Kirchhoff's laws
/ˈkɪətʃɒfs
/plural noun Physics
Two laws concerning electric networks in which steady currents are flowing. The first law states that the algebraic sum of the currents in all the conductors that meet in a point is zero. The second law states that the algebraic sum of the products of current and resistance in each part of any closed path in a network is equal to the algebraic sum of the electromotive forces in the path.For branched cycles, Kirchhoff's law can be applied to calculate the resistance of the complete network, in analogy to its use for electric circuits....
- In working with Kirchhoff's law, positive and negative polarities are assigned in the direction of current flow.
- Since Kirchhoff's laws are derived from general physical properties of electricity, they are applicable to all kinds of electric circuits.
Origin
Mid 19th century: named after G. R. Kirchhoff (see Kirchhoff, Gustav Robert).