Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule, Ohm’s Law (Resistors in Series and Parallel)
Chloe Davis
7 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers electric circuits, focusing on Kirchhoff's Junction Rule and its application in series and parallel circuits. It explains current, voltage, and resistance calculations in these circuits, including equivalent resistance. The guide also provides practice questions and emphasizes key exam strategies for circuit analysis.
#AP Physics 1: Electric Circuits - Your Night-Before Guide ⚡
Hey there, future physicist! Let's get you prepped for the AP Physics 1 exam with a focused review of electric circuits. Remember, you've got this! đź’Ş
#5.C: Conservation of Charge in Circuits
#Essential Knowledge 5.C.3: Kirchhoff's Junction Rule
The electric charge in a system is always conserved. This is a big deal! đź’ˇ
- Kirchhoff's Junction Rule: This rule is all about the conservation of charge. It states that the total current entering a junction (a point where wires connect) must equal the total current leaving that junction.
- Think of it like water flowing in pipes: what goes in must come out. đź’§
- Current Conservation: The rate of charge transfer (current) is conserved at each junction. No charge disappears or appears out of nowhere.
- Series and Parallel Circuits: You'll see this rule in action in circuits with resistors in series and parallel, and combinations of both.
Focus on understanding how current splits and recombines at junctions. This is a key concept for both MCQs and FRQs.
- Image Explanation: In this circuit, the total current (6A) splits at each branch and then recombines. The current in each branch depends on the resistance of that branch.
#Series Circuits (One Path)
- Current: The current is the same at all points in a series circuit. Think of it as a single lane road; all cars must follow the same path. đźš—
- Voltage: The sum of the voltage drops across each resist...
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