series circuit – RENAISSANCE PHYSICS

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Superposition Theorem

Most of the circuits we’ve encountered thus far contain a single voltage ( V ) source that provides current ( I ) to the system. Suppose, however, that a current determination must be made for the following dual-voltage circuit type: The presence of two voltage sources eliminates any series-parallel relationships that would exist between theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Superposition Theorem“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: A Conceptual Analysis of Thevenin’s Theorem

A physical system would be meaningless without an observer. Conclusions about electrical systems are oftentimes made from the vantage point of the source ( Vs ), but this need not be the case. If a portion of a circuit is “ opened “, an observer can view the source and other components from the newlyContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: A Conceptual Analysis of Thevenin’s Theorem“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Dividers With Resistive Loads ( Part 1 )

A series circuit that contains two equal-value resistors ( R ) will split the amount of work ( J ) done by the charges equally: Prior to arrival at R1, a coulomb of charged particles ( I ) will contain 10.0 J of energy available to perform work. After passing through R1, the charges willContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Dividers With Resistive Loads ( Part 1 )“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Divider Principle in Series-Parallel Circuits

The voltage-divider formula is expressed as follows: Vx = ( Rx / RT )( Vs ) This formula is used to determine how series resistors ( R ) split voltage drops apart as current passes through them. The net voltage drop across a series circuit’s resistors is always ( ignoring small losses ) equal toContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Divider Principle in Series-Parallel Circuits“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Two-Resistor Current Divider Derivation

We have previously seen how parallel circuits with two resistors ( R ) may be added together using specialized techniques. In one such case, the resistors had equal values, and in other cases, the values differed. These resistance values were then used to ascertain how currents ( I ) divide along each branch of theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Two-Resistor Current Divider Derivation“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 3 )

Thus far, we have used a single-loop series circuit to demonstrate the principles of Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule. What if, however, a circuit has multiple loops through which current ( I ) travels? To further complicate things, what if each loop contains a voltage ( V ) source? How will it be possible to determine theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 3 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 2 )

The Loop Rule states that the sum of voltage ( V ) rises and drops around a closed loop must equal zero. This observation is an extension of the Law of Conservation of Energy which states that energy is neither created or destroyed, but it has the ability to change form. Furthermore, the direction thatContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 2 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Voltage-Divider Formula

Thus far, we have seen how the sum of voltage drops across a series circuit is equal to the voltage value of the source ( Vs ): Vs = V1 + V2 + V3 In the aforementioned scenario, three resistors are situated within a non-diverging electrical path; thus, each resistor along the electrical path hasContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Voltage-Divider Formula“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Series Circuits

A series circuit is one in which electric current ( I ) travels along a closed path that does not split apart: *** Note: Conventional current consists of positive charges that flow from the positively charged anode to the negatively charged cathode. In reality, negatively charged electrons flow in the opposite direction. *** The diagram,Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Series Circuits”

ELECTRICITY: Wattage

Q: A parallel electrical circuit connects the electrical outlets located within a room. A 20-A fuse is put into place to protect the circuit from unexpected surges of current ( I ). The voltage drop across each circuit element is V = 120 V. What is the maximum power ( W ) output that canContinue reading “ELECTRICITY: Wattage”