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Questions and Answers
How should the polarities of passive elements (resistors and other loads) be assigned?
How should the polarities of passive elements (resistors and other loads) be assigned?
What is the first step in the circuit analysis process?
What is the first step in the circuit analysis process?
When is the power dissipated by an element considered positive?
When is the power dissipated by an element considered positive?
What is the power dissipated by the battery in the given example?
What is the power dissipated by the battery in the given example?
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In circuit analysis, what does it mean if the arbitrarily chosen direction of the current is consistent with the true polarity of the voltage source?
In circuit analysis, what does it mean if the arbitrarily chosen direction of the current is consistent with the true polarity of the voltage source?
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Study Notes
Passive Element Polarities
- Resistors and loads do not have a defined polarity. The direction of current and voltage drop across them is determined by the circuit configuration.
- Regardless of the direction of current flow, the voltage drop across a passive element is defined as positive in the direction of the current.
First Step in Circuit Analysis
- The first step in circuit analysis is to assign polarities to all voltage sources and to assume a direction of current flow through each element. This is often done arbitrarily.
Positive Power Dissipation
- Power dissipated by an element is considered positive when the assumed current direction enters the higher voltage terminal.
Power Dissipation by Battery
- The power dissipated by a battery is considered negative, indicating that it is supplying power to the circuit.
- This contrasts with the positive power dissipation of the load, which is consuming the supplied power.
Consistent Current Direction
- If the arbitrarily chosen direction of current flow is consistent with the true polarity of the voltage source, the resulting current value will be positive.
- This means the current is flowing in the same direction as the assumed direction.
- If the chosen current direction is opposite the true polarity of the voltage source, the resulting current value will be negative, indicating that the actual flow is opposite the assumed direction.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the steps involved in circuit analysis, from choosing the direction of current flow to computing power dissipation.
