Physics : Circuts lAb kirchhoff's nodes HELP.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a lab experiment involving a circuit with two batteries and three resistors, where the original poster is seeking assistance with applying Kirchhoff's laws to analyze the circuit. The poster has recorded the currents and is attempting to formulate the theoretical equations based on their observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster presents their equations for the circuit loops and expresses uncertainty about their correctness and the next steps. Some participants suggest clarifying the circuit diagram and the direction of currents to avoid confusion. Others note the importance of formulating the equations correctly and mention the need for a node equation in addition to the loop equations.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the problem. There is a focus on ensuring the equations are set up correctly and understanding the circuit layout. Multiple interpretations of the circuit are being explored, particularly regarding the arrangement of the batteries and resistors.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific values for the voltages and resistances, but the original poster questions whether all necessary variables have been provided. The discussion also highlights the need for clarity in the circuit diagram and notation used in the equations.

alangmix
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Homework Statement




I have just done a lab and I am very confused on what to do.

2 batteries 3 resistors - 3 currents -> received by testing.

So i have to do the theoretical equations

ive done the lab and got the currents

and so far I've came up with this.


( -V2 + Vt1 - V1 ) for the first loop
-> also (- i 2 R 2) + Vt1 + ( - i 1 R 1) idk if this is correct

and

( V3 - Vt2 + V2)

and ( i 3 r 3 ) - Vt2 + ( i 2 r 2 )


im not sure what I am supposed to do. Plug in the givens?

i think i need two kirchhoff equation

1 node equation .

just very confused

Vt1 - 5v
vt2 - 4 v

R1 - 750 ohms
R2 - 100 ohms
r3 - 750 ohms

am i supposed to just find the equation? or is there a variable that's not given?

i want to LEARN how to do it so if someone could explain it would be nice

thanks in advance


Homework Equations



The only one i know is

V = IR

and some others for kirchhoff which i came up with going according:

1. I = current going against "Pattern" (ABCDE) = -

I = current going with the "Pattern" = +




The Attempt at a Solution




I have given this above
 
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welcome to pf!

hi alangmix! welcome to pf! :smile:

(try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)

before i go any further, is this a letter "B", with two batteries on the left, both facing the same way, and three resistors on each of the three horizontals?
alangmix said:

Homework Equations



The only one i know is

V = IR

and some others for kirchhoff which i came up with going according:

1. I = current going against "Pattern" (ABCDE) = -

I = current going with the "Pattern" = +

yes, that's correct …

for that reason, the most important thing in any question on Kirchhoff's rules is to start by drawing the circuit with arrows showing the current direction, so that you don't get confused about when to use + and when to use - (it doesn't matter if you draw the arrow the wrong way … it just means that that current will come out as minus)
( -V2 + Vt1 - V1 ) for the first loop

i've never seen that notation before (what does the "t" stand for?), but i see what i means, and yes it's perfectly correct :smile:
-> also (- i 2 R 2) + Vt1 + ( - i 1 R 1) idk if this is correct

and

( V3 - Vt2 + V2)

and ( i 3 r 3 ) - Vt2 + ( i 2 r 2 )

you may have got the sign of i2R2 wrong, but i can't tell without knowing whether the two batteries are pointing the same way or not

and anyway these should be equations, so they must end "= 0" :wink:
im not sure what I am supposed to do. Plug in the givens?

i think i need two kirchhoff equation

1 node equation .

(btw, they're all Kirchhoff equations … KVL and KCL, or loop and node :wink:)

yes, those are your two loop equations, and you need a node equation also, only involving the currents …

then you can happily plug and chug :smile:
 
thanks for the help and
the circuit is like this


_______resistor 1 ___________l___ _______resistor 3 _____________
l l
Battery 1 -------------------- resistor 2 -------------------------battery 2
l l
l______________-_________________l_________-________________lcurrent for both batteries going upward hence- creating two loops.

did i get what i wrote correct?

what else am i missing ?
 
hi alangmix! :smile:

sorry, but i don't understand your diagram :confused:

can you just describe the circuit in detail?
 
It goes from battery one to resistor 1 -> while the other battery on the other side attaches itself to resistor 3 and in the middle is resistor 2. ABCDEF as the whole circuit.

Edit :

B -> is not the battery. just simply the format of the circuit board

on the first post. the T stands for Voltage Total. for battery 1 and battery 2
 
Last edited:
Try drawing your ascii circuit diagram using an editor with a fixed width font (for example, use Notepad and a Courier font), then copy and paste it into a CODE block in a Physics Forum reply. A CODE block is like a QUOTE block, only use the word CODE instead of QUOTE in the tags. The formatting shouldn't be messed with inside such a block. For example:

Code:
     +---R1----+-----R2----+
    +|         |          +|
    --- V1     R3      V2 ---
     -         |           -
     |         |           |
     +---------+-----------+
 

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