What is the correct equation for calculating the currents in this circuit?

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The discussion focuses on using Kirchhoff's rules to calculate the currents I1, I2, and I3 in a given circuit. The initial equations derived include I1 + I2 - I3 = 0 and two loop equations involving voltage sources. However, a mistake is identified in the equation for the right inner loop, which should be corrected to -20I2 - 20I3 + 30 = 0. The user confirms that the direction of the loop affects the equation, leading to confusion about the correct formulation. Ultimately, the correct values for the currents are I1 = 4, I2 = 1.5, and I3 = 5.5 Amps.
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Homework Statement



Use Kirchhoff's rules to find the currents I1, I2 and I3 shown in the circuit below:

[PLAIN]http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/3640/13608736.gif

The Attempt at a Solution



Kirchhoff's junction law gives: I1+I2-I3=0

I have calculated the voltage rise/drop in the left inner loop containing the 10-V battery:

10-10I1+20I2=0

Also in the right inner loop containing the 30-V battery:

30-20I2-20I3=0

So we have the 3 equations:

I1+I2-I3=0
-10I1+20I2=-10
-20I2-20I3=-30

We can pust this in a matrix to solve for the three currents:

\begin{pmatrix}1&1&-1&0\\-10&20&0&-10\\0&-20&-20&-30\end{pmatrix}

which row reduces to

\begin{pmatrix}1&0&0&2.2\\0&1&0&-0.3\\0&0&1&1.8\end{pmatrix}

So I1= 2.2, I2=-0.3 and I3=1.8, but this is wrong. The correct answer must be I1=4, I2=1.5, I3=5.5 Amps.

So, what's wrong with my calculations? :confused:
 
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-20I2-20I3=-30

This equation is wrong. Check it.
 
rl.bhat said:
-20I2-20I3=-30

This equation is wrong. Check it.

So what is the correct equation for that? I have checked it, if the direction assigned to the loop is clockwise, we have -20I2-20I3+30=0. What's the problem? :confused:
 
roam said:
So what is the correct equation for that? I have checked it, if the direction assigned to the loop is clockwise, we have -20I2-20I3+30=0. What's the problem? :confused:

for I3 there is no resistance for fall of potential.
 
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