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Wordabulary

kirchhoff's laws

Pronunciation
Noun B2 Upper-intermediate

Quick answer

Two rules used to analyse electric circuits, one stating that current entering a junction equals current leaving it, the other that voltages around a closed loop sum to zero.

"Kirchhoff's laws let the student calculate the current in each branch of the complicated circuit."

Usage notes

These laws are really just statements of conservation of charge and conservation of energy applied to circuits.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "_____ let the student calculate the current in each branch of the complicated circuit."

Answer: kirchhoff's laws

In your own words, what does "kirchhoff's laws" mean?

Two rules used to analyse electric circuits, one stating that current entering a junction equals current leaving it, the other that voltages around a closed loop sum to zero.

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