Chapter 28A - Direct Current Circuits

A PowerPoint Presentation by
Paul E. Tippens, Professor of Physics
Southern Polytechnic State University

2007
Objectives: After completing this
module, you should be able to:
Determine the effective resistance
for a number of resistors connected
in series and in parallel.
For simple and complex circuits,
determine the voltage and current
for each resistor.
Apply Kirchoffs laws to find currents
and voltages in complex circuits.
 Electrical Circuit Symbols
Electrical circuits often contain one or more
resistors grouped together and attached to
an energy source, such as a battery.
The following symbols are often used:
Ground Battery Resistor
+ -

+ - + -
- + - + -
 Resistances in Series
Resistors are said to be connected in series
when there is a single path for the current.
The current I is the same for
R1 each resistor R1, R2 and R3.
I R2
VT R3 The energy gained through E
is lost through R1, R2 and R3.
Only one current
The same is true for voltages:

For series I = I1 = I2 = I3
connections: VT = V1 + V2 + V3
Equivalent Resistance: Series
The equivalent resistance Re of a number of
resistors connected in series is equal to the
sum of the individual resistances.

VT = V1 + V2 + V3 ; (V = IR)
R1 ITRe = I1R1+ I2R2 + I3R3
I R2
VT R3 But . . . IT = I1 = I2 = I3

Equivalent Resistance Re = R1 + R2 + R3
Example 1: Find the equivalent resistance Re.
What is the current I in the circuit?
Re = R1 + R2 + R3
2W
3W 1W Re = 3 W + 2 W + 1 W = 6 W
12 V
Equivalent Re = 6 W

The current is found from Ohms law: V = IRe

V 12 V
I I=2A
Re 6 W
Example 1 (Cont.): Show that the voltage drops
across the three resistors totals the 12-V emf.
Re = 6 W I=2A
2W
3W 1W
Current I = 2 A same in each R.
12 V
V1 = IR1; V2 = IR2; V3 = IR3

V1 = (2 A)(1 W) = 2 V V1 + V2 + V3 = VT

V1 = (2 A)(2 W) = 4 V 2 V + 4 V + 6 V = 12 V

V1 = (2 A)(3 W) = 6 V Check !
 Sources of EMF in Series
The output direction from a - + b
a
source of emf is from + side: E
Thus, from a to b the potential increases by E;
From b to a, the potential decreases by E.
A
Example: Find DV for path AB -
and then for path BA. R
9V
AB: DV = +9 V 3 V = +6 V 3V

+
- +
BA: DV = +3 V - 9 V = -6 V B
 A Single Complete Circuit
Consider the simple series circuit drawn below:
D A Path ABCD: Energy and V
2W -
increase through the 15-V
4W 15 V source and decrease
3V through the 3-V source.
+
- +
C B E =15 V - 3 V = 12 V

The net gain in potential is lost through the two

resistors: these voltage drops are IR2 and IR4,
so that the sum is zero for the entire loop.
 Finding I in a Simple Circuit.
Example 2: Find the current I in the circuit below:
D A E = 18 V 3 V 15 V
2W -
R =3 W + 2 W 5 W
3W 18 V
3V Applying Ohms law:
+
- +
C B E 15 V
I I=3A
R 5 W

In general for a E
I
single loop circuit: R
Summary: Single Loop Circuits:

R2
Resistance Rule: Re = R
E E2
Current : I R1
R E1

Voltage Rule: E = IR
 Complex Circuits
A complex circuit is one
containing more than a
I3
single loop and different
current paths. R3 E2
R1
At junctions m and n: m n
I1 = I2 + I3 or I2 + I3 = I1 I1
R2 E1
Junction Rule:
I2
I (enter) = I (leaving)
 Parallel Connections
Resistors are said to be connected in parallel
when there is more than one path for current.
For Parallel Resistors:
Parallel Connection:
V2 = V4 = V6 = VT
2W 4W 6W
I 2 + I 4 + I6 = I T

For Series Resistors:

Series Connection:
I 2 = I 4 = I6 = I T
2W 4W 6W V2 + V4 + V6 = VT
Equivalent Resistance: Parallel
VT = V1 = V2 = V3 Parallel Connection:
IT = I1 + I2 + I3 VT
R1 R2 R3
V
Ohms law: I
R
VT V1 V2 V3 1 1 1 1

Re R1 R2 R3 Re R1 R2 R3
N
The equivalent resistance 1

1
for Parallel resistors: Re i 1 Ri
 Example 3. Find the equivalent resistance
Re for the three resistors below.
N
1 1
VT R1 R2 R3
Re i 1 Ri
2W 4W 6W
1 1 1 1

Re R1 R2 R3
1 1 1 1
0.500 0.250 0.167
Re 2 W 4 W 6 W
1 1
0.917; Re 1.09 W Re = 1.09 W
Re 0.917

For parallel resistors, Re is less than the least Ri.

Example 3 (Cont.): Assume a 12-V emf is
connected to the circuit as shown. What is
the total current leaving the source of emf?

VT R1 R2 R3 VT = 12 V; Re = 1.09 W
2W 4W 6W V1 = V2 = V3 = 12 V
12 V IT = I1 + I2 + I3

V VT 12 V
Ohms Law: I Ie
R Re 1.09 W

Total current: IT = 11.0 A

 Example 3 (Cont.): Show that the current
leaving the source IT is the sum of the
currents through the resistors R1, R2, and R3.

VT R1 R2 R3 IT = 11 A; Re = 1.09 W
2W 4W 6W V1 = V2 = V3 = 12 V
12 V IT = I1 + I2 + I3
12 V 12 V 12 V
I1 6A I2 3A I3 2A
2W 4W 6W

6 A + 3 A + 2 A = 11 A Check !
Short Cut: Two Parallel Resistors
The equivalent resistance Re for two parallel
resistors is the product divided by the sum.
1 1 1 R1 R2
; Re
Re R1 R2 R1 R2

Example: (3 W)(6 W)
VT R1 R2 Re
3W 6 W
6W 3W
Re = 2 W
Series and Parallel Combinations
In complex circuits resistors are often connected
in both series and parallel. R
1

In such cases, its best to VT R2 R3

use rules for series and
parallel resistances to
reduce the circuit to a
simple circuit containing
one source of emf and VT Re
one equivalent resistance.
Example 4. Find the equivalent resistance for
the circuit drawn below (assume VT = 12 V).
(3 W)(6 W)
4W R3,6 2W
3W 6 W
VT 3W 6W
Re = 4 W + 2 W
Re = 6 W

4W

12 V 2W 12 V 6W
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the total current IT.
Re = 6 W
4W
VT 12 V
VT 3W 6W I
Re 6 W

IT = 2.00 A

4W
IT
12 V 2W 12 V 6W
 Example 3 (Cont.) Find the currents and the
voltages across each resistor.

4W I4 = I T = 2 A

VT 3W 6W V4 = (2 A)(4 W) = 8 V

The remainder of the voltage: (12 V 8 V = 4 V)

drops across EACH of the parallel resistors.

This can also be found from

V3 = V6 = 4 V V3,6 = I3,6R3,6 = (2 A)(2 W)

(Continued . . .)
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the currents and voltages
across each resistor.

V4 = 8 V V6 = V3 = 4 V 4W

V3 4 V VT 3W 6W
I3 I3 = 1.33 A
R3 3 W
V6 4 V
I6 I6 = 0.667 A I4 = 2 A
R6 6 W

Note that the junction rule is satisfied:

I (enter) = I (leaving) IT = I4 = I3 + I6
Kirchoffs Laws for DC Circuits
Kirchoffs first law: The sum of the currents
entering a junction is equal to the sum of the
currents leaving that junction.

Junction Rule: I (enter) = I (leaving)

Kirchoffs second law: The sum of the emfs

around any closed loop must equal the sum
of the IR drops around that same loop.

Voltage Rule: E = IR
 Sign Conventions for Emfs
When applying Kirchoffs laws you must
assume a consistent, positive tracing direction.
When applying the voltage rule, emfs are
positive if normal output direction of the emf is
with the assumed tracing direction.

If tracing from A to B, this +

A B
emf is considered positive. E

If tracing from B to A, this +

A B
emf is considered negative. E
 Signs of IR Drops in Circuits
When applying the voltage rule, IR drops are
positive if the assumed current direction is
with the assumed tracing direction.

If tracing from A to B, this +

A B
IR drop is positive. I

If tracing from B to A, this +

A B
IR drop is negative.
I
 Kirchoffs Laws: Loop I
1. Assume possible consistent +
flow of currents.
2. Indicate positive output I1
directions for emfs. R1 Loop I E1
3. Indicate consistent tracing E2 R2
direction. (clockwise)
I2
Junction Rule: I2 = I1 + I3 R3 E3
I3
Voltage Rule: E = IR
E1 + E2 = I1R1 + I2R2
 Kirchoffs Laws: Loop II
4. Voltage rule for Loop II:
Bottom Loop (II)
Assume counterclockwise
positive tracing direction. I1
R1 Loop I E1
Voltage Rule: E = IR
E2 R2
E2 + E3 = I2R2 + I3R3
I2
Would the same equation R3 Loop II E3
apply if traced clockwise? I3
Yes! - E2 - E3 = -I2R2 - I3R3
+
 Kirchoffs laws: Loop III
5. Voltage rule for Loop III: Outer Loop (III)
+
Assume counterclockwise
positive tracing direction. I1
R1 Loop I E1
Voltage Rule: E = IR
E2 R2
E3 E1 = -I1R1 + I3R3
I2
Would the same equation R3 Loop II E3
apply if traced clockwise? I3
Yes! E3 - E1 = I1R1 - I3R3
+
 Four Independent Equations
6. Thus, we now have four Outer Loop (III)
+
independent equations
from Kirchoffs laws: I1
R1 Loop I E1
I2 = I 1 + I 3 E2 R2

E1 + E2 = I1R1 + I2R2
I2
E2 + E3 = I2R2 + I3R3 R3 Loop II E3
I3
E3 - E1 = -I1R1 + I3R3
+
 Example 4. Use Kirchoffs laws to find the
currents in the circuit drawn to the right.

Junction Rule: I2 + I3 = I1 +

Consider Loop I tracing I1 5 W

clockwise to obtain: Loop I 12 V
Voltage Rule: E = IR 10 W

12 V = (5 W)I1 + (10 W)I2 I2

20 W
Recalling that V/W = A, gives
I3
5I1 + 10I2 = 12 A
6V
Example 5 (Cont.) Finding the currents.

Consider Loop II tracing

clockwise to obtain:
I1 5 W
Voltage Rule: E = IR
12 V
6 V = (20 W)I3 - (10 W)I2 10 W

Simplifying: Divide by 2 I2
and V/W = A, gives Loop II 20 W
I3
10I3 - 5I2 = 3 A +
6V
 Example 5 (Cont.) Three independent equations
can be solved for I1, I2, and I3.
(1) I2 + I3 = I1

(2) 5I1 + 10I2 = 12 A I1 5 W

12 V
(3) 10I3 - 5I2 = 3 A 10 W

Substitute Eq.(1) for I1 in (2): I2

5(I2 + I3) + 10I3 = 12 A Loop II 20 W
Simplifying gives: I3
+
5I2 + 15I3 = 12 A 6V
Example 5 (Cont.) Three independent
equations can be solved.
(1) I2 + I3 = I1 (3) 10I3 - 5I2 = 3 A

(2) 5I1 + 10I2 = 12 A 15I3 + 5I2 = 12 A

Eliminate I2 by adding equations above right:

10I3 - 5I2 = 3 A Putting I3 = 0.6 A in (3) gives:
15I3 + 5I2 = 12 A 10(0.6 A) 5I2 = 3 A
25I3 = 15 A I2 = 0.600 A

I3 = 0.600 A Then from (1): I1 = 1.20 A

 Summary of Formulas:
Rules for a simple, single loop circuit
containing a source of emf and resistors.

Single Loop
Resistance Rule: Re = R D A
-
E 2W
Current : I 3W
18 V
R
3V

+
- +
Voltage Rule: E = IR C B
 Summary (Cont.)
For resistors connected in series:

For series I = I1 = I2 = I3
connections: VT = V1 + V2 + V3

Re = R1 + R2 + R3 2W
3W 1W
12 V
Re = R
 Summary (Cont.)
Resistors connected in parallel:

For parallel V = V1 = V2 = V3
connections: IT = I1 + I2 + I3
N
1 1
Parallel Connection
Re i 1 Ri VT R1 R2 R3

2W 4W 6W
R1 R2
Re 12 V
R1 R2
 Summary Kirchoffs Laws
Kirchoffs first law: The sum of the currents
entering a junction is equal to the sum of the
currents leaving that junction.

Junction Rule: I (enter) = I (leaving)

Kirchoffs second law: The sum of the emfs

around any closed loop must equal the sum
of the IR drops around that same loop.

Voltage Rule: E = IR
CONCLUSION: Chapter 28A
Direct Current Circuits