WileyPlus Homework #2 involves analysis of dc circuits using Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws. There are two issues to consider:

1. We can reduce the number of variables (unknowns) by labeling the circuit carefully. Fewer equations and less algebra will be required to analyze the circuit.

2. Some of the circuits involve dependent sources, which are new to us. Pay attention to the symbols representing the dependent sources and the way in which these symbols are labeled.

WileyPlus Homework 1

Homework 1 has been posted to WileyPlus. One of the problems involves a circuit like this one:


The (ideal) voltmeter is equivalent to an open circuit. In particular, the voltage across the open circuit is equal to the voltage measured by the voltmeter. The color coded voltmeter probes indicate the polarity of the open circuit voltage.

Here's a similar circuit.

The (ideal) ammeter is equivalent to a short circuit. In particular, the current in the short circuit is equal to the current measured by the ammeter. The color coded ammeter probes indicate the reference direction of the short circuit current.

Typical questions ask for the value of the resistance or the power supplied by one of the sources. Answering such questions requires that we pay attention to the "passive convention".

Kirchhoff's Laws

Let's apply Kirchhoff's laws to this circuit using two similar but different points of view:

1. Try to write all possible KCL and KVL equations. (How many are there?)
2. Write a set of Kirchhoff Law equations that can be used to analyze this circuit. (How many equations? Which equations?)