Current in Branch: Node Method Calculation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of current in a circuit using the node method, particularly focusing on a scenario involving a voltage source in series with a resistor connected to ground. Participants explore various expressions for current and engage in discussions about LaTeX formatting for mathematical expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the current in a branch with a voltage source is calculated as 5/1k or v1+5/1k.
  • Another participant provides a formula for the current across the resistor as (V1 - Vg)/1k, defining ground as 0V.
  • There is a discussion about the correct expression for the current through the branch, with some suggesting it is (5V - 0V)/1k, while others argue that additional currents may need to be considered.
  • Participants experiment with LaTeX commands to format mathematical expressions, discussing how to properly use the "|" character in their equations.
  • One participant presents two different equations for a node, questioning the origin of a constant in one of the equations.
  • There are multiple tests and clarifications regarding LaTeX formatting, with participants sharing their findings and solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct calculation of current in the circuit, with no consensus reached on the specific expressions to use. Additionally, there is ongoing experimentation with LaTeX formatting, indicating a shared interest but no definitive resolution on best practices.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion about the circuit configuration and the meaning of certain terms, indicating that assumptions about the circuit's layout may not be clear to all. The discussion also highlights the challenges of using LaTeX for formatting mathematical expressions, which may vary among participants.

esmeco
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I was wondering,when we have a voltage source connected to a node in series with a resistance connected to the ground like this: ,when determining the current on the branches through node method is the current on that branch 5/1k or v1+5/1k?

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/esmeco/branchcurrent.jpg


and a resistance co
 
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The current across the resistor is:

[tex]\frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} | V_g = 0[/tex]

Ground is a node voltage also, you just define it as [itex]0V[/itex]

On a side note, if someone reads this thread...how do I make the "|" larger in LaTeX?
 
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FrogPad said:
The current across the resistor is:

[tex]\frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} | V_g = 0[/tex]

Ground is a node voltage also, you just define it as [itex]0V[/itex]

On a side note, if someone reads this thread...how do I make the "|" larger in LaTeX?

Test:

[tex]\left| \frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} \, \right| \, V_g = 0[/tex]

hmm...was trying the \left and \right command which works for brackets \left( content \right). I only got it to work with a leading \left| command to go with the \right|.

Test2:

[tex]\frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} \, \Bigg| \, V_g = 0[/tex]

Test3, finally got it :smile:

[tex]| \big| \Big| \bigg| \Bigg|[/tex]
 
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nazzard said:
Test:

[tex]\frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} \, \right| \, V_g = 0[/tex]

hmm...was trying the \left and \right command which works for brackets \left( content \right)
I must be brain dead (well, it is Friday afternoon, and it's been a tough week). What equation are you guys trying to write (a power?), and what is the "|" character supposed to be? Sorry if I'm being totally lame. Maybe I should go home... :rolleyes:
 
So,the current that passes through the branch where is the voltage source in series with a resistance is (5v-0v)/1k?
 
esmeco said:
So,the current that passes through the branch where is the voltage source in series with a resistance is (5v-0v)/1k?
Nope, not necessarily. If you erase the little stub at the lower left that is labelled I1, and the little stub off the lower right that goes nowhere, then the loop current is 5V/(R1+R2). But if you inject some extra I1 current in that lower left stub (without showing it in a standard way, BTW) or something-something at the lower right stub, then you need to take that into account...
 
nazzard said:
Test:

[tex]\left| \frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} \, \right| \, V_g = 0[/tex]

hmm...was trying the \left and \right command which works for brackets \left( content \right). I only got it to work with a leading \left| command to go with the \right|.

Test2:

[tex]\frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} \, \Bigg| \, V_g = 0[/tex]

Test3, finally got it :smile:

[tex]| \big| \Big| \bigg| \Bigg|[/tex]

:smile: :smile:

thanks man!

Yeah I was trying the \left and \right commands, but wasn't getting it either. Well cool. I didn't know about the big commands. Thanks again :)
 
berkeman said:
I must be brain dead (well, it is Friday afternoon, and it's been a tough week). What equation are you guys trying to write (a power?), and what is the "|" character supposed to be? Sorry if I'm being totally lame. Maybe I should go home... :rolleyes:

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) = t(x+y+z)[/tex]

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) \, \Bigg| \, \begin{array}{c} x=y=z=1 & t =4 \end{array} \,\,\, = 2(1+1+1)[/tex]

I believe it means evaluated at, or where...
 
FrogPad said:
The current across the resistor is:

[tex]\frac{V_1-V_g}{1k} | V_g = 0[/tex]

Ground is a node voltage also, you just define it as [itex]0V[/itex]

On a side note, if someone reads this thread...how do I make the "|" larger in LaTeX?
And to clarify this above, it would be:
[tex]I_{R1} = \frac{V_1-V_g}{1k}=\frac{V_1 -(0)}{1k} = \frac{5}{1k}[/tex]
 
  • #10
But the equation for the node on the left(since the other node is ground) is:

1 + (v1-0)/1k + 5/1k=0

Or is:

1 + (v1-0)/1k + (v1-5)/1k=0

Edit:Thanks for the reply!
 
  • #11
FrogPad said:
[tex]f(x,y,z,t) = t(x+y+z)[/tex]

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) \, \Bigg| \, \begin{array}{c} x=y=z=1 & t =4 \end{array} \,\,\, = 2(1+1+1)[/tex]

I believe it means evaluated at, or where...
Ohhhhh! Evaluated at! Now I get what you were trying to do. But the evaluation condition would normally be in smaller font, down at the bottom of the long vertical line, I believe. At least that's how I've seen it before.

I feel much better now. Have a good weekend, all.
 
  • #12
berkeman said:
Ohhhhh! Evaluated at! Now I get what you were trying to do. But the evaluation condition would normally be in smaller font, down at the bottom of the long vertical line, I believe. At least that's how I've seen it before.
:smile: Yeah. I don't know how to do that in LaTeX though :frown:

berkeman said:
I feel much better now. Have a good weekend, all.
You too man, have a good one!
 
  • #13
FrogPad said:
[tex]f(x,y,z,t) = t(x+y+z)[/tex]

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) \, \Bigg| \, \begin{array}{c} x=y=z=1 & t =4 \end{array} \,\,\, = 2(1+1+1)[/tex]

I believe it means evaluated at, or where...

Another test-session:

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) \, \Big|_{\substack {x=y=z=1 \\ t =4}} \, = 2(1+1+1)[/tex]

_{\substack{content}} does the trick. Not sure if it could be placed further down, so that the equals sign is placed more to the left.
 
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  • #14
esmeco said:
But the equation for the node on the left(since the other node is ground) is:

1 + (v1-0)/1k + 5/1k=0

Or is:

1 + (v1-0)/1k + (v1-5)/1k=0

Edit:Thanks for the reply!

Where is the 1 from!?

esmeco said:
But the equation for the node on the left
I don't know what this means. Label the node you are talking about, and post that circuit.For sake of clarity. Let's just assume that your circuit is a single loop. Thus those little branches at the bottom are not connected to anything, so they therefore have no current running through them.

so your circuit looks something like this:
Code:
   ____/\/\/______
  |                     |
  |                     |
( + )                  |
( - )                   |--|||
  |                     |
  |____/\/\/_____|

Now if you want to use nodal analysis, you have use a super node. So you label TWO nodes. Both are on the left hand side. One you have already labeled V1, the other let's call V0 (and this is in the bottom left hand corner).

The super node expression is:
[tex]\frac{V_0-V_g}{R_2}+\frac{V_1-V_g}{R_1}=0[/tex]

You write the expression for the voltage:
[tex]V_1-V_0 = 5[/tex]

And also note that Vg is defined as 0V so:

[tex]V_g = 0[/tex]

THUS,
[tex]\frac{V_0}{R_2}+\frac{V_1}{R_1}=0[/tex]
[tex]V_1-V_0 = 5[/tex]

Does that make sense?
 
  • #15
nazzard said:
Another test-session:

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) \, \Big|_{\substack {x=y=z=1 \\ t =4}} \, = 2(1+1+1)[/tex]

dude you are the man at LaTeX! :smile:

To be really picky :biggrin: do you know how to left-justify the expression at the evaluated-at symbol?
 
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  • #16
FrogPad said:
dude you are the man at LaTeX! :smile:

To be really picky :biggrin: do you know how to left-justify the expression at the evaluated-at symbol?

I'm just clicking on various examples in the following thread :wink:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=8997

[tex]f(x,y,z,t) \, \Big|_{\begin{subarray}{l} x=y=z=1 \\ t =4 \end{subarray}} \, = 2(1+1+1)[/tex]
 
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  • #17

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