Kirchoff's Law: Which Direction Does the Current Flow?

[atwong713]

Homework Statement

determine which way the current goes

Homework Equations

kirchoff's current law

The Attempt at a Solution

i say that it is moving away because if i say its positive going into element1 then since its negative its going out of element1 so its moving away from A

 

[Mindscrape]

Based on the problems established conventions, it sounds good to me. The current will never actually reach, nor originate, from terminal A because it is an open circuit with infinite resistance.

Quick edit:
The one thing I don't like is that current is, by a more universally established convention, the flow of positive charges. This is because the electrons are going to get a force that moves them to the positive terminal of the potential, the battery. I think the problem means what I said, and is just poorly worded.

 

[Shooting Star]

i say that it is moving away because if i say its positive going into element1 then since its negative its going out of element1 so its moving away from A

Incorrect. The direction of the flow of the electrons is in the same direction as that of the negative current. Here, the negative 2mA is flowing toward A.

Based on the problems established conventions, it sounds good to me. The current will never actually reach, nor originate, from terminal A because it is an open circuit with infinite resistance.

What is wrong with a current flowing through the closed loop V-1-2?

(The points A and B here probably represents parts of the circuit not shown, and not just open -ended wires.)

 

[Mindscrape]

Oh, well if A-B is just a load then the current could go to it. The circuits I was taught often had open terminals with infinite impedance to make what voltages the problem was looking for more apparent.

But yes, I would agree with you that if we are looking at the actual flow of electrons, rather than the flow of positve charges, it would go towards the terminal.