# Using Kirchhoff's laws to find current in a circuit

1. Sep 4, 2012

### november1992

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Use KCL and KVL to determine the currents I1 to I3 in the circuit below:

2. Relevant equations

Ʃ$v_{n}$ = 0
Ʃ$i_{n}$ = 0
v=ir

3. The attempt at a solution
I got two different answers for $I_{1}$ using the two different laws. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right.

KVL @ loop 1: -18 + 6 + 8$I_{1}$ = 0
8 $I_{1}$ = 12
$I_{1}$ = 1.5A

KCL @ node a: 3 = $I_{1}$ + $I_{2}$ + 1
KCL @ node b: $I_{3}$ = 1 + $I_{2}$

0 = $I_{1}$ + $I_{2}$ -2
0 = -1 - $I_{2}$ + $I_{3}$
1 = $I_{3}$
0 = $I_{2}$
2 = $I_{1}$

2. Sep 4, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

Your KVL solution for I1 is correct. For the KCL solution, you have 3 unknowns but you have only written 2 equations. That isn't sufficient to solve for I1 yet...

3. Sep 4, 2012

### november1992

Could I substitute the value that I got for I1 from the KVL equation into KCL?
I wasn't sure if I could do that because I thought the question was asking me to find the values separately using the two different laws.

4. Sep 4, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

It does sound like they want you to solve the circuit with each technique separately. It's a pretty easy circuit to solve by inspection anyway, so they must want you to go through all the steps of each technique separately for practice.

So can you see another node where you could write a 3rd KCL equation?

5. Sep 4, 2012

### november1992

The one between the 8 ohm and 4 ohm resistor?

6. Sep 4, 2012

### Staff: Mentor

That might work...

7. Sep 4, 2012

### november1992

nvm I figured it out, thanks for the help.

Last edited: Sep 4, 2012