Series circuits offer _________________for charges to flow (charges flow from one load
to the next in series) while parallel offer charges a “choice”.

Kirchhoff’s Laws

Kirchhoff’s Current Law - I out =I ¿ for any junction

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law - The sum of all voltage increases in any complete circuit
loop is equal to the sum of all voltage decreases
It’s really just conservation of energy!

V out =V ¿

These laws can be applied to determine some general rules of circuits.

Consider a series circuit with 3 resistors:

From Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law: VT = V1 + V2 + V3

From Ohm’s Law: ITRT = I1R1 + I2R2 + I3R3
From Kirchhoff’s Current Law: IT = I1 = I2 = I3
Therefore, in a series circuit,
RT =R 1 + R2 +R 3 +…

Consider a parallel circuit with 3 resistors:

From Kirchhoff’s Current Law: IT = I1 + I2 + I3

VT V1 V2 V 3
= + +
From Ohm’s Law: RT R 1 R 2 R3
From Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law: VT = V1 = V2 = V3
Therefore, in a parallel circuit,
1 1 1 1
= + + +…
R T R1 R2 R 3
Example 1 For the following circuit, find the values for I source, I 1, I 2, I 3, V 1, V 2, V 3, and
Rtotal . Where R1=15.0 , R2=25.0 , R3=35.0 , and V =12.0V .
V[V] I[A] R[Ω]
1
2
3
T

Example 2 For the following circuit V source =12.0 V , I 1=0.50 A , V 3=2.5V , V 4 =5.0 V ,
R
and 3 =10.0 . Find I source , I 2, I 3, I 4, V 1, V 2, R1, R2, R4 , and Rtotal .
 V[V] I[A] R[Ω]
1
2
3
4
T

Without calculating(!), think about how you would simplify the resistors in this diagram.