Levels

Lab

The physics

The junction law. Charge does not pile up at a point. The currents into a point add up to the currents out of it.

ΣIin = ΣIout

The loop law. Walk once round a closed loop and add every change in potential. You come back to where you started, so the total is zero.

ΣE = ΣIR

A cell crossed from − to + is a rise of E. A resistor crossed along the current is a drop of IR. Against the current, it is a rise.

Several branches may join the same two points. Call one point 0 V and the other V. Then the junction law gives V.