Understanding Voltage Definition and KVL in Electrical Circuits

[ckboii89]

Homework Statement

If KVL was not true, would our definition of Voltage still make sense? Clearly explain and prove your answer

Homework Equations

KVL definition
Voltage definition

The Attempt at a Solution

I said no, because if KVL were not true, then definition of voltage would not make sense. By the law of energy conservation, Energy input = energy output( i may be wrong? but intuitive to me, since a circuit is a closed system). Since voltage by definition is the energy required to move 1C of charge from 1 node to another. The sum of voltages in a closed system must equal 0, since a system cannot have excess energy, as it must be either used,stored or dissipated

Thoughts guys? Proff made this question, and I've never come across a theoretical question like this in a engineering course

 

[Simon Bridge]

You need a statement of the definition of voltage.

 

[ckboii89]

The definition my proff gave me is this: Voltage is the energy required to move 1c of charge from 1 node to another

 

[Simon Bridge]

Generally - one volt is the energy required to move 1 coulomb from one node to the next... what if there is a battery between the two nodes? What if the end node is the same as the start node?

The next step is a statement of what KVL says ... then you want to relate the two.
The KVL requires a specific property of the electric field - besides energy conservation - do you know what it is?

Anyway - the patter for these things is:
1. definition of voltage
2. statement of KVL
3. what does 2 say about 1.
4. if 2. is wrong, what does that say about 1.

For the record: you have the right idea - but you were instructed to be clear.