Calculate Current in Homework Statement | KCL

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The discussion revolves around calculating current in a circuit using Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) and the superposition principle. The user initially questions whether current can flow with zero potential difference but later acknowledges that a current source can still produce current. They explore the superposition method by replacing the current source with an open circuit and the voltage source with a short circuit, leading to confusion about the treatment of resistors in the circuit. Clarifications are provided regarding the correct application of circuit analysis techniques, ultimately concluding that the total current can be calculated correctly despite initial missteps. The final calculation indicates that the total current is I_tot = I + I1, suggesting the user arrives at a valid solution.
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Homework Statement





Homework Equations



KCL


The Attempt at a Solution



I have some question for this circuit.

http://img510.imageshack.us/my.php?image=questpt3.jpg

I want to calculate the current I, my first thought was that it can't go any current because the potential difference is zero. But then I thought that the current source can produce a current even if there is zero potential, so there is a current I anyway. I am correct?

I would appreciate some help.
 
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There will be a current through the wire. The potential difference across any ideal wire is 0, but still there will be current flow if the other circuit element are present. You can make use of superposition principle to do this problem.
 
ok so if I use the superposition method I get this:

First I have this situation

http://img387.imageshack.us/my.php?image=firstum9.jpg

First I replace the current source whit an open circuit and I end up whit this:

http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=second2ud4.jpg

So I = -(2.71/R9)


Next I replace the voltage source whit a short-circuit

http://img399.imageshack.us/my.php?image=second1br1.jpg

(im not sure if that step is right, I replaced the voltage source whit a short-circuit. So the resitance R10 got short circuted and I took it away correct?)

Then I = I1 (current source) not sure of that either...

which means that the total current I is equal to I1 -(2.71/R9)
 
john88 said:
You could have just reverse the direction of the battery instead of writing a negative voltage source, you know.

john88 said:
First I replace the current source whit an open circuit and I end up whit this:

http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=second2ud4.jpg

So I = -(2.71/R9)
What happened to the 2k resistor?

Next I replace the voltage source whit a short-circuit

http://img399.imageshack.us/my.php?image=second1br1.jpg

(im not sure if that step is right, I replaced the voltage source whit a short-circuit. So the resitance R10 got short circuted and I took it away correct?)
Yes, and so is the R9 resistor, so you have I = I1 here as well.
 
Well ye I took away the 2k resistor, and that's not correct but I still end up whit the same answer when I use the current divider, but its not negative. I = 2.72/6500

So now I_tot = I + I1

This must be the right answer
 

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