Circuit Analysis 1: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 14 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

1Formulas and methods

Series & parallel resistors

Resistors in series
Req = R1 + R2 + …
Resistors in parallel
1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + …
Two in parallel
Req = R1R2 / (R1 + R2)
Ohm's law
V = I·R
Power
P = V·I = I²R = V²/R

Method

  1. Start at the end of the network furthest from the terminals.
  2. Combine resistors in series by adding them, and resistors in parallel with 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …
  3. Redraw the circuit after each step.
  4. Repeat until one resistor is left between the terminals.

Nodal analysis

Kirchhoff’s current law
ΣIin = ΣIout
Branch current
I = (Va − Vb)/R
Reference node
Vground = 0

Method

  1. Choose a reference node (ground) and label the other node voltages.
  2. Write Kirchhoff’s current law at every unknown node: currents leaving through each branch equal the currents entering.
  3. Express every branch current as (Va − Vb)/R.
  4. Solve the system of equations, then find any current you need.

Mesh analysis

Kirchhoff’s voltage law
ΣV = 0 around every loop
Shared resistor
current = I1 − I2
Current source in a mesh
fixes that mesh current

Method

  1. Draw a clockwise current in every mesh (window) of the circuit.
  2. Apply Kirchhoff’s voltage law around each mesh: the sum of voltage drops is zero.
  3. In a resistor shared by two meshes the current is the difference of the two mesh currents.
  4. Solve the equations; a negative result means the current flows the other way.

Superposition

Superposition
x = x1 + x2 + … (one source at a time)
Switched-off voltage source
short circuit (0 V)
Switched-off current source
open circuit (0 A)
Voltage divider
V2 = V·R2/(R1 + R2)
Current divider
I1 = I·R2/(R1 + R2)

Method

  1. Count the independent sources. You will solve one simpler circuit per source.
  2. Keep one source and switch off the others: a voltage source becomes a short circuit (a wire), a current source becomes an open circuit (a gap).
  3. Solve the simpler circuit for the voltage or current you need, keeping track of its direction.
  4. Repeat for every source, then add the contributions with their signs.

Thévenin & Norton

Thévenin voltage
Vth = Vopen circuit
Thévenin resistance
Rth: all sources off, seen from a–b
Norton current
IN = Vth/Rth
Load current
IL = Vth/(Rth + RL)
Maximum power transfer
RL = Rth, Pmax = Vth²/(4Rth)

Method

  1. Remove the load and mark the two terminals a and b.
  2. Find the open-circuit voltage between a and b: this is Vth.
  3. Switch off all independent sources and find the resistance seen from a–b: this is Rth.
  4. Put the load back on the equivalent circuit: Vth in series with Rth.
  5. For the Norton equivalent, convert: IN = Vth/Rth, with RN = Rth in parallel.

Op-amp circuits

Inverting amplifier
Vout = −(Rf/Rin)·Vin
Non-inverting amplifier
Vout = (1 + Rf/R1)·Vin
Summing amplifier
Vout = −Rf(V1/R1 + V2/R2)
Ideal op-amp
V+ = V−, Iin = 0

RC & RL transients

Time constant
τ = RC | τ = L/R
Response
x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ
Capacitor at DC
open circuit; vC cannot jump
Inductor at DC
short circuit; iL cannot jump
Settled
t ≈ 5τ

Method

  1. Find the initial value just after switching: a capacitor voltage and an inductor current cannot jump.
  2. Find the final value long after switching: a capacitor acts as an open circuit, an inductor as a short circuit.
  3. Find the time constant: τ = RC or τ = L/R, using the resistance seen by the capacitor or inductor.
  4. Use x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ.

2Practice problems

1.Series & parallel resistorsMedium
R1​ = 8 ΩIR1​R3​ = 15 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​10 ΩAR4​2 ΩB

Find the current IR1 delivered by the source, which flows through R1.

V1 = 6 VR1 = 8 ΩR2 = 10 ΩR3 = 15 ΩR4 = 2 Ω
IR1 = A
2.Series & parallel resistorsHard
R1​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 30 ΩR5​ = 10 Ω+−V1​10 VR2​2 ΩIR2​AR4​12 ΩBR6​30 Ω

Find the current IR2 through R2.

V1 = 10 VR1 = 5 ΩR2 = 2 ΩR3 = 30 ΩR4 = 12 ΩR5 = 10 ΩR6 = 30 Ω
IR2 = A
3.Nodal analysisMedium
R1​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 4 ΩIR3​+−V1​12 VR2​15 ΩAR4​12 ΩBIs​3 A

Use nodal analysis to find the current IR3 through R3 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 12 VIs = 3 AR1 = 5 ΩR2 = 15 ΩR3 = 4 ΩR4 = 12 Ω
IR3 = A
4.Nodal analysisHard
R1​ = 4 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩR4​ = 15 ΩIR4​+−V1​30 VR3​12 ΩAR5​30 ΩBIs​4 A+−V2​9 V

Use nodal analysis to find the current IR4 through R4 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 30 VIs = 4 AV2 = 9 VR1 = 4 ΩR2 = 25 ΩR3 = 12 ΩR4 = 15 ΩR5 = 30 Ω
IR4 = A
5.Mesh analysisMedium
R1​ = 15 ΩR2​ = 5 ΩIR2​+−V1​24 VR3​5 ΩA+−V2​18 VI1​I2​

Use mesh analysis to find the current IR2 through R2 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 24 VV2 = 18 VR1 = 15 ΩR2 = 5 ΩR3 = 5 Ω
IR2 = A
6.Mesh analysisHard
R1​ = 15 ΩR2​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​10 VR4​8 Ω+−VR4​AR5​4 ΩB+−V2​24 VI1​I2​I3​

Use mesh analysis to find the voltage VR4 across R4 with the polarity shown.

V1 = 10 VV2 = 24 VR1 = 15 ΩR2 = 5 ΩR3 = 4 ΩR4 = 8 ΩR5 = 4 Ω
VR4 = V
7.SuperpositionMedium
R1​ = 15 ΩR3​ = 12 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​6 ΩIR2​AR4​5 ΩBIs​2 A

Use superposition to find the current IR2 through R2 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 6 VIs = 2 AR1 = 15 ΩR2 = 6 ΩR3 = 12 ΩR4 = 5 Ω
IR2 = A
8.SuperpositionHard
R1​ = 8 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩIR2​R4​ = 4 Ω+−V1​36 VR3​5 ΩAIs​0.5 AB+−V2​36 V

Use superposition to find the current IR2 through R2 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 36 VIs = 0.5 AV2 = 36 VR1 = 8 ΩR2 = 25 ΩR3 = 5 ΩR4 = 4 Ω
IR2 = A
9.Thévenin & NortonMedium
R1​ = 20 ΩR3​ = 20 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​4 ΩARL​15 ΩIL​B

A load RL = 15 Ω is connected across a–b. Replace the rest of the circuit with its Thévenin equivalent and find the load current IL.

V1 = 18 VR1 = 20 ΩR2 = 4 ΩR3 = 20 ΩRL = 15 Ω
IL = A
10.Thévenin & NortonHard
R1​ = 4 ΩR3​ = 5 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​6 ΩAIs​6 ABab

Find the Norton current IN: the current that flows from a to b if the terminals are shorted.

V1 = 18 VIs = 6 AR1 = 4 ΩR2 = 6 ΩR3 = 5 Ω
IN = A
11.Op-amp circuitsMedium
−+Vout​Rf​ = 100 kΩVin​R1​ = 22 kΩ

The op-amp is ideal and runs from ±15 V supplies; its output saturates at ±14 V. The inverting amplifier is driven by a sine wave. Find the largest input amplitude Vin,max (peak value) for which the output does not clip.

R1 = 22 kΩRf = 100 kΩVsat = ±14 V
Vin,max = V
12.Op-amp circuitsHard
−+Vout​Rf​ = 2 kΩV1​ = −1.7 VR1​ = 2 kΩV2​ = −2 VR2​ = 22 kΩIf​

The summing amplifier uses an ideal op-amp with ±15 V supplies. Find the current If through the feedback resistor, flowing towards the output.

V1 = −1.7 VV2 = −2 VR1 = 2 kΩR2 = 22 kΩRf = 2 kΩ
If = mA
13.RC & RL transientsMedium
+−Vs​12 Vt = 0R = 22 ΩL150 mHi(t)

The inductor carries no current before the switch closes at t = 0. How long after the switch closes does the current reach 75% of its final value? Find t.

Vs = 12 VR = 22 ΩL = 150 mH
t = ms
14.RC & RL transientsHard
+−Vs​15 Vt = 0R = 2.2 kΩC68 µF+−vC​vC​(0) = 12 V

Just before the switch closes at t = 0, the capacitor holds 12 V with the polarity shown. Find the capacitor voltage vC at t = 40 ms.

Vs = 15 VR = 2.2 kΩC = 68 µFvC(0) = 12 Vt = 40 ms
vC = V

3Solutions

1.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: IR1 = 0.4197 A

Series and parallel resistors: in series the same current flows through each resistor and R = R₁ + R₂ + …. In parallel each resistor has the same voltage and 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …. A ladder network is reduced one pair at a time until a single equivalent resistance remains.

R1​ = 8 ΩR3​ = 15 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​10 ΩAR4​2 ΩB

Combine resistors from the far end

Start at the end farthest from the source and work back towards it. Resistors carrying the same current are in series; resistors across the same two nodes are in parallel.

R3 + R4 = 15 + 2 = 17 Ω
R2 ∥ 17 = 10·17/(10+17) = 6.296 Ω
Req = R1 + 6.296 = 8 + 6.296 = 14.3 Ω

Current from the source

The source sees only Req, so Ohm’s law gives the current it delivers. That current flows through R₁.

IR1 = V1/Req = 6/14.3 = 0.4197 A

Answer

IR1 = 0.4197 A
2.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: IR2 = 1.378 A

Series and parallel resistors: in series the same current flows through each resistor and R = R₁ + R₂ + …. In parallel each resistor has the same voltage and 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …. A ladder network is reduced one pair at a time until a single equivalent resistance remains.

R1​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 30 ΩR5​ = 10 Ω+−V1​10 VR2​2 ΩAR4​12 ΩBR6​30 Ω

Combine resistors from the far end

Start at the end farthest from the source and work back towards it. Resistors carrying the same current are in series; resistors across the same two nodes are in parallel.

R5 + R6 = 10 + 30 = 40 Ω
R4 ∥ 40 = 9.231 Ω
R3 + 9.231 = 39.23 Ω
R2 ∥ 39.23 = 1.903 Ω
Req = R1 + 1.903 = 5 + 1.903 = 6.903 Ω

Current from the source

The source sees only Req, so Ohm’s law gives the current it delivers. That current flows through R₁.

IR1 = V1/Req = 10/6.903 = 1.449 A

Current through R₂

Subtract the drop across R₁ to get the voltage at node A, which is the voltage across R₂.

VA = V1 − IR1·R1 = 10 − 1.449·5 = 2.757 V
IR2 = VA/R2 = 2.757/2 = 1.378 A

Answer

IR2 = 1.378 A
3.Nodal analysis

Answer: IR3 = −1.367 A

Nodal analysis: choose a reference node, label the unknown node voltages, write Kirchhoff’s current law at each unknown node using Ohm’s law (I = ΔV/R), and solve the resulting equations.

R1​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​12 VR2​15 ΩAR4​12 ΩBIs​3 A

Set up the nodes

Ground is the bottom wire. Known node voltages come straight from the sources (V1 = 12 V). Unknowns: VA, VB.

KCL at node A

Currents leaving A through the resistors equal the current pushed into A by sources.

VA/R2 + (VA − V1)/R1 + (VA − VB)/R3 = 0
VA/15 + (VA − 12)/5 + (VA − VB)/4 = 0
0.5167·VA − 0.25·VB = 2.4

KCL at node B

Currents leaving B through the resistors equal the current pushed into B by sources.

VB/R4 + (VB − VA)/R3 = Is
VB/12 + (VB − VA)/4 = 3
−0.25·VA + 0.3333·VB = 3

Solve

Δ = (0.5167)(0.3333) − (−0.25)(−0.25) = 0.1097
VA = Δ1/Δ = 1.55/0.1097 = 14.13 V
VB = Δ2/Δ = 2.15/0.1097 = 19.59 V

Answer

IR3 = (VA − VB)/R3 = (14.13 − 19.59)/4 = −1.367 A
4.Nodal analysis

Answer: IR4 = 2.054 A

Nodal analysis: choose a reference node, label the unknown node voltages, write Kirchhoff’s current law at each unknown node using Ohm’s law (I = ΔV/R), and solve the resulting equations.

R1​ = 4 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩR4​ = 15 Ω+−V1​30 VR3​12 ΩAR5​30 ΩBIs​4 A+−V2​9 V

Set up the nodes

Ground is the bottom wire. Known node voltages come straight from the sources (V1 = 30 V, V2 = 9 V). Unknowns: VA, VB.

KCL at node A

Currents leaving A through the resistors equal the current pushed into A by sources.

VA/R3 + (VA − V1)/R1 + (VA − VB)/R2 = 0
VA/12 + (VA − 30)/4 + (VA − VB)/25 = 0
0.3733·VA − 0.04·VB = 7.5

KCL at node B

Currents leaving B through the resistors equal the current pushed into B by sources.

VB/R5 + (VB − VA)/R2 + (VB − V2)/R4 = Is
VB/30 + (VB − VA)/25 + (VB − 9)/15 = 4
−0.04·VA + 0.14·VB = 4.6

Solve

Δ = (0.3733)(0.14) − (−0.04)(−0.04) = 0.05067
VA = Δ1/Δ = 1.234/0.05067 = 24.36 V
VB = Δ2/Δ = 2.017/0.05067 = 39.82 V

Answer

IR4 = (VB − V2)/R4 = (39.82 − 9)/15 = 2.054 A
5.Mesh analysis

Answer: IR2 = −1.371 A

Mesh analysis: give each window of a planar circuit its own loop current, write Kirchhoff’s voltage law around each loop (sum of drops = sum of rises), and solve. Branch currents are the mesh current, or the difference of two mesh currents on a shared branch.

R1​ = 15 ΩR2​ = 5 Ω+−V1​24 VR3​5 ΩA+−V2​18 VI1​I2​

Assign mesh currents

Draw a clockwise current in each window: I1, I2. A resistor shared by two meshes carries the difference of their currents.

KVL around mesh 1

Going clockwise, the voltage drops across resistors equal the source voltage rises (− to + in the direction of travel).

R1·I1 + R3(I1 − I2) = V1
15·I1 + 5(I1 − I2) = 24
20·I1 − 5·I2 = 24

KVL around mesh 2

Going clockwise, the voltage drops across resistors equal the source voltage rises (− to + in the direction of travel).

R2·I2 + R3(I2 − I1) = −V2
5·I2 + 5(I2 − I1) = (−18)
−5·I1 + 10·I2 = −18

Solve

Δ = (20)(10) − (−5)(−5) = 175
I1 = Δ1/Δ = 150/175 = 0.8571 A
I2 = Δ2/Δ = −240/175 = −1.371 A

Answer

IR2 = I2 = −1.371 A

A negative mesh current flows anticlockwise.

6.Mesh analysis

Answer: VR4 = 7.117 V

Mesh analysis: give each window of a planar circuit its own loop current, write Kirchhoff’s voltage law around each loop (sum of drops = sum of rises), and solve. Branch currents are the mesh current, or the difference of two mesh currents on a shared branch.

R1​ = 15 ΩR2​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​10 VR4​8 ΩAR5​4 ΩB+−V2​24 VI1​I2​I3​

Assign mesh currents

Draw a clockwise current in each window: I1, I2, I3. A resistor shared by two meshes carries the difference of their currents.

KVL around mesh 1

Going clockwise, the voltage drops across resistors equal the source voltage rises (− to + in the direction of travel).

R1·I1 + R4(I1 − I2) = V1
15·I1 + 8(I1 − I2) = 10
23·I1 − 8·I2 = 10

KVL around mesh 2

Going clockwise, the voltage drops across resistors equal the source voltage rises (− to + in the direction of travel).

R2·I2 + R4(I2 − I1) + R5(I2 − I3) = 0
5·I2 + 8(I2 − I1) + 4(I2 − I3) = 0
−8·I1 + 17·I2 − 4·I3 = 0

KVL around mesh 3

Going clockwise, the voltage drops across resistors equal the source voltage rises (− to + in the direction of travel).

R3·I3 + R5(I3 − I2) = −V2
4·I3 + 4(I3 − I2) = (−24)
−4·I2 + 8·I3 = −24

Solve

Δ = det of the coefficient matrix = 2248
I1 = Δ1/Δ = 432/2248 = 0.1922 A
I2 = Δ2/Δ = −1568/2248 = −0.6975 A
I3 = Δ3/Δ = −7528/2248 = −3.349 A

Answer

IR4 = I1 − I2 = 0.8897 A
VR4 = IR4·R4 = 0.8897·8 = 7.117 V

A negative mesh current flows anticlockwise.

7.Superposition

Answer: IR2 = 0.1074 A

Superposition: in a linear circuit, any voltage or current is the sum of the responses to each independent source acting alone. To switch a source off, replace an ideal voltage source with a short circuit and an ideal current source with an open circuit. Resistors stay where they are.

R1​ = 15 ΩR3​ = 12 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​6 ΩAR4​5 ΩBOPEN

Case 1 · V1 acting alone

Iₛ becomes an open circuit, so R₃ and R₄ form one series branch from A to ground, in parallel with R₂.

R3+R4 = 12+5 = 17 Ω
R2 ∥ (R3+R4) = 6·17/(6+17) = 4.435 Ω
VA = 6·4.435/(15+4.435) = 1.369 V
VB = VA·R4/(R3+R4) = 1.369·5/17 = 0.4027 V
IR2′ = (0 − VA)/R2 = (0 − 1.369)/6 = −0.2282 A
R1​ = 15 ΩR3​ = 12 ΩSHORTR2​6 ΩAR4​5 ΩBIs​2 A

Case 2 · Is acting alone

V₁ becomes a short, so R₁ is in parallel with R₂. Iₛ splits at B between R₄ and the path through R₃.

R1 ∥ R2 = 15·6/(15+6) = 4.286 Ω
Req = R4 ∥ (R3+R1∥R2) = 5 ∥ 16.29 = 3.826 Ω
VB = Is·Req = (−2)·3.826 = −7.651 V
VA = VB·(R1∥R2)/(R3+R1∥R2) = −7.651·4.286/16.29 = −2.013 V
IR2″ = (0 − VA)/R2 = (0 − −2.013)/6 = 0.3356 A

Add the contributions

IR2 = IR2′ + IR2″
IR2 = (−0.2282) + 0.3356 = 0.1074 A

A negative result means the real current flows against the arrow.

8.Superposition

Answer: IR2 = −0.753 A

Superposition: in a linear circuit, any voltage or current is the sum of the responses to each independent source acting alone. To switch a source off, replace an ideal voltage source with a short circuit and an ideal current source with an open circuit. Resistors stay where they are.

R1​ = 8 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩR4​ = 4 Ω+−V1​36 VR3​5 ΩAOPENBSHORT

Case 1 · V1 acting alone

V₂ becomes a short and Iₛ an open circuit. Seen from A, R₃ is in parallel with the series pair R₂+R₄.

R3 ∥ (R2+R4) = 5 ∥ 29 = 4.265 Ω
VA = 36·4.265/(8+4.265) = 12.52 V
VB = VA·R4/(R2+R4) = 12.52·4/29 = 1.727 V
IR2′ = (VA − VB)/R2 = (12.52 − 1.727)/25 = 0.4317 A
R1​ = 8 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩR4​ = 4 ΩSHORTR3​5 ΩAIs​0.5 ABSHORT

Case 2 · Is acting alone

Both voltage sources become shorts. Iₛ splits at B between R₄ (now to ground) and R₂ in series with R₁ ∥ R₃.

R1 ∥ R3 = 3.077 Ω, so the left path is R2+3.077 = 28.08 Ω
Req = R4 ∥ 28.08 = 3.501 Ω
VB = Is·Req = 0.5·3.501 = 1.751 V
VA = VB·3.077/28.08 = 0.1918 V
IR2″ = (VA − VB)/R2 = (0.1918 − 1.751)/25 = −0.06235 A
R1​ = 8 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩR4​ = 4 ΩSHORTR3​5 ΩAOPENB+−V2​36 V

Case 3 · V2 acting alone

V₁ becomes a short and Iₛ an open circuit. R₁ ∥ R₃ hangs from A, in series with R₂ back to B.

R1 ∥ R3 = 8·5/(8+5) = 3.077 Ω
VB = V2·(R2+R1∥R3)/(R4+R2+R1∥R3) = 36·28.08/32.08 = 31.51 V
VA = VB·(R1∥R3)/(R2+R1∥R3) = 31.51·3.077/28.08 = 3.453 V
IR2‴ = (VA − VB)/R2 = (3.453 − 31.51)/25 = −1.122 A

Add the contributions

IR2 = IR2′ + IR2″ + IR2‴
IR2 = 0.4317 + (−0.06235) + (−1.122) = −0.753 A

A negative result means the real current flows against the arrow.

9.Thévenin & Norton

Answer: IL = 0.07826 A

Thévenin’s theorem: any linear two-terminal network behaves like a single voltage source Vth in series with a resistance Rth. Norton’s theorem gives the same network as a current source IN = Vth/Rth in parallel with Rth.

R1​ = 20 ΩR3​ = 20 ΩSHORTR2​4 ΩAabRth​

Find Rth with every source switched off

Replace voltage sources with shorts and current sources with opens, then look into the circuit from a–b.

R1 ∥ R2 = 20·4/(20+4) = 3.333 Ω
Rth = (R1 ∥ R2) + R3 = 3.333 + 20 = 23.33 Ω
R1​ = 20 ΩR3​ = 20 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​4 ΩAab+−Vth​

Find Vth, the open-circuit voltage

With a–b open, no current flows through R₃, so there is no drop across it and V_b = V_A. R₁ and R₂ form a voltage divider.

Vth = V1·R2/(R1+R2) = 18·4/(20+4) = 3 V
Rth​ = 23.33 Ω+−Vth​3 VRL​15 ΩIL​

Connect the load to the Thévenin equivalent

The Thévenin source and R_th in series behave exactly like the original circuit at a–b, so the load sees a simple series loop.

IL = Vth/(Rth + RL) = 3/(23.33 + 15) = 0.07826 A
10.Thévenin & Norton

Answer: IN = 7.459 A

Thévenin’s theorem: any linear two-terminal network behaves like a single voltage source Vth in series with a resistance Rth. Norton’s theorem gives the same network as a current source IN = Vth/Rth in parallel with Rth.

R1​ = 4 ΩR3​ = 5 ΩSHORTR2​6 ΩAOPENBabRth​

Find Rth with every source switched off

Replace voltage sources with shorts and current sources with opens, then look into the circuit from a–b.

R1 ∥ R2 = 4·6/(4+6) = 2.4 Ω
Rth = (R1 ∥ R2) + R3 = 2.4 + 5 = 7.4 Ω
R1​ = 4 ΩR3​ = 5 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​6 ΩAIs​6 ABab+−Vth​

Find Vth, the open-circuit voltage

With a–b open, the only path for Iₛ is through R₃ into node A. Find V_A by superposition of V₁ and Iₛ, then add the drop across R₃.

VA = V1·R2/(R1+R2) + Is·(R1∥R2) = 10.8 + 6·2.4 = 25.2 V
Vth = VB = VA + Is·R3 = 25.2 + 6·5 = 55.2 V
IN​7.459 ARth​7.4 Ωab

Norton equivalent

A Norton source is the same circuit seen as a current source in parallel with R_th. Its current is the short-circuit current at a–b.

IN = Vth/Rth = 55.2/7.4 = 7.459 A
11.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vin,max = 3.08 V

Ideal op-amp rules: with negative feedback, the op-amp drives its output so that its two inputs sit at the same voltage (V₋ = V₊), and no current flows into either input. Writing KCL at the inverting input with these two facts gives the output.

Gain

|Av| = Rf/R1 = 100/22 = 4.545

Largest input before clipping

Vin,max = Vsat/|Av| = 14/4.545 = 3.08 V

Answer

Vin,max = 3.08 V
12.Op-amp circuits

Answer: If = −0.9409 mA

Ideal op-amp rules: with negative feedback, the op-amp drives its output so that its two inputs sit at the same voltage (V₋ = V₊), and no current flows into either input. Writing KCL at the inverting input with these two facts gives the output.

Input currents

V₋ = 0, so each input resistor has its full input voltage across it.

I1 = V1/R1 = −1.7/2 = −0.85 mA
I2 = V2/R2 = −2/22 = −0.09091 mA
If = I1 + I2 = −0.9409 mA

Answer

If = −0.9409 mA
13.RC & RL transients

Answer: t = 9.452 ms

First-order transients: in a circuit with one capacitor or one inductor, every voltage and current moves exponentially from its initial value to its final value: x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ, with τ = RC or τ = L/R. After about 5τ the circuit has settled.

Time constant and final current

Long after the switch closes the inductor behaves like a short circuit, so the final current is set by R alone.

τ = L/R = 150 mH / 22 Ω = 6.818 ms
i(∞) = Vs/R = 12/22 = 0.5455 A

Solve for the time

0.75 = 1 − e−t/τ → t = −τ·ln(1 − 0.75)
t = −6.818·ln(0.25) = 9.452 ms

Answer

t = 9.452 ms
14.RC & RL transients

Answer: vC = 12.7 V

First-order transients: in a circuit with one capacitor or one inductor, every voltage and current moves exponentially from its initial value to its final value: x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ, with τ = RC or τ = L/R. After about 5τ the circuit has settled.

Initial value, final value, time constant

The capacitor voltage cannot jump, so it starts at its stored value and heads for the source voltage.

vC(0) = 12 V, vC(∞) = Vs = 15 V
τ = R·C = 2.2 kΩ · 68 µF = 149.6 ms
vC(t) = 15 + (12 − 15)·e−t/τ

Voltage at the given time

vC(40) = 15 + (−3)·e−40/149.6 = 12.7 V

Answer

vC = 12.7 V

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/circuit-analysis-1