# Something I don't understand about kirchhoff's laws

## Homework Statement

The value displayed on the ampetmeter is 2A.
The value displayed on the voltmeter is 5V
Find the unknown ε and R

## The Attempt at a Solution

I have the correct equations, I am sure of it. However on of them is:
2*2+2*10-ε-RI1=0
How do I know if RI1 (I1 is the current on the "branch" with the unknown R) is 5 or -5? The correct answer is -5, because the answer is 29. How do I know this? Why can't it be 5?

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phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
It can be 5 or -5 depending on which way you have drawn your current arrow.

## Homework Statement

The value displayed on the ampetmeter is 2A.
The value displayed on the voltmeter is 5V
Find the unknown ε and R

## The Attempt at a Solution

I have the correct equations, I am sure of it. However on of them is:
2*2+2*10-ε-RI1=0
How do I know if RI1 (I1 is the current on the "branch" with the unknown R) is 5 or -5? The correct answer is -5, because the answer is 29. How do I know this? Why can't it be 5?
Since you have not shown your assumed current direction in the loop on the diagram I have to assume that your difficulty is that you drew the arrow such that the answer is -5 instead of the +5 you would prefer. Reverse your arrow and you'll get +5

It can be 5 or -5 depending on which way you have drawn your current arrow.

Since you have not shown your assumed current direction in the loop on the diagram I have to assume that your difficulty is that you drew the arrow such that the answer is -5 instead of the +5 you would prefer. Reverse your arrow and you'll get +5
The direction isn't supposed to matter, I am supposed to get the same answer, and I don't know the answer beforehand so I can't do what you suggested.

phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
The direction isn't supposed to matter, I am supposed to get the same answer, and I don't know the answer beforehand so I can't do what you suggested.
That makes no sense.

That makes no sense.
What do you mean? There is only one correct answer, 29, what I am asking is how can I know if it's 29 and not 19 using what was given to me.

phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
What do you mean? There is only one correct answer, 29, what I am asking is how can I know if it's 29 and not 19 using what was given to me.
Draw DIRECTION ARROWS on the diagram for ALL voltages and currents and then we can talk more.

Draw DIRECTION ARROWS on the diagram for ALL voltages and currents and then we can talk more.

My equations:
I3=I1+I2
12I2-ε-RI1=0
RI1+6+3I3=0
(Again, no idea if RI1 is 5 or -5 and if I2 is 2 or -2).

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phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
12I2-ε ??? Since the voltages are going in the same direction, why did you subtract when you should have added?

What is the value of I2? You didn't show a sign on the ammeter. Please show directions for ALL voltages and currents.

12I2-ε ??? Since the voltages are going in the same direction, why did you subtract when you should have added?

What is the value of I2? You didn't show a sign on the ammeter. Please show directions for ALL voltages and currents.
From what I understood if the current is headed to the "longer" line you subtract and the opposite. I have solved a lot of problems so far and it always worked for me.

If I understood you correctly the equations should be:
I3=I1+I2
12I2+ε-RI1=0
RI1-6+3I3=0
Still no idea if RI1 is 5 or -5 and if I2 is 2 or -2.

phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
Please show directions for ALL voltages and currents. I'm just going to keep saying that until you do it. I don't consider that there is anything to discuss without a complete circuit diagram.

phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
From what I understood if the current is headed to the "longer" line you subtract and the opposite. I have solved a lot of problems so far and it always worked for me.
I have no idea what that means but it doesn't sound good.

I have no idea what that means but it doesn't sound good.
Not a native speaker, I am talking about the voltage source.

Please show directions for ALL voltages and currents. I'm just going to keep saying that until you do it. I don't consider that there is anything to discuss without a complete circuit diagram.
I really don't know what you are talking about.

Please show directions for ALL voltages and currents. I'm just going to keep saying that until you do it. I don't consider that there is anything to discuss without a complete circuit diagram.

Is this good enough?

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phinds
Gold Member
2019 Award
Not really, but it will have to do. When I say ALL what I actually mean is ALL. For example, there is a voltage across the 2ohm resistor and it will have a value of 2I2 with the arrow pointing to the right. You did not show this voltage, nor did you show any of the other voltages across the resistors. You see what I mean here? Once you have REALLY and properly labeled ALL of the currents and voltages then correctly writing loop equations is trivial and you can't confuse yourself about which way things go and it is also trivially easy for others to follow your logic and point out any mistakes.

I'm getting ready to cook dinner so I'll be back later and look at this again

gneill
Mentor
The way I see it you have four possible cases where you consider the each possible "direction" for the readings. So, for example, the value for your assumed $I2$ could be +2 A or - 2 A. I suppose that some of the cases will lead to either contradictions or unrealistic values for components (Such as the sign of ε not matching its drawn symbol, or a negative value for R).

phinds