DC CIRCUITS AND

KIRCHHOFF LAWS
 Series Combination
Voltage
V1 V2 V3 Voltage is divided resistors
✓
.
among
in the ratio their resistances
of
- -

Ri Ri R}
Larger resistor consumes more
voltage
É and
R,
smaller consumes

R2
less .

300N
c.
g.
= 1005L : 500h Rs =

Vt R Ra Rs
if Vt=9V so
: :
,

100 :
500 :
300
Current 1 : 5 : 3

✓ It is same
everywhere in IV 5V 3V
series circuit irrespective sum all potential drops
of
-
a across

of the resistance .
resistors is
equal to EMF .

Vi = V1 + V2 + V3
✓
If one
of the resistors is

Resistance
replaced with another one

of a
different value a new Vt=V + V2 + V3 RT R, -1122+123
-
-

, ,

current will now

flow in IR
T T
=
IR -1112
1 I 2 2
+ IR
3 3 if all resistors are

The circuit .
as It = I, =
Iz = I} same Ri -
-
NR
,

I I, Iz I I Rt IIR , -1122+123 ) resistors

no
of
= = =
}
=
n : .
 Parallel combination
VT R2 •× Rs
←
I
-
q

J
Ii "
+ Ri
R,
T "
-2
→ Rz ✗ •
Ri • Y

T
-

→
3

Rz
"
É 123

Voltage : The
voltage across each resistor is
same irrespective of resistance as

all
of them are attached across
the same terminals .

Vt =
V1 V2=
V3 =

Current : Current in each resistor depends

the resistance resistor
upon of each
-

current
Layer resistor relieves less
and smaller reci even more .
However
,
the sum
of currents
if
all resistors in
parallel had the
value
in each resistor equals the same .

passing through the

Ii ¥-1k -1¥
current

battery .

Rt
It I Iz I}
¥ ¥
And
Rz
:
= + +
, =

Resistance :

hence Rt I the
' '
=
where n is no .

It Is
Iit Ia n
of resistors
-
-
+

¥ ¥ :*:*
-
-

3 resistors 301 parallel

. , e.
g. of in

as Vt = V + V2 -1 V3 so
,
Ri resistors
*
1%+1=+1 E. E. E.) 30-3=101 Attaching
-
-

+ +

I in
parallel decreases resistance The
¥5 ¥
1 " .

E.
=
+ - - -

I. , Rn total resistance is smaller than

the smallest resistor .

-
 2A IOV 4A IOV
← .
← .

For the same voltage applied ,

2A 2A
the current drawn from
in
→ the
battery is more
As R=V
→ case
of parallel .

In
r ,
ZA
✓ = IR
10=2×12 -
V=IR
10--4×12
hence
effective resistance

12=551 decreases .

12=2.552

✗ ✗

I
I V=lR V2 V=lR

3V V2 V3 3=111001 vi. 0.03×50

1005h 505h 123 I -
-
0.03A Vz= 1. 5V

Determine the I. V2 ,V} , Rs V3 V3 Rz V= IR

values
of 10-3-1.5
-_
.

V3 : 5. 5V 5.5=0.03123
123--18352
 Determining potential difference between two
points in a circuit

Find P D-

between A and B
- ←v

3. 6V 6. LIV VAB = VA -
VB
←
HOV OV
i
i
2530s
4. AV
5. 83V

VI. VI. 50 YAB = 6.4-4.17

In a series circuit ,
I constant .
600h -
IOV VaB= 2.23 V
V -
- IR so YAR i. e. Ratio ! ! 3501 - N

Another
way . . .

Rtt Vt V= R Vt subtract the

.
>
✗
x= 350×10 voltages
R V Ri 600 across the resistors behind
-

N= 5083 V A 2B .

15005h -

IOV x= 550×10
5505h -

a 1500 VB :
10-5.83 VAB =
3.6 -5.83
x= 3. 6V VB : 4.17 NAB = 2.23N
so Ha = 10-3.6 =
6. 4V
 IOV Determine the between A and B
p.cl .

-400ft
determine the resistance
Also
effective
of the circuit .

§ 5005L -
IOV 10052 -
IOV

for • 20h 40052 -

X. 801 -
X

B
✗ =8V a=8V
VA = ZV VB = 2

VAB = OV

No current
flows through 50s resistor as there is no
potential diff .

between them The is redundant in circuit i.

.
501 resistor of no use
e. .

IOV

4 •^1oon ggignore.it
5007 I

Foot Foo
.
=

seen zone it ! It
100h Rt = 83.352

805L • ZOR
B
?⃝
 Internal Resistance and Max Power Transfer Theorem

Internal
i=E=9✓ E=9V resistance is The
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

÷
111 I
= =

of the
battery
-

•
I. • .

resistance
1 11 11 É =
' ' ' ' ' 111
I
'
that
,,

itself causes reduction

-12. -12
in the terminal potential
①
•

¥9v
the
difference across

source .

v. qv g. lV= 8.31
.

Real
Ideal
Battery Battery
Terminal terminals
potential difference is the voltage across the
of battery .

^
11 E HIR VIV red has
gradient
✓
graph more
= -

E-
±

11 =
E- Ir ✗ l
M=
l l
-
r
l
so more internal resistance .

l l l

where vis the terminal

÷
:
potential difference .

V= -

r I + E
Y = m ✗ + c ¥/A
 Vt

E
' ' ' ' ' ' '
v11 :
E=9V P=EZ- "
"

• • .

( r -11212 Assume E=1OV 8=252

=\
,
11111111
+ I i ,
12=151
V2

12+1,2×102
P

|
R
y+R)z×É
=
P= 1 = 1101W
(
ii. 12=252
u p /W "
D= 2
"

12.5W
12+212×10
=

12=1421 Power output at external ma#

t resistor ) ☒ =
iii. 12--51
I "
1 P= 5
12+5,2×10
= 10.2W
=
As the circuit is a series circuit ,
-

=
✓ 1- V, = + V2 O
-

RISE
E

Ilr )
=

=
Ir +

-112
IR 0 12=8

I = E
→
2
if battery was ideal Pideal -501N
-
treat = 125W

✗ + R i. e. f- Of ,E=1OV
treat =
25% Pideal
D= V2
'

in 1 17=1101
replace 2 so
"
g.
(
D= E R 2
✗
✗ + R P= 50W
 2nd
Kirchoff 's Laws
Kirchhoff 's Law
( KVL )
1st
→
Kirchhoff 's
voltage Law

Kirchhoff 's Law The sum of all the Emts is equal

( KU ) The of all the potential drops
→
Kirchhoff 's current Law to sum
The total current
entering a in a
loop .

to
point in a circuit is equal E, R
the total current out { EMF { PD
coming
.
=

Ez IRTIR + IR
of that
point E, + Ez -

=
.

R
y, + I E, 3.IR
Il ,
+ Ez -

Ez =

> >

> .
Is EI in =
{ I out -

i I, Iz I} In Is E3
-
,
-
+ = + + Ez R Eve
In
✓
4A -15A = 1A -13A -15A

Is → It is related to the law

of conservation

of energy .

→
It is related to -

the law
of
conservation
of charge .
 I

E, R
A F
i, I , +1--2=1--3
•

II ,
I} R E'
B. +
¥2 E
Ii , A •
R
F { EMF = { PD

/
Ei -

Ez = I , R -11312
TIZ IIF
R
E3 R
IF Ez
B q + .

• E
C D
R
.
- '

EE R
A F
Using Kirchhoff Laws ,
write iii. •

d- It
down equation for { EMF EPD
=
an
t
Ei -
Ez = I ,R + 1- IIR -11-12121
B- -

|
I. I, I, and I} E, Ez = I, R 2 IZR
TIZ
- -

ii. ABEF R
loop E3 12
iii. Loop BCDE
C - .
D
IY Loop ABCDEF

Note Er taken
:
opposes E, so was
negative
•

Direction I, opposite to convention

•

of was

taken so taken negative .

?⃝
 Potentiometer Ral V4 ✗ L

VAR I

i. OV
The wire acts variable
=

•
.
as a -

ZV resistor .

<
L
>
•
Voltage across the length of

1- IOV • •
the wire considered .
depends
the length considered
☒Ñmovabk zv upon
"

↳gg
.

IgA
'm "

Vxv
V=U✗Y
L -

•
,
←
a -
11

"
"

If the
junction T is at

✗ : V :O as x=O

Y : V -11×4
-

as x =L

✗ Voltmeter
moved
from to Y :
reading increases
 ✗ T

_-:
*w

µ€-µ-
Ii
*
✗
•

Kamp is in
parallel to ie

vi. wire XT so Vxt-U.am >

Replacing the voltmeter with the lamp

shows how voltage changes from ✗ to Y .

When T
• the
junction is at
* ✗ :
Hump 0 =
so I ,
= 0 Clamp OFF )

* Y :
Vlamp =\/ ✗Y which is Max

so I. i. = Max 1 lamp at Max

brightness )
*
moving junction from ✗ to Y

vi. amp = increase

It = increase
I = increase 1 THE =
III. w+ÑIa )
y
Finding an unknown EMF using a knoi.in E.ME

Known ) small
If length XT is
I
•

← ←
Vxt < Ez and current # 1- ☒
I I Er
Ez
flows according to .

A Null point B

→ * → → :-# •

If length ✗T is
large

↳ )
.

I
Vxt > Ez and current +11 -
Y -

flows according to ✗ T Er

( unknown ) •
At a
particular length ,
11×1 -

= Ez
•

Galvanometer reads zero .

Voltage across the wire b/w the two •

current
only flows in the top
junctions X and T is used to
part of the circuit and is

produced
balance
the
out
cell
the
Ez
current
of the same value
everywhere .

by .

•
Find llxt using ratio method or

The b/w and I

adjusted V -112
length ✗ to
find Ez eventually
-
•
.

to change the
potential difference
across EZ .
For this method to work
balance it
1. Ez C E, so the
voltage across wire can .

the eachother
2. E, and Ez must have same terminals
facing .
 I
,

A- thin
film resistor is made
of
Nichrome and
of
thickness
1µm Of
-

resistivity Nichrome is 10hr2m calculate The resistance between

of ,
'

of
1mm
the
opposite edges such a
film of
area

a)
if
it is a
square
c- 1mm
'
b)
if it is a
rectangle whose length
P is 20 times its breadth .

R=µ
• •

1mm Q 1.2 20k

,
A PQ
%
10-6 1×10-3
1 1
R= ✗ u .
Q

11×10 -3×1×10-6 ) 12=11 I •

1
A
s

R = 15h 12=10 ! 20h

In ✗ 1×10-6 ) Rs
12=2052 R=pI
A

12=10-6 .
*

1×10-6×20 te

Igor
R =
 4 of 99
15

(b) Two cells of e.m.f. E1 and E2 and negligible internal resistance are connected into the For
network in (a), as shown in Fig. 7.2. Examiner’s
Use

E1
{ EMF =
{ PD A Z

Ez = V, + V2

R R V1

--o←i¥±
Ez =
IzR+IzR
v.
I1
I3 R .

B Y f-

①÷ I2 R
V2
C X
V2 E2
{ EMF =
{ PD

Fig. 7.2 E, -
Ez = V, + V2 + V3

Ei Ez -_
I,R 1-I, )R I, R
The currents in the network are as indicated in Fig. 7.2.
-

+ +

Use Kirchhoff’s laws to state the relation E -

Ez =
ZI, R -
Iat
,

(i) between currents I1, I2 and I3,

I +
,
I =
Is
............................................................................................................................ [1]
,

(ii) between E2, R, I2 and I3 in loop BCXYB,

Ez =I > R + Iz R
............................................................................................................................ [1]

(iii) between E1, E2, R, I1 and I2 in loop ABCXYZA.

E Ez
-

ZI, R Iat
= -

............................................................................................................................
, [1]

© UCLES 2009 9702/21/M/J/09 [Turn over

 6 of 99
14

(b) Two cells of e.m.f. E1 and E2 and negligible internal resistance are connected into a For
network of resistors, as shown in Fig. 7.3. Examiner’s
Use

M N

I1 R R

A I4
I2 R
E1
P Q

E2

R I3 R

L K

Fig. 7.3

The currents in the network are as indicated in Fig. 7.3.

Use Kirchhoff’s laws to state the relation

(i) between currents I1, I2, I3 and I4,

I + I }
= Iet In
..............................................................................................................................
,
[1]

(ii) between E1, E2, R, and I3 in loop NKLMN,

E -

Ez = -
ISR
..............................................................................................................................
,
[1]

(iii) between E2, R, I3 and I4 in loop NKQN.

Ez = I }R + I , R + IYR
.............................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2009 9702/22/M/J/09

 65 of 99
9

5 A potentiometer circuit that is used as a means of comparing potential differences is shown For
in Fig. 5.1. Examiner’s
Use

E1 r1 R1
H ✓ G

:
I1

metal wire
B
c.
I2
J F

I3
A

C E2 r2 D

Fig. 5.1

A cell of e.m.f. E1 and internal resistance r1 is connected in series with a resistor of resistance
R1 and a uniform metal wire of total resistance R2.
A second cell of e.m.f. E2 and internal resistance r2 is connected in series with a sensitive
ammeter and is then connected across the wire at BJ. The connection at J is halfway along
the wire. The current directions are shown on Fig. 5.1.

(a) Use Kirchhoff’s laws to obtain the relation

(i) between the currents I1, I2 and I3,

I + Is = Iz
..............................................................................................................................
,
[1]

(ii) between E1, R1, R2, r1, I1 and I2 in loop HBJFGH,

E, I,r , + I , Ri + I , 10.5122) -1 Iz( 0.5122 )

..............................................................................................................................
=
[1]

(iii) between E1, E2, r1, r2, R1, R2, I1 and I3 in the loop HBCDJFGH.
Ei -
Ez = -

Isra + Iir , t I,R , + I (0-512)

..............................................................................................................................
,
[2]

(b) The connection at J is moved along the wire. Explain why the reading on the ammeter
changes.

Moving J will change the resistance

..........................................................................................................................................

experienced by Ez so The cement

passing
..........................................................................................................................................

Er will change
through
..........................................................................................................................................
.

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2011 9702/22/O/N/11 [Turn over

 43 of 99
10

5 A uniform resistance wire AB has length 50 cm and diameter 0.36 mm. The resistivity of the metal
of the wire is 5.1 × 10–7 m.
=
=

(a) Show that the resistance of the wire AB is 2.5 .

R=P¥

*¥:¥÷i=* [2]

(b) The wire AB is connected in series with a power supply E and a resistor R as shown in
Fig. 5.1.
GV
I
VMI E

[µ
.

2.5-a
•
Van
R
✓ = IR ¥11
A
M B

µ→I2
# 2.5
1.2×1.25
.
=

v
Van 1. 5V
I
__

C 10h N D
•
Ven
V=lR Fig. 5.1
=/ 0.311107
The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of E is 6.0 V and its internal resistance is negligible.
Von -_3V The resistance of R is 2.5 . A second uniform wire CD is connected across the terminals
of E. The wire CD has length 100 cm, diameter 0.18 mm and is made of the same metal as
wire AB. 21 dg ¥
12×2×4
Vmn=3 -1.5 Calculate 812 -5
gxz
VmN= so
20¥
.

(i) the current supplied by E,

V=IR V=IR
6=1,15 ) 6=121201
I , -1.2A 12=0 -3A

I=I , -11--2
= 1-2-10.3

I -_ I -5A

current = ...................................................... A [4]

© UCLES 2015 9702/23/M/J/15

 r

88 of 99
11

5 A 240 V power supply S with negligible internal resistance is connected to four resistors, as shown
in Fig. 5.1.
V, IR -
-

0.40 A 240 V
-
4=0.16×550
S
4--88 V
0.16A V ,=88V 15N
p=N I1 A⇐
• •

17=142 550 950 Vz=IR

I2 0024A Vz=84 0.24×350
p=¥ B1
=

☒ Vz=84V
350 15kV R

Fig. 5.1 VAB= 88-84

4V =

Two resistors of resistance 550 and 950 are connected in series across S. Two resistors of
resistance 350 and R are also connected in series across S.

The current supplied by S is 0.40 A.

Currents I1 and I2 in the circuit are shown in Fig. 5.1.
→
if Rina
also inc
Vat R will
.

(a) Calculate Inc

→
Vats it also .

(i) current I1,

✓ =
112

240=1,1550+9501
11=0.16 A 0.16
I1 = ...................................................... A [2]

(ii) resistance R,
V=IR

240=0.24/350-1127
R -650h
-

650
R = ....................................................... [2]

(iii) the ratio

power transformed in resistor of resistance 350 .

power transformed in resistor of resistance 550

¥÷=÷÷r
= 0.2-4×350
0.164550 1.43
ratio = .......................................................... [2]
=
1.43

© UCLES 2015 9702/22/O/N/15 [Turn over