How can Kirchoff's rules be used to determine current values in a circuit?

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Kirchoff's rules can be applied to calculate current values in a circuit by using the junction rule and Ohm's law. The circuit in question has an emf of 9V and various resistances, leading to the initial calculation of I1 as 0.741 A. The relationship I1 = I2 + I3 is crucial for finding the other currents, with I2 calculated as 0.345 A and I3 as 0.396 A. A mix-up in the submission of these values was noted, indicating potential errors in online assessments. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of careful application of circuit laws to derive accurate current values.
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Homework Statement



Use Kirchoff's rules to determine I1, I2 and I3 for the following circuit: https://chip.physics.purdue.edu/protected/Prelab221img/e4pp2.jpg

E1 = emf = 9 V
r = internal resistance = 1.5 ohms
R1 = 5 ohms
R2 = 15 ohms
R3 = 22.75 ohms

Find I1, I2, I3


Homework Equations



V=IR
I(R1+R2) = V and Req = R1 + R2+ ... for resistors in series
I = emf/R1 + emf/R2 + ... and 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... for resistors in parallel
Krichoff's junction rule Iin-Iout = 0


The Attempt at a Solution


I found I1 to be .741 A by using I=V/R with R being the calculated total resistance: (1.5 + 1/(1/22.75+ 1/20) = 12.14

Now I've been using various combinations of the equations above to get the other two I's but I can't seem to get a correct answer, can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance
 
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I found I1 to be .741 A by using I=V/R with R being the calculated total resistance: (1.5 + 1/(1/22.75+ 1/20) = 12.14
Correct

Now I've been using various combinations of the equations above to get the other two I's but I can't seem to get a correct answer, can someone point me in the right direction?
What exactly were you doing?
Note that I1 = I2 + I3
 
So if I1 = I2 + I3, shouldn't I2 = I1 - I3 = .741 - 9/22.75 = .345?
 
Yup, that's correct.
 
Last edited:
DARN IT, I got .345 for I2 when I first tried the problem, but when I submitted it (online) it was wrong, so I posted here. But when I submit it for I3, it is correct (and .396 is correct when I submit that for I2). I think they must've gotten switched. Thanks for the help though, ranger.
 
:smile: I see what you mean. When I double checked them with the current divider rule, I noticed the same thing. Its just a small mix up, that's all.
 
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