KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS
Basic DC Theory
Subtract:
8I1
20I2
24
(8I1
2I2
6)
18I2
18
Now we have an equation with only I2, which is the current we are looking for.
18I2
18
I2
18
18
1 ampere
This circuit could have been solved simply by using Ohm’s Law, but we used Kirchhoff’s Laws
to show the techniques used in solving complex circuits when Ohm’s Law cannot be used.
Summary
The important information in this chapter is summarized below.
Kirchhoff’s Laws Summary
Kirchhoff’s voltage law states that the sum of the voltage drops around a
closed loop is equal to the sum of the voltage sources of that loop.
Kirchhoff’s current law states that the current arriving at any junction point in
a circuit is equal to the current leaving that junction.
Since voltage and current can be related to energy and charge, then
Kirchhoff’s laws are only restating the laws governing energy and charge
conservation.
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