Direct Current Circuits

Objectives: After completing

this module, you should be
able to:
• Determine the effective
resistance for a number of
resistors connected in series
andsimple
• For in parallel
and. complex circuits,
determine the voltage and
current for each resistor.
• Apply Kirchoff’s 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
Ground used:
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
R1 for each resistor R1, R2
R2
I and R3.
V T R3 The energy gained
through E is lost through
Only one current R1, R2 and R3.
The same is true for
voltages:
For
For series
series II =
= II11 =
= II22 =
= II33
connection
connection VVTT=
= VV11 + + VV22 ++ VV33
s:
s:
 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 =
R1 IR)
R2 ITRe = I1R1+ I2R2 +
I
V T R3 I 3R 3
But . . . IT = I1 = I2 = I3

Equivalent RRee =
= RR11 +
+ RR22 +
+ RR33
Resistance
Example 1: Find the equivalent resistance
Re. What is the current I in the circuit?
Re = R1 + R2 + R3
2
3 1 Re = 3  + 2  + 1 = 6
12 V 
Equivalent
Equivalent RRee =
= 66


The current is found from Ohm’s law: V =
V 12 V IRe
I  II =
= 22 AA
R e 6
Example 1 (Cont.): Show that the voltage
drops across the three resistors totals the
12-V emf.
RRee =
= 66 
 II =
= 22 AA
2
3 1
Current I = 2 A same in
12 V
each R.
V1 = IR1; V2 = IR2; V3 =
IR3
V1 = (2 A)(1 = 2 V1 + V2 + V3 =
V VT
V1 = (2 A)(2 = 4 2 V + 4 V + 6 V = 12
V V
V1 = (2 A)(3 = 6 Check
Check !!
V
 Sources of EMF in Series
The output direction from - + b
a
a source of emf is from + E
side:
Thus, from a to b the potential increases
by E; From b to a, the potential decreases
by E. A
Example: Find V for path -
AB and then for path BA. R
9V
AB: V = +9 V – 3 V = +6 3V

+
V - +
BA: V = +3 V - 9 V = -6 B
V
A Single Complete Circuit
Consider the simple series circuit drawn
below:
D A Path ABCD: Energy and
2 -
V increase through the
4 15 V 15-V source and
3V
+
- + decrease through the
C B 3-V
Esource.
=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
2 -
 R =3  + 2   5 
3 18 V
3V Applying Ohm’s law:
+
- +
C B  E 15 V
I  I=3A
R 5 

In general for a EE

II 

single loop RR
circuit:
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
I3
than a single loop
and different current R3 E2
paths. R1
At junctions m and n: m n
I1 = I2 + I3 or I2 + I3 = I1 I1
R2 E1
Junction
Junction Rule:
Rule:
I2
I (enter)
I (enter) =
= I
I
(leaving)
(leaving)
 Parallel Connections
Resistors are said to be connected in
parallel when there is more than one path
for current. For Parallel
Parallel Connection:
Resistors:
V2 = V4 = V6 =
2 4 6
I +I V
2 4 +T I = I
6 T

For Series
Series
Resistors:
I2 = I4 = I6 = IT
Connection:
2 4 6 V2 + V4 + V6 =
VT
Equivalent Resistance:
Parallel
VT = V1 = V2 = Parallel Connection:
I =I + V3I + I VT
T 1 2 3
R1 R2 R3
V
Ohm’s I
law: R
VT V1 V2 V3 1 1 1 1
     
Re R1 R2 R3 Re R1 R2 R3

The
The equivalent 11 NN 11
equivalent 
RRee i

resistance
resistance for
for Parallel
Parallel 11 R
i Ri i
resistors:
resistors:
Example 3. Find the equivalent
resistance Re for the three resistors
below.
11 NN 11

VT R1 R2 R3
RRee i

11 R
i Ri i
2 4 6
1 1 1 1
  
Re R1 R2 R3
1 1 1 1
   0.500  0.250  0.167
Re 2  4  6 
1 1
0.917; Re  1.09  RRee =
= 1.09
1.09 

Re 0.917

For
For parallel
parallel resistors,
resistors, RReeisis less
less than
than the
the
least
least RRi..
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
2 4 6
V1 = V2 = 
V3 = 12 V
12 V I T = I1 + I2 + I3

V VT 12 V
Ohm’s I Ie  
Law: R Re 1.09 

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
2 4 6 V1 = V2 = V3 = 12 V
12 V I T = I1 + I2 + I3

12 V 12 V 12 V
I1  6 A I2  3 A I3  2 A
2 4 6

6 A + 3 A + 2 A = 11 Check
Check !!
A
Short Cut: Two Parallel
Resistors
The equivalent resistance Re for two
parallel resistors is the product divided
by the sum. RR
1 1 1 R11 R22
  ; RRee 

Re R1 R2 RR11 RR22

Exampl (3 )(6 )
VT e: R R2 Re 
1
3  6 
6 3
RRee =
= 22 

Series and Parallel
Combinations
In complex circuits resistors are often
connected in both series and parallel
R .
1

In
In such
such cases,
cases, it’s
it’s best
best VT R 2 R3
to
to use
use rules
rules for
for series
series
and
and parallel
parallel
resistances
resistances to to reduce
reduce
the
the circuit
circuit to
to aa simple
simple
circuit
circuit containing
containing one one VT Re
source
source of of emf
emf and
and oneone
equivalent
equivalent resistance.
resistance.
Example 4. Find the equivalent
resistance for the circuit drawn below
(assume VT = 12 V).
(3 )(6 )
4 R3,6  2 
 3  6 
VT 3 6
  Re = 4  + 2 
RRee=
= 66 


4

12 2 12 6
V  V 
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the total current
IT.
RRee=
= 66 

4
 VT 12 V
VT 3 6 I 
 
Re 6 
IITT=
= 2.00
2.00 AA

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

4 II44 =
= IITT =
= 22 AA

VT 3 6 V4 = (2 A)(4 ) = 8
 
V

The remainder of the voltage: (12 V – 8 V =

4 V) drops across EACH of the parallel
resistors.
This
This can
can also
also bebe found
found
VV33 =
= VV66 =
= 44 from
from VV3,6 = I 3,6RR3,6
3,6 = I3,6
= (2 A)
3,6 = (2 A)
VV (2
(2 )
)
(Continued . . .)
Example 3 (Cont.) Find the currents and
voltages across each resistor

= 88 VV VV66 =
VV44 = = VV33 =
= 44 VV 4

VT 3 6
V3 4 V
I3   II33 =
= 1.33
1.33  
R3 3 
AA
V6 4 V
I6   II66 =
= 0.667
0.667 II44 =
= 22 AA
R6 6 
AA
Note that the junction rule is satisfied:

I (enter)
I (enter) =
= I
I IITT =
= II44 =
= II33 +
+ II66
(leaving)
(leaving)
Kirchoff’s Laws for DC
Circuits
Kirchoff’s
Kirchoff’s first
first law:
law: TheThe sumsum ofof the
the
currents
currents entering
entering aa junction
junction is is equal
equal toto
the
the sum
sum of
of the
the currents
currents leaving
leaving that
that
junction.
junction.
Junction
Junction Rule:
Rule: I I (enter)
(enter) = = I
I
(leaving)
(leaving)
Kirchoff’s
Kirchoff’s second
second law: law: The
The sumsum ofof the
the
emf’s
emf’s around
around anyany closed
closed looploop must
must
equal
equal the
the sum
sum of of the
the IR IR drops
drops around
around
that
that same
same loop.
loop.
Voltage Rule: EE =
Voltage Rule: =
IR
IR
 Sign Conventions for
Emf’s
 When applying Kirchoff’s laws you must
assume a consistent, positive tracing
 direction.
When applying the voltage rule, emf’s
are positive if normal output direction of
the emf is with the assumed tracing
direction.
 If tracing from A to B, +
A B
this emf is considered E
positive.
 If tracing from B to A, +
A B
this emf is considered E
negative.
 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, +
A B
this IR drop is positive. I

 If tracing from B to A, +
A B
this IR drop is negative.
I
 Kirchoff’s Laws: Loop I
1. Assume possible +
consistent flow of
2. currents.
Indicate positive output I1
directions for emf’s. R1 Loop I E1
3. Indicate consistent E2 R2
tracing direction.
(clockwise) I2
Junction
Junction Rule:
Rule: II22 =
= II11 +
+ R3
E3
II33 I3
Voltage Rule: EE =
Voltage Rule: = IRIR
EE11++ EE22== II11RR11 ++ II22RR22
 Kirchoff’s Laws: Loop II
4. Voltage rule for Loop II: Bottom Loop (II)
Assume
counterclockwise I1
positive tracing R1 Loop I E1
Voltage
Voltage Rule:
direction. Rule: EE = = IR IR R2
E2
EE22++ EE33=
= II22RR22 +
+ II33RR33
I2
Would the same R3
Loop II E3
equation apply if traced I3
clockwise?
Yes! -- EE22 -- EE33= = -I-I22RR22 -- +
II33RR33
 Kirchoff’s laws: Loop III
5. Voltage rule for Loop III: Outer Loop (III)
+
Assume
counterclockwise I1
positive tracing R1 Loop I E1
Voltage
Voltage Rule:
direction. Rule: EE = = IRIR R2
E2
EE33–– EE11== -I-I11RR11 ++ II33RR33
I2
Would the same R3
Loop II E3
equation apply if traced I3
clockwise?
Yes EE33-- EE11== II11RR11 -- II33RR33
+
!
 Four Independent
Equations
6. Thus, we now have four Outer Loop (III)
+
independent equations
from Kirchoff’s laws: I1
R1 Loop I E1
I2 = I1 + I3 E2 R2

E1 + E2 = I1R1 + I2R2
I2
E2 + E3 = I2R2 + I3R3 R3
Loop II E3
I3
E3 - E1 = -I1R1 + I3R3
+
 Example 4. Use Kirchoff’s laws to find
the currents in the circuit drawn to the
right.
Junction Rule: I + I = +
Junction Rule: I22 + I33 =
II11 5
Consider Loop I I 1

tracing clockwise to Loop I 12 V

obtain: Rule: E = IR
Voltage 10 

12 V = (5 )I1+ I2
(10)I2 20 
Recalling that V/ = A,
I3
gives
5I
5I11 +
+ 10I
10I22 =
= 12
12 AA 6V
Example 5 (Cont.) Finding the
currents.
Consider Loop II
tracing clockwise to
obtain:Rule: E = IR I1 5 
Voltage 12 V
6 V = (20 )I3- (10)I2 10 

Simplifying: Divide I2
by 2 and V/ = A, Loop II 20 
gives I3
10I
10I33 -- 5I
5I22 =
= 33 AA +
6V
Example 5 (Cont.) Three independent
equations can be solved for I1, I2, and I3.
(1)
(1) II22 +
+ II33 =
= II11

(2)
(2) 5I
5I11 +
+ 10I
10I22 =
= 12
12 AA I1 5 
12 V
(3)
(3) 10I
10I33 -- 5I
5I22 =
= 33 AA 10 

Substitute Eq.(1) for I1 in I2

(2)
5(I2 + I3) + : I3 = 12 A
10 Loop II 20 
Simplifying gives: I3
+
5I
5I22 +
+ 15I
15I33 =
= 12
12 AA 6V
 Example 5 (Cont.) Three independent
equations can be solved.
(1)
(1) II22 +
+ II33 =
= II11 (3)
(3) 10I
10I33 -- 5I
5I22 =
= 33
AA
(2)
(2) 5I
5I11 +
+ 10I
10I22 =
= 12
12 AA 15I
15I33 +
+ 5I
5I22 == 1212 AA

Eliminate I2 by adding equations above

right:
10I3 - 5I2 = 3 A Putting I3 = 0.6 A in (3)
15I3 + 5I2 = 12 A 10(0.6 A)gives:
– 5I2 = 3 A
25I3 = 15 A II22=
= 0.600
0.600 AA
I3 = 0.600 Then from II11=
= 1.20
1.20 AA
A (1):
 Summary of Formulas:
Rules
Rules for
for aa simple,
simple, single
single loop
loop circuit
circuit
containing
containing aa source
source ofof emf
emf and
and
resistors.
resistors.
D Single
Resistance Rule: Re = Loop A
R -
E 2 
Current : I 3
18 V
R
3V

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

For
For series
series II =
= II11 =
= II22 =
= II33
connection
connection VVTT=
= VV11 + + VV22 ++ VV33
s:
s:

RRee =
= RR11 +
+ RR22 +
+ RR33 2
3 1
12 V
= RR
RRee =
 Summary (Cont.)
Resistors connected in parallel:

For
For parallel
parallel VV =
= VV11 == VV22 == VV33
connection
connection IITT=
= II11 +
+ II22 +
+ II33
s:
s:N
11 N 1
1

Parallel
RRee i

11 R
i Ri i VT RConnection
1 R2 R3

2 4 6
RR11RR22
RRee 
 12 V
RR11 RR22
 Summary Kirchoff’s Laws
Kirchoff’s
Kirchoff’s first
first law:
law: TheThe sumsum ofof the
the
currents
currents entering
entering aa junction
junction is is equal
equal toto
the
the sum
sum ofof the
the currents
currents leaving
leaving that
that
junction.
junction.
Junction
Junction Rule:
Rule: I I (enter)
(enter) = = I
I
(leaving)
(leaving)
Kirchoff’s
Kirchoff’s second
second law: law: TheThe sum
sum ofof the
the
emf’s
emf’s around
around anyany closed
closed looploop must
must
equal
equal the
the sum
sum of of the
the IRIR drops
drops around
around
that
that same
same loop.
loop.
Voltage
Voltage Rule:Rule: EE = =
IR
IR