Calculating Voltage and Power with Nodal Analysis

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the voltage and power in the given circuit using nodal analysis, start by identifying all nodes and setting a reference point at 0V. Since a 2A current flows, loop equations are unnecessary; instead, focus on calculating voltages at each node by considering current directions and potential changes across circuit elements. After determining the voltage at the node above the 2A current source, apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) to analyze energy conservation in the circuit. The power supplied or absorbed by the current source can be determined by the sign of the energy calculated across the resistor. A negative result indicates the source is supplying power, while a positive result indicates it is absorbing power.
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Homework Statement



Consider the circuit shown (attached). Calculate the voltage v and calculate the power for the 2A current source. In this particular case, is it supplying or absorbing power?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know that there is 2A flowing around the circuit so no point in using loop equations. I don't think nodal analysis would be of much help or would it?
 

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You're right, there's no need for loop equations. In this case just mark out all the nodes, and taking into account the direction of the current in the circuit, calculate the voltage at all the nodes using an arbitrary starting point of 0V in the circuit, remembering to minus potential when you cross over from + to - of a circuit element and add potential when you do the opposite. You should be able to get the potential at the point just above the 2A current source.

From there you can calculate the power absorbed/supplied by the source.
 
I would use KVL and the conservation of energy in a loop for a beginning.Since we know the value of each independent source, followed by convention sign we should be able to figure out how much energy left across the resistor. If the left energy is negative , then it is supplying the power. If it is a positive, then is is observing the power.
 
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