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

  • Thread starter Thread starter Azndude51
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuits Rules
AI Thread Summary
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.
Azndude51
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

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
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'
Hello guys this is what I tried so far. I used the UTS to calculate the force it needs when the rope tears. My idea was to make a relationship/ function that would give me the force depending on height. Yeah i couldnt find a way to solve it. I also thought about how I could use hooks law (how it was given to me in my script) with the thought of instead of having two part of a rope id have one singular rope from the middle to the top where I could find the difference in height. But the...
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Back
Top