CHAPTER 26:

DIRECT CURRENT CIRCUIT

Direct Current (DC) Circuits
a circuit in which the direction of the current does not change
with time

direct current is produced by sources such as batteries,

thermocouples, and solar cells
26.1 Resistors in Series and Parallel

Given a network of resistors connected in

series and/or parallel, evaluate the equivalent
resistance, current and voltage

Evaluate the voltage drop and current passing

thru each circuit element
Recall:Resistors

Circuit element made to have a

resistance
Follow Ohms law
Can be connected in series,
parallel or series-parallel.
Resistors connection can be
simplified into one single
equivalent resistance Req
Resistors in Series
Recall: Circuit elements in series
Single point of connection
Charge/current is the same for each element
Voltage is not equal unless all Rs are the same

Light Bulbs in Series

Resistors in Series

Potential
difference at Vax IR1 Vxy IR2 Vyb IR3
each points

Vab Vax Vxy Vyb I R1 R2 R3

Potential
difference of
the entire
combination
R1 R2 R3
Vab
I
Equivalent
resistance Req R1 R2 R3
Resistors in Series

Req R1 R2 R3 Req is greater than any

of R1, R2, R3,

Vtot V1 V2 V3 Sum of voltages

I I1 I 2 I 3 Constant Current
Resistors in Parallel
Recall: Circuit elements in parallel
2 points of connection
Voltage is the same (equal to the potential of the
battery).
Charge/current is not equal unless all Rs are the
same.

Light Bulbs in Parallel

 R1
Resistors in Parallel
R2
Individual
Currents
R3
Vab Total Current
I1
R1 1 1 1
I I1 I 2 I 3 Vab
I2
Vab R1 R2 R3
R2
I 1 1 1 1
Vab
I3 Vab R1 R2 R3 Req
R3 1
1 1 1
Equivalent
Resistance
Req
R1 R2 R3
Resistors in Parallel
1
1 1 1 Req is less than any of
Req
R1 R2 R3 R1, R2, R3,

V V1 V2 V3 Voltage is constant

I T I1 I 2 I 3 Sum of Currents
EXAMPLE 26.1 Resistors in Series
A 4 resistor and a 6 resistor are connected in series to a battery of emf 12 V and
negligible internal resistance. Find (a) the equivalent resistance, (b) the current in
the circuit, (c) the potential drop across each resistor, (d) the power dissipated in
each resistor, and (e) the total power dissipated.

6
IT I 4 I 6 A
5
144
P4 I 4 R
2
W
25
Req 4 6 10 216
P6 I 6 R
2
W
Vab 12V 6
25
IT A
Req 10 5 72
PT ITVab W
5
EXAMPLE 26.2 Resistors in Parallel
A potential difference of 12 V is applied across the parallel combination of 4 and
6 resistors as shown. Find (a) the equivalent resistance , (b) the total current, (c)
the current in each resistor, (d) the power dissipated in each resistor, and (e) the
power delivered by the 12-V battery.

1
1 1 12
Req
4 6 5

5
12V 5 A
Vab
IT
Req 12

Vab V4 V6 12V

12V 12V
I 4 3A I 6 2A
4 6
EXAMPLE 26.2 Resistors in Parallel
A potential difference of 12 V is applied across the parallel combination of 4 and
6 resistors as shown. Find (a) the equivalent resistance , (b) the total current, (c)
the current in each resistor, (d) the power dissipated in each resistor, and (e) the
power delivered by the 12-V battery.

P4 I 4 R 36W
2

P6 I 26 R 24W

PT ITVab 60W
EXAMPLE 26.3. Effective Resistance
What is the effective resistance between points a and b?

Parallel connection

1
1 1
Req 3
6 2
9
Req
2
EXAMPLE 26.4. Effective Resistance, Voltage Drop, and Current
Find the effective resistance, voltage drop, and current passing through
each resistor.
EXAMPLE 26.4. Effective Resistance, Voltage Drop, and Current
Find the effective resistance, voltage drop, and current passing through each resistor.

Req= Req=

V
I
R V IR 18V
IT
6
SW9 R2= 4
R1= 5

a R3= 9 R4= 3 b
R6= 6
R5= 20

R7= 12
1. Find the equivalent resistance between points a and b for the combination of
resistors shown above.

2. If the circuit is connected to an ideal battery of 12 V, what is the current

passing through R3? the voltage across R7?
 R2= 4
1
R1= 5 1 1
R67 4
6 12
a R3= 9 R4= 3 b
R6= 6 R567 20 4 24
R5= 20
1
1 1
R7= 12
Req 6
8 24
R34 9 3 12
1 VT V1234 V567 12V
1 1
R234 3
12 4 VT 12V
IT 2A
R1234 5 3 8 Req 6
 R2= 4
3
R1= 5
I 1 I 234 A
2
a R3= 9 R4= 3 b
3
A 3 V
9
R6= 6 V234 I 234R234
R5= 20 2 2
9
V234 V2 V34 V
R7= 12 2
V1234 12V 3 V34 9 1 3
I 34 V A
I 1234 A R34 2 12 8
R1234 8 2
V567 12V 1 3
I 567 A I 34 I3 I4 A
R567 24 2 8
CHECK: I1234 I 567 2 A
 R2= 4
CHECK:
R1= 5
So far
V1234 V567 12V
a R3= 9 R4= 3 b
R6= 6 9
R5= 20 V234 V V67 2V
2
3 1
R7= 12 I1 A I5 A
2 2
1
I 567 I 5 I 67 A V1234 V1 V234
2
1
V67 I 67 R67 A 4 2V 3
V1 I 1 R1 A 5 V
15
2 2 2
V67 V6 V7 2V 15 9
V1234 12V V V 12V
2 2
 R2= 4
CHECK:
R1= 5
So far
V1234 V567 12V
a R3= 9 R4= 3 b
R6= 6 9
R5= 20 V234 V V67 2V
2
3 1
R7= 12 I1 A I5 A
2 2
V567 V5 V67

1
V5 I 5 R5 A 20 10V
2
V567 12V V5 V67 10V 2V 12V
26.2 Kirchhoffs Rules

Givena circuit diagram, calculate the current through

and voltage across a circuit element using Kirchhoffs
loop and junction rules
 Simple Circuit

Can this be reduced by finding a single resistor Req?

NO!
Use Kirchhoffs rules
Kirchhoffs Rules

1. Kirchhoffs junction rule (current law)

2. Kirchhoffs loop rule (voltage law)

Gustav Robert Kirchhoff

(1824 1887)
 Some Definitions Common between
V1, V2 & R3
Junction any point in a
circuit where 3 or more
conductors are
connected

Loop any closed

conducting path in a
circuit

Common between R1, R2 & R3

Kirchhoffs Junction Rule
The algebraic sum of the currents into any junction is zero.

I 0

I1 I 2 I 3 0 OR I1 I 2 I 3
 Kirchhoffs Loop Rule
The algebraic sum of the potential differences in any
loop must equal to zero.

V 0
 Sign conventions in KLR
Choose a travel direction.
Find the potential across each element and follow
these sign conventions:
 Using Kirchhoffs rule

1. Choose a loop and choose a travel direction

(clockwise/counterclockwise).
2. Choose a current direction.
3. Apply KLR taking note of sign conventions.
4. Repeat 1 and 2 for all loops
5. Apply KJR to all junctions.
6. Solve the system of equations.
 EXAMPLE 26.5 KVL
The circuit shown below contains two batteries, each with an emf and internal
resistance, and two resistors. What is the current in the circuit?

OBSERVATION: No junctions
present so we dont need
Kirchhoffs junction rule.

ASSUMPTION: Current direction is

counterclockwise.
V I 4 4V I 7 12V I 2 I 3 0
V I 4 4V I 7 12V I 2 I 3 0
4V 12V I (4 7 2 3)

8V I 16

I 0.5 A

Result is POSITIVE so the

assumed direction is correct!
EXAMPLE 26.5.1 KJL
Find the unknown current I.

Apply KJL at point a:

I 1A 2 A 0
I 3A
 EXAMPLE 26.5.2 Internal Resistance
Find the internal resistance r.

I 3A
Apply KVL to Loop 1
12 6V
12V (3 A)r (2 A)(3) 0 r
3A
2
EXAMPLE 26.5.3 emf
Find the emf .

I 3A r 2
Apply KVL to Loop 2
E (1A)(1) (2 A)(3) 0 E 5V
EXAMPLE 26.6 Kirchhoffs Rules
Given the circuit shown, find (a) the current in each circuit resistor, (b) the
potential difference between points a and b, and (c) the power supplied by
each battery.
(a) Apply junction rule at point a

I1 I 2 I 3 0
I1 I2 I 3 I1 I 2
Apply loop rule in loop 1
I3
12V I1 4 I 2 3 12V 0
(1) (2) I1 4 I 2 3
(3)
Apply loop rule in loop 2
12V I1 4 I 3 6 0
12V I1 4 I1 I 2 6 0
I1 10 12V I 2 6
EXAMPLE 26.6 Kirchhoffs Rules
Given the circuit shown, find (a) the current in each circuit resistor, (b) the
potential difference between points a and b, and (c) the power supplied by
each battery.
(a) Solving for I1, I2, and I3
2 8 14
I1 A I2 A I3 A
I1 I2 3 9 9

(b) Solve for Vab

I3
Vab I 3 6 V
28
(1) (2) 3
(3)
(c) Power supplied by each battery

Pleft I1 12V 8V

I 1 4 I 2 3
I 1 10 12V I 2 6
32
P right I 2 12V V
3
SW10

1. Write the junction equation at point b. I I1 I2 = 0

2. Give the loop equation for loop fabef. 12V 4 I1 3 I = 0
3-5. Solve for I1, I2, and I.
3 1
I1 A
2
I2 A
2 I 2A
SW10 Apply loop rule in abcdefa

12V I 2 2 5V I 3 0
12V I 2 2 5V I1 I 2 ) 3 0
I1 3 7V I 2 5

Solving for I1 and I2

Apply junction rule at point b 5I1 7 12V I 2 3

I I1 I 2 0 3I1 3 7V I 2 5
I I1 I 2 I1 26 39V I1
39V 3
A
26 2
Apply loop rule in abefa
12V I1 4 I 3 0 1.5 A7 12V I 2 3
12V I1 4 I1 I 2 3
1 I I1 I 2 2 A
I1 7 12V I 2 3 I2 A
2
26.4 R-C Circuits
Describe the behavior of current, potential,
and charge as a capacitor is charging or
discharging in terms of the initial, transient,
and steady-state conditions
26.4 R-C Circuits
circuit containing a resistor and a
capacitor in series
So far, all currents, emfs
and resistances are
independent of time.
In DC circuits with
capacitors, these
quantities vary in time
Lowercase for time
varying quantities (v, i
and q)
Charging a Capacitor

No current Current present

No charge on plates of C i and vR decreases
q and vC increases
Charging a Capacitor
No charge at the capacitor,
vbc = 0 (short)

Kirchhoffs loop rule gives that

vab = E
The current Io through the
resistor is:
vab E
Open switch Io
R R
Charging a Capacitor
vbc increases
vab decreases current
decreases
During charging:
vab + vbc = E
After a long time, i 0,
vab 0
vbc = E
Closed switch
Charging a Capacitor

qt CE 1 e t RC
Q 1 e
f
t RC

dq E t RC
it e I oe t RC

dt R
Charging a Capacitor

63%
37%

at t=RC i 0.37 I 0 at t=RC q 0.63Q f

Time Constant

A measure of how quickly the capacitor charges

Time equal to RC when the current has decreased to
1/e (37%) of its initial value and the charge on the
capacitor has reached 1 1/e (63%) of its final value

RC
Rule of Thumb
Discharging a Capacitor
Discharging a Capacitor

t RC
q Qo e

dq Qo t RC t RC
i e I oe
dt RC
Discharging a Capacitor

at t=RC i 0.37 I 0

at t=
Both i and q approach zero

at t=RC q 0.37Q0
Rule of Thumb
EXAMPLE 26.7: Time Constant
What is the time constant given a 10-M resistor in series with a 10-nF capacitor?

RC
(10 10 )(10 10 F )6 9

100 10 s 0.1s 3
EXAMPLE 26.8: RC
Consider an uncharged capacitor of capacitance 25 F connected in series with a
10.0 resistor. A potential difference of 4.0 V is supplied across the plates of the
capacitor to allow the capacitor to charge. What is the charge in the capacitor after
some time t=?

CHARGING:
qt Q f 1 e t RC

t= =RC q 0.63Q f
Q f C
Q f 25F 4.0V 100C

q 0.63100C 63C
EXAMPLE 26.9: Charging a Capacitor
What is the current passing through the circuit right after closing the switch S?
after a long time?

At t=0, capacitor acts as a short

circuit
10V
I
R1
After a long time (t),
capacitor acts as an open circuit

10V
I
R1 R2
EXAMPLE 26.10: Maximum Charge
The 2 capacitors are initially uncharged when switch S was closed. What will be
the maximum charge stored in a 6-F capacitor?

At t=, q=Qf=CV At t=, capacitor acts as an open circuit

18V
I 2A
6 3
V6 (2 A)(6) 12V
6- resistor is in parallel with 6-F
capacitor

V6 F V6 12V

Q6 F CV (6F )(12V ) 72C

SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 26

Resistors in
Series and
Parallel

Kirchhoffs
Rules
SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 26

RC Circuits
PS4: Chapter 26 Exercises 26.5, 26.8, 26.26, 26.27, 26.49
Due: March 11, 2016 (F)
SW10

The capacitor in the circuit shown is initially uncharged.

1. What is the current through the battery

immediately after the switch is closed?

2. What is the current through the battery a long time after the switch is
closed.
SW10
At t=0, the capacitor acts as a short At t=, the capacitor acts as an open
circuit. circuit.