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- PHY102 Physics II © Dr.Cem Özdoğan
- 27-4 Calculating the Current in a Single-Loop Circuit
- The algebraic sum of the changes in potential encountered in any loop of circuit must be zero.
- This is often referred to as Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule
- Choose a point in the circuit, i.e. Point a, whose potential is Va
- Draw a loop either in clockwise or counter cw
- As passing the battery (low to high potential) the potential change is +; Va +
- In the wires there is no potential change since we assume no resistance
- As we pass through the resistor potential changes and decreases by –iR; Va + –iR
- When we complete the loop and reached at the same point, i.e. Point a,
- Va + –iR = Va –iR = 0 i = /R