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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Krichhoff’s first law

Krichhoff’s first law

In this article we will discuss Kirchhoff's first law, Kirchhoff’s first law examples, how to solve Kirchhoff’s voltage law, Kirchhoff’s second law and more.

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Kirchhoff’s gives two laws: The first law states that the total current entering a junction equals the total current leaving the junction or at a junction, the algebraic total of currents is zero. Since charge cannot be formed or destroyed at a junction, whatever current that enters it must also leave it. Because charge cannot exit the wire, it must circulate around the circuit.

Kirchhoff’s second law : Kirchhoff’s second law, also known as Kirchhoff’s loop (or mesh) rule, or Kirchhoff’s second rule, asserts that:  for any closed loop’s  driven sum of potential differences (voltages) is zero.

Kirchhoff’s first law

In physics, Kirchhoff’s laws describe how current flows through a circuit and how voltage varies across a circuit loop. The principles aid in the simplification of circuits with numerous resistance networks, which are typically difficult to solve due to the use of series and parallel resistors.

The total algebraic sum   of currents in a network of conductors meeting at a location is zero, according to Kirchhoff’s current law, commonly known as Kirchhoff’s junction rule. The law can be summarised as follows: the sum of currents entering a junction equals the sum of currents exiting that junction. The law is depicted in diagram form in the diagrams below:

Kirchhoff’s Current Law

In above figure A:  the sum is i1+i2=i3

In above figure B:  the sum is i1= i2+i3+i4

In figure C, the sum is i1+i2+i3 =0

All of the currents appear to be flowing in the last diagram, but none appear to be flowing out. This may appear strange, but it is not a puzzle. In solving a problem, the individual currents’ directions are chosen at random. Some currents have a negative value as the problem is solved, implying that the actual current flow is in the opposite direction as the one arbitrarily picked initially. If the current’s value is positive, the current’s direction is the same as it was when it was first picked.

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law

The sum of electromotive forces in a loop equals the sum of potential drops in the loop, according to the second law, often known as Kirchhoff’s loop rule or Kirchhoff’s voltage law. However, the directed sum of voltages around any closed loop can be said to be zero. In a closed loop, the sum of all possible differences across all components is zero. The diagram below is a good example of this.

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law

The potential difference Va–Vb=E1is indicated as E1 in the circuit diagram. 

Similarly, the potential difference is Vc–Vd denoted by the symbol –E2 i.e.is Vc–Vd=-E2 here  Vb–Vc=i R1, and Vd–Va=iR2 according to Ohm’s law. The so-called loop equation  becomes E1–E2-iR1-i R2=0 when these four relationships are included in the equation. The value of the current I in the circuit is calculated by multiplying the resistances R1 and R2 in ohms and the EMF (electromotive forces) E1 and E2 in volts. If  E2 >E1 the current i’s solution would be a negative value. 

Use of Kirchhoff’s Laws 

The Kirchoff’s rules are used to examine exceedingly complicated electrical circuits because they simplify the circuits and make computing the quantum of current and voltage in circuits easier since these principles make calculating unknown currents and voltages simple. The sole exception to using these rules is that they only hold if the closed loop has no fluctuating magnetic field, which isn’t always the case.

kirchhoff’s first law examples

Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) is Kirchhoff’s first law, which deals with charge conservation at junctions. We need to utilize specific laws or rules to write down the amount or magnitude of the electrical current flowing around an electrical or electronic circuit in the form of an equation. The network equations employed are Kirchhoff’s laws, and we’ll be looking at Kirchhoff’s current law because we’re working with circuit currents (KCL).

One of the basic laws utilised in circuit analysis is Gustav Kirchhoff’s Current Law. The total current approaching a circuit’s junction is absolutely equal to the all current  leaving  the same junction for a parallel line, as per the current law. This is because it has nowhere else to go and no charge is lost as a result.

a single current junction

The current IT  exiting the junction in this simple single junction example is the algebraic sum of the two current I1 and I2entering the same junction. IT=  I1+ I2 in this case.

It’s important to keep in mind that we could also write this properly  as   IT–  I1+ I2=0.

Conclusion

Krichhoff’ s give two laws: The first law states that the total current entering a junction equals the total current leaving the junction or at a junction, the algebraic total of currents is zero. Krichhoff’s second law : Kirchhoff’s second law, also known as Kirchhoff’s loop (or mesh) rule, or Kirchhoff’s second rule, asserts that:  for any closed loop’s  driven sum of potential differences (voltages) is zero. In physics, Kirchhoff’s laws describe how current flows through a circuit and how voltage varies across a circuit loop. The total  algebraic sum   of currents in a network of conductors meeting at a location is zero, according to Kirchhoff’s current law.

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Define kirchhoff's first law.

Ans. Kirchhoff’s first law governs currents at circuit junctions. It say...Read full

What is Kirchhoff's second law?

Ans. The total of all voltages surrounding a closed loop in any circuit must e...Read full

Write the uses of kirchhoff's law.

Ans.  Kirchhoff’s law is used to calculate the following values in DC c...Read full

What is the value of total current in kirchhoff's first law?

Ans. Total current will be zero.

.How does hyperconjugation affect stability?

Ans. Increased electron delocalization associated with hyperconjugation increa...Read full

Ans. Kirchhoff’s first law governs currents at circuit junctions. It says that the sum of currents flowing into and out of a junction in an electrical circuit equals the sum of currents flowing out of the junction.

Ans. The total of all voltages surrounding a closed loop in any circuit must equal zero, according to Kirchhoff’s second law, often known as the Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL). This is a result of charge saving as well as energy conservation.

Ans.  Kirchhoff’s law is used to calculate the following values in DC circuits: current, voltage, and internal resistance. We can also use this law to find the circuit’s unknown resistance. Kirchhoff’s law is exemplified by the Wheatstone Bridge.

Ans. Total current will be zero.

Ans. Increased electron delocalization associated with hyperconjugation increases the stability of the system. In particular, the new orbital with bonding character is stabilised, resulting in an overall stabilisation of the molecule.

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