Kirchhoff's Circuit Rules

Introduction

The purpose of this lab is to test Kirchhoff's Rules. Pasco Electric Boards, which you are already familiar with, will be used. You will also need resistors and a multimeter.

Theory

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

Watch the video below (about 10 min) to learn about the loop rule. In the figure, all three loops are identified on the electric board that you will use in the lab.

Kirchhoff's Junction Rule

Watch the video below (about 5 min) to learn about the junction rule. In the figure, both junctions are identified on the electric board that you will use in the lab.

Experimental Procedure

1. Build a circuit according to the provided worksheet.

2. Make sure that you use comparable resistors, values between 100 ohm and 1000 ohm.

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

3. Measure voltages in a loop as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5.

4. Add the measured voltages. What value do you expect?

5. Repeat points 3 and 4 for the two remaining loops.

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

6. Measure currents in a junction as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8.

7. Add the measured currents. What value do you expect?

8. Repeat for the other junction.