Chapter 8

Direct Current Circuits

 ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
All you need to be an inventor is a good
imagination and a pile of junk.
-Thomas Edison
How you should be thinking
about electric circuits:

Voltage: a force that

pushes the current
through the circuit (in
this picture it would be
equivalent to gravity)
How you should be thinking
about electric circuits:

Resistance: friction that

impedes flow of current
through the circuit
(rocks in the river)
How you should be thinking
about electric circuits:

Current: the actual

substance that is
flowing through the
wires of the circuit
(electrons!)
Would This Work?
Would This Work?
Would This Work?
The Central Concept: Closed Circuit
 circuit diagram
Scientists usually draw electric circuits using symbols;

cell lamp switch wires

Simple Circuits
Series circuit
All in a row
1 path for electricity
1 light goes out and the
circuit is broken

Parallel circuit
Many paths for electricity
1 light goes out and the
others stay on
 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?

2W
3W 1W
12 V
Example 1 (Cont.): Show that the voltage drops
across the three resistors totals the 12-V emf.

2W
3W 1W
12 V
 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 in the circuit below:
D A

2W -

3W 18 V

3V
+

- +
C B
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
I2 + I 4 + I 6 = I T

For Series Resistors:

Series Connection:
I2 = I 4 = I 6 = I T
2W 4W 6W V2 + V4 + V6 = VT
 Equivalent Resistance: Parallel
VT = V1 = V2 = V3 Parallel Connection:
IT = I 1 + I 2 + I 3 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.
VT R1 R2 R3

2W 4W 6W
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

2W 4W 6W

12 V
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

2W 4W 6W

12 V
 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.
R1
In such cases, its best
to use rules for series VT R2 R3
and parallel resistances
to reduce the circuit to
a simple circuit
containing one source
VT Re
of emf and one
equivalent resistance.
Example 4. Find the equivalent resistance for the
circuit drawn below (assume VT = 12 V).
4W (3 W)(6 W)
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

I6
V6 4 V
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
Exercises:
1. A battery supplies 6 A to a series combination of a
10 resistor and an unknown resistance. When a
4 resistor is connected in parallel across the
unknown resistance, the total current increases to
8 A. Calculate the voltage supplied by the source
and the value of the unknown resistance
Exercises:
2. Three resistors R1, R2 and R3 are connected in
series-parallel with R1 in series with the parallel
combination of R2 and R3. The whole combination
is connected across a 120 V DC source. Resistors
R1, R2 and R3 take 750 W, 250 W and 200 W
respectively. Calculate the resistance R2.
Exercises:
3. For the given circuit with RT = 2 and I1 = I2. Find
R1 and R2.

3 R1
I2
3

12V

2 I1 2 R2
 Exercises:
4. Refer to the circuit below, solve for RT
and V across 25 .

30 40 50
5

10V
10 15 55
25 45
5V 65 70
20
35
60
20V
 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

 Exercises:
1. Use KVL and KCL to solve for currents I1, I2 and
I3.

I1 I3

100k I2 300k
20V 7V
300k
 Exercises:
2. Determine I1 and I2.
I1

6 12
I2 I3
12V 6A 4
3
 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
 Reference
A PowerPoint Presentation by
Paul E. Tippens, Professor of Physics
Southern Polytechnic State University

2007