In a series circuit, how does the total current relate to the individual branch currents according to KCL?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
In a series circuit, how does the total current relate to the individual branch currents according to KCL?
Total current is the sum of branch currents
Total current is the average of branch currents
Total current is the maximum branch current
Total current is the minimum branch current
According to Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), the total current entering a junction is equal to the total current leaving the junction, which means the total current is the sum of the branch currents.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: In a series circuit, how does the total current relate to the individual branch currents according to KCL?
Solution: According to Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), the total current entering a junction is equal to the total current leaving the junction, which means the total current is the sum of the branch currents.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that a series circuit has only one path for current to flow.
Step 2: Know that Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) states that the total current entering a junction equals the total current leaving the junction.
Step 3: In a series circuit, there are no junctions where current splits; therefore, the current is the same throughout the circuit.
Step 4: Since the current is the same, the total current in the circuit is equal to the current in each branch.
Step 5: Conclude that in a series circuit, the total current is equal to the individual branch currents because there is only one path for the current.
