Voltage problems & Kirchhoff's rules

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the application of Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) in closed-loop circuits and the confusion surrounding its use compared to the capacitor voltage formula V = Q/C. The user notes that while using V = Q/C yielded correct results for finding potential in capacitors, it did not align with the principle that the sum of all voltages in a closed loop equals zero (ƩV = 0). The conversation highlights the importance of understanding when to apply KVL versus using the capacitor formula, particularly in closed-loop circuits.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
  • Familiarity with capacitor equations, specifically V = Q/C
  • Basic knowledge of electrical circuits and closed-loop systems
  • Concept of electric potential and voltage in circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Kirchhoff's Voltage Law in detail, including its applications in complex circuits
  • Explore examples of closed-loop circuits to see KVL in action
  • Learn about the relationship between charge, voltage, and capacitance in capacitors
  • Investigate common misconceptions in circuit analysis and how to avoid them
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Physics students, electrical engineering students, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of circuit analysis and the application of Kirchhoff's rules in electrical engineering.

smile0401
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I'm getting confused with the problems that ask you to find potential and when to use the rule that the sum of all the V = 0.
There were a lot of questions in my physics book that ask to find a potential in each capacitors and when i was doing those, i just used V = Q/C instead of Kirchhoff's rules (and the answers were right). In those questions, the values of V didn't add up to 0.
But then later, the book started using that ƩV = 0... and now the V values actually adds up to 0... and I'm really confused when Kirchhoff's rules apply...
The book says it applies to all closed-loop circuits. but the ones that asked to find potential with V = Q/C were also closed-loop circuits. mmm...
Can anyone please explain this to me? :O
 
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Im sure,and confident,that all closed loop circuits you solved using Q=CV, or any other formula in the word, The sum total of potential changes were ALWAYS Zero.Please post such an example,and people will be happy to clarify
 

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