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Chapter 20

Circuits and Direct Currents

Book Version 3
By Boundless
Boundless Physics
Physics
by Boundless
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Section 1
Overview
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Different Types of Currents

An electrical circuit is an interconnection of electrical elements that has a closed loop giving a return path for the current.

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Sources of EMF

Electromotive force (EMF) is the voltage voltage generated by a battery or by the magnetic force according to Faraday's Law of Induction.

Section 2
Resistors in Series and Parallel
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Resisitors in Series

The total resistance in the circuit with resistors connected in series is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.

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Resistors in Parallel

The total resistance in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the inverse of each individual resistances.

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Combination Circuits

A combination circuit can be broken up into similar parts that are either series or parallel.

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Charging a Battery: EMFs in Series and Parallel

When voltage sources are connected in series, their emfs and internal resistances are additive; in parallel, they stay the same.

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EMF and Terminal Voltage

The output, or terminal voltage of a voltage source such as a battery, depends on its electromotive force and its internal resistance.

Section 3
Kirchhoff's Rules
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Introduction and Importance

Kirchhoff's circuit laws are two equations that address the conservation of energy and charge in the context of electrical circuits.

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The Junction Rule

Kirchhoff's junction rule states that at any circuit junction, the sum of the currents flowing into and out of that junction are equal.

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The Loop Rule

Kirchhoff's loop rule states that the sum of the emf values in any closed loop is equal to the sum of the potential drops in that loop.

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Applications

Kirchhoff's rules can be used to analyze any circuit and modified for those with EMFs, resistors, capacitors and more.

Section 4
Voltmeters and Ammeters
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Voltmeters and Ammeters

Voltmeters and ammeters are used to measure voltage and current, respectively.

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Null Measurements

Null measurements balance voltages so there is no current flowing through the measuring devices that would interfere with the measurement.

Section 5
RC Circuits
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Resistors and Capacitors in Series

An RC circuit has a resistor and a capacitor and when connected to a DC voltage source, and the capacitor is charged exponentially in time.

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Impedance

Impedance is the measure of the opposition that a circuit presents to the passage of a current when a voltage is applied.

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Phase Angle and Power Factor

In a series RC circuit connected to an AC voltage source, voltage and current maintain a phase difference.

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Electric Current and Resistance
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Circuits and Direct Currents
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