Define Kirchhoff's first law .

Kirchhoff's first law states that the sum of the currents entering a junction is always equal to the sum of the currents leaving that junction.

Define a junction in a circuit.

A junction is a point where at least three circuit paths meet.

Define a branch in a circuit.

A branch is a path connecting two junctions.

How does current vary at different points along a series circuit?

Current is the same at all points in a series circuit.

How does current behave at a junction in a parallel circuit?

Current divides at the junction, with each branch carrying a different value of current.

True or False? Junctions occur in both series and parallel circuits.

False. Junctions only occur in parallel circuits, where the circuit splits into two or more branches.

Define Kirchhoff's second law .

Kirchhoff's second law states that the total e.m.f in a closed circuit is equal to the sum of the potential differences across the components.

How is potential difference distributed among components in a series circuit?

Potential difference is split across all components depending on their resistance; the sum equals the total e.m.f.

How does potential difference compare across closed loops in a parallel circuit?

Potential difference is the same across each closed loop; the sum of p.d. in each loop equals the total e.m.f.

Define a closed circuit loop in a parallel circuit.

A closed circuit loop acts as its own independent series circuit, separating from the rest of the circuit at a junction.

Why are parallel circuits useful for home wiring systems?

Each loop is independent , so if one appliance or light breaks, current can still flow through the rest of the loops.

True or False? If one light bulb breaks in a parallel household circuit, all the other lights and appliances stop working.

False. Each loop in a parallel circuit is independent , so current continues to flow through the rest of the lights and appliances.

In a series circuit, how does the current compare across all the resistors?

The current is the same through all resistors in a series circuit.

In a series circuit, how is potential difference distributed among the resistors?

Potential difference is shared between all the resistors, each having its own separate potential difference.

Using which two laws is the equation for resistors in series derived?

Kirchhoff's first law and Kirchhoff's second law .

When two or more components are connected in series, the combined resistance is equal to the .......... of the individual resistances.

When two or more components are connected in series, the combined resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.

True or False? Resistors connected in series each have the same potential difference across them.

False. Resistors connected in series each have their own separate potential difference, depending on their individual resistance.

Define resistors in parallel .

Resistors in parallel are connected between the same two points, so each has the same potential difference across it, while the total current is split between them.

How does the combined resistance of resistors in parallel compare with the resistance of each individual resistor?

The combined resistance is always less than the resistance of any individual resistor in the parallel combination.

Two resistors of equal resistance are connected in parallel. What happens to the combined resistance compared with one resistor alone?

The combined resistance halves .

In a parallel circuit, the reciprocal of the combined resistance is the sum of the .......... of the individual resistances.

In a parallel circuit, the reciprocal of the combined resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances.

True or False? In a parallel circuit, the potential difference is shared between the resistors, in the same way that it is in a series circuit.

False. In a parallel circuit, the potential difference is the same across each resistor; it is the current that is split between them.

Define Kirchhoff's first law .

Kirchhoff's first law states that the total current into a junction must equal the total current out of it.

Define Kirchhoff's second law .

Kirchhoff's second law states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop is equal to the e.m.f. of the supply in that loop.

In a loop containing two components with the same resistance and the same current, how do their potential differences compare?

They share the potential difference equally — each component has the same potential difference .

At a junction, a current of 80 mA splits into two branches. One branch carries 27 mA. What is the current in the other branch?

53 mA, since 80 − 27 = 53 mA (Kirchhoff's first law).

Kirchhoff's second law states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop equals the .......... of the supply.

Kirchhoff's second law states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop equals the e.m.f. of the supply.

True or False? The current entering a junction can differ from the current leaving it, if the branches have different resistances.

False. By Kirchhoff's first law , the current entering a junction always equals the current leaving it, regardless of the resistance of each branch.

A LevelPhysicsCambridge (CIE)Flashcards10. D.C. CircuitsKirchhoff’s Laws

Kirchhoff’s Laws (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Physics): Flashcards

Exam code: 9702

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Define Kirchhoff's first law.

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Cards in this collection (32)

Define Kirchhoff's first law.
Kirchhoff's first law states that the sum of the currents entering a junction is always equal to the sum of the currents leaving that junction.
Define a junction in a circuit.
A junction is a point where at least three circuit paths meet.
Define a branch in a circuit.
A branch is a path connecting two junctions.
What conservation law is Kirchhoff's first law a consequence of?
Conservation of charge.
How does current vary at different points along a series circuit?
Current is the same at all points in a series circuit.
How does current behave at a junction in a parallel circuit?
Current divides at the junction, with each branch carrying a different value of current.
True or False?
Junctions occur in both series and parallel circuits.
False.
Junctions only occur in parallel circuits, where the circuit splits into two or more branches.
Define Kirchhoff's second law.
Kirchhoff's second law states that the total e.m.f in a closed circuit is equal to the sum of the potential differences across the components.
What conservation law is Kirchhoff's second law a consequence of?
Conservation of energy.
How is potential difference distributed among components in a series circuit?
Potential difference is split across all components depending on their resistance; the sum equals the total e.m.f.
How does potential difference compare across closed loops in a parallel circuit?
Potential difference is the same across each closed loop; the sum of p.d. in each loop equals the total e.m.f.
Define a closed circuit loop in a parallel circuit.
A closed circuit loop acts as its own independent series circuit, separating from the rest of the circuit at a junction.
Why are parallel circuits useful for home wiring systems?
Each loop is independent, so if one appliance or light breaks, current can still flow through the rest of the loops.
True or False?
If one light bulb breaks in a parallel household circuit, all the other lights and appliances stop working.
False.
Each loop in a parallel circuit is independent, so current continues to flow through the rest of the lights and appliances.
In a series circuit, how does the current compare across all the resistors?
The current is the same through all resistors in a series circuit.
In a series circuit, how is potential difference distributed among the resistors?
Potential difference is shared between all the resistors, each having its own separate potential difference.
What is the equation for the combined resistance, R, of resistors connected in series?
$R = R_{1} + R_{2} + . . .$
Using which two laws is the equation for resistors in series derived?
Kirchhoff's first law and Kirchhoff's second law.
When two or more components are connected in series, the combined resistance is equal to the .......... of the individual resistances.
When two or more components are connected in series, the combined resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.
True or False?
Resistors connected in series each have the same potential difference across them.
False.
Resistors connected in series each have their own separate potential difference, depending on their individual resistance.
Define resistors in parallel.
Resistors in parallel are connected between the same two points, so each has the same potential difference across it, while the total current is split between them.
State the equation for the combined resistance, R, of several resistors connected in parallel.
$\frac{1}{R} = \frac{1}{R_{1}} + \frac{1}{R_{2}} + \frac{1}{R_{3}} + . . .$
How does the combined resistance of resistors in parallel compare with the resistance of each individual resistor?
The combined resistance is always less than the resistance of any individual resistor in the parallel combination.
Two resistors of equal resistance are connected in parallel. What happens to the combined resistance compared with one resistor alone?
The combined resistance halves.
In a parallel circuit, the reciprocal of the combined resistance is the sum of the .......... of the individual resistances.
In a parallel circuit, the reciprocal of the combined resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances.
True or False?
In a parallel circuit, the potential difference is shared between the resistors, in the same way that it is in a series circuit.
False.
In a parallel circuit, the potential difference is the same across each resistor; it is the current that is split between them.
Define Kirchhoff's first law.
Kirchhoff's first law states that the total current into a junction must equal the total current out of it.
Define Kirchhoff's second law.
Kirchhoff's second law states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop is equal to the e.m.f. of the supply in that loop.
In a loop containing two components with the same resistance and the same current, how do their potential differences compare?
They share the potential difference equally — each component has the same potential difference.
At a junction, a current of 80 mA splits into two branches. One branch carries 27 mA. What is the current in the other branch?
53 mA, since 80 − 27 = 53 mA (Kirchhoff's first law).
Kirchhoff's second law states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop equals the .......... of the supply.
Kirchhoff's second law states that the sum of the potential differences around a closed loop equals the e.m.f. of the supply.
True or False?
The current entering a junction can differ from the current leaving it, if the branches have different resistances.
False.
By Kirchhoff's first law, the current entering a junction always equals the current leaving it, regardless of the resistance of each branch.

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