Why does Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law apply?
Because energy is conserved in an electrical circuit.
What is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)?
The algebraic sum of all voltages around any closed loop in a circuit is zero.
Write Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law mathematically.
ΣV = 0
How can KVL be written using rises and drops?
V_rise − V_drop = 0
What sign is used for a voltage rise when applying KVL?
Positive.
What sign is used for a voltage drop when applying KVL?
Negative.
Why does Kirchhoff’s Current Law apply?
Because electric charge is conserved.
What is Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)?
The algebraic sum of currents at a node is zero.
How is KCL commonly expressed?
The sum of currents entering a node is equal to the sum of currents leaving the node.
What is a node?
A point in a circuit where two or more elements are connected by conductors.
What is a loop?
A closed path that begins and ends at the same node without passing through any other node more than once.
What loop direction is used by convention in this course?
Clockwise.
Is power conserved in electrical circuits?
Yes. Since charge and energy are conserved, power is conserved as well.
