Linear Circuit Analysis

1. Introduction
2. Basic Concepts
3. Simple Circuits
4. Nodal and Mesh Analysis
5. Additional Analysis Techniques
6. AC Analysis
7. Operational Amplifiers
8. Laplace Transforms
9. Time-Dependent Circuits
10. Two-port networks

Single Loop Circuits

Single loop circuits can usually be analyzed using Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) and Ohm's law.

For instance, let us consider the circuit shown in Fig. 1, in which we need to compute current $I_0$.

I0 3Ω 7V 5V 2Ω 6Ω 4V 1Ω 8Ω
Fig. 1. Applying KVL to compute the current in a single loop circuit.

Writing KVL clockwise (in the direction of current $I_0$) we have $$3I_0+5+2I_0+4+8I_0+1I_0+6I_0-7=0$$ which can be solved to obtain $$I_0= -\frac{2\ V}{20\ Ω}=-0.2\ A = -200\ mA$$

Notice that if we had written KVL in opposite direction (but keep curent $I_0$ as in Fig. 1), we have obtained the same answer for $I_0$.

Sample Solved Problems
See also