Chapter 28

Direct-Current Circuits
Learning Objectives (DC)
Student is expected to be able to:
• define electromotive force, terminal voltage, circuit diagrams.
• solve typical DC circuit.
• analyze resistors network
• apply Kirchhoff's rules
• define time constant of RC circuit.
• analyze RC circuit
• discuss some applications of RC circuit

Figures and details shown in these slides are taken from: University Physics by Young & Freedman (11 th ed), Physics for
Scientists and Engineers by Serway (5 th ed), Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Giancoli (3 rd ed), and many websites.
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Electromotive Force (EMF)
A battery is called either a source of electromotive force
or, more commonly, a source of emf.

The phrase electromotive force is an

unfortunate historical term,
describing not a force, but rather a
potential difference in volts.

The emf  of a battery is the

maximum possible voltage the
battery can provide between its
terminals.
You can think of a source of emf as a “charge pump.”
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Battery Cell  Potential Difference
= Electromotive Force (EMF)

A battery supply constant electromotive force, but not constant

voltage or constant current. Thus, its not source of constant
current.
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Ideal Battery vs. Real Battery
Ideal battery has no internal
resistance.

V ab  
The EMF of a battery is the maximum
possible voltage the battery can
provide between its terminals.
Terminal Voltage: always less than the EMF

Vab    Ir
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
A dry cell delivering 2A has a terminal voltage Vab =1.41 V.
If the emf  = 1.59 V, the internal resistance (in ) of the cell
is:

a) 0.09
b) 0.18
c) 0.71
d) 1.5 Solution
e) zero
V ab    Ir 1.41  1.59  2r
 r  0.09 
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Circuit Diagrams

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Circuit Diagrams
We shall generally assume the
connecting wires in a circuit have no
resistance. The positive terminal of a
battery is at a higher potential than the
negative terminal.
V    Ir  IR
(a) Circuit diagram of a source of emf e
(in this case, a battery), of internal
resistance r, connected to an
external resistor of resistance R.
(b) Graphical representation showing
how the electric potential changes
as the circuit in (a) is traversed
clockwise.
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Connection of Ammeter and Voltmeter

Voltmeter has very high resistance

 Connected in parallel
Ammeter has very low resistance
 Connected in series
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Connection of Ammeter and Voltmeter

V ab    Ir  IR
12  2I  4I
 I  2 A V ab  8V
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Example
What are the voltammeter and ammeter reading in each
situation shown below?

V ab    Ir  IR

I = 0 A, and Vab = 12 V

This is an open
circuit! Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2 nd
Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
A battery with electromotive force ε = 12 V and internal
resistance r = 1 Ω is connected to a 2 Ω resistor. The
consumed power (in W) through the internal resistance of the
A) 1
battery is:

B) 4 Solution
 V ab    Ir  IR
C) 9
 r  1 , R  2 , and   12V
D) 16 12  I  2I I  4 A
E) 144 P  I r  P  16  1  16 W
2

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Maximum Power Delivered:
Matching the Load
Find the value of the load resistance R in
which the maximum power from a
battery with internal resistance r cam be
extracted.

V    Ir  IR

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

Resistors in Series/Parallel

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Resistance in Series

V  V1  V2  IReq  IR1  IR2

 R eq  R1  R 2  ....
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Resistance in Parallel

V V V 1 1 1
I  I1  I 2   
Req R1 R2
    .....
R eq R1 R 2
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Example
In the circuit shown, find the equivalent
resistance between points a and c.
R eq 1  R1  R 2
 R eq 1  8  4  12
1 1 1 1 1 3 1
      
R eq 2 R1 R 2 6 3 6 2
 R eq 2  2

R eq  R eq 1  R eq 2
 R eq  12  2  14
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
If the current passing through the 4  resistor is 1A, then the emf of
the ideal battery  (in V) is:
1 1 1 1 1
    
R eq 1 R1 R 2 6 3
a) 3
1 3 1
b) 6  
R eq 1 6 2
c) 12  R eq 1  2 I
d) 18 R eq  R1  R eq 1  4  2  6
e) 24
V ab    Ir  IR eq , but r  0
   IR eq  1 6  6 V
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Complex Network

Kirchhoff’s Rule I: The Junction Rule

Kirchhoff’s Rule II: The Loop Rule
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule
The algebraic sum of the currents into
any junction is zero.

I  0
 I in  I out

Conservation of electric charges

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
In the circuit shown the current I2 equals:
R5
a) 50 mA
b) 100 mA I1= 200 mA I3= 500 mA
c) 150 mA I = 300 mA R1 R3

d) 200 mA R R2 R4
I2 = ?
e) 500 mA

Solution 
I in  I out  I  I 1  I 2  300  200  I 2
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule
The algebraic sum of the potential differences & emfs in
any loop is zero.

V 0
  IR  0

 
  IR
Conservation of electric energy
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
In the circuit shown, the electrical power (in W) delivered to the 3 Ω
resistance is:
A
(A)1.44 I 3Ω 2Ω
(B) 2.88
(C) 36 4Ω 12V 1Ω
(D) 5.76
(E) 4.32 Solution
Req  3  2  1  4  10 
   IReq  12  10 I  I  1.2 A
 P  IV  RI  3   1.2   4.32 W
2 2

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Test Problem
In the circuit shown I1 = 0.5A. The value of the unknown battery  (in
V) is: 15V
5
(A)13 I in  I out
5
(B) 2  I 3  I1  I 2
I1 I3=2A
(C) 0.5 2  0.5  I 2 a
5
b
(D) 15  I 2  1.5 A I2 1

(E) Zero
    IR 1


  1 I 2  1 I 2  5  I 3
  1.5  1.5  10  13V
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 R-C Circuits

A capacitor is connected in series with a resistor.

Kirchhoff's rules are applicable.
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Why R-C Circuits?

Pacemaker

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

Why R-C Circuits?

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Why R-C Circuits?

Intermittent Windshield Wipers: The wipers are part of an

R-C circuit whose time constant (time between sweeps of
the wipers ) is specified by the rating of both the resistor
and the capacitor
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Charging A Capacitor

V  0
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Q (t )  C   1  e t RC

or
Q (t )  Q f  1  e t RC

dQ  t RC
 I (t )   e
dt R
or
dQ t RC
 I (t )   I 0e
dt
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 What does Time Constant  mean?


Q (t )  Q f 1  e t RC
   RC

Q (RC )  Q f 1  e  RC RC
  Q  1  e   0.632Q
f
1
f

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Test Problem
Calculate the time constant for the circuit shown in the figure:

10 F
a) 140 s
b) 1.4 s 5 k 2 k
10 F
c) 140 s
d) 14 s
e) 140 ms 

  R eqC eq
  (7 103 )  (20 106 )  0.14 s
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
In the figure shown R = 1k, C = 10 F and  =10 V. If, initially,
the capacitor was uncharged, after closing the switch for a time
t = 5 x10-3s the current i (in mA) is:

a) 6.07
b) 3.68
c) 2.23
d) 1.35
e) zero

 t 3 10 5103 103 105

I (t )  e RC
 I (5  10 )  3 e  6.07 mA
R 10
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
In the circuit shown, S is closed at time t = 0 s and the capacitor
is initially uncharged. If R = 2 M, then the time (in s) it takes
the charge on the capacitor to reach 95% of its final charge is:
S
  RC
(a) 30
  2  106  10  106 R
(b) 60 
  20s
(c) 90
C=10F
(d) 120 
Q (t )  Q f 1  e t 

(e) 150 
0.95Q f  Q f 1  e t 20

1  0.95  e t / 20 t  20 ln(0.05)  60s
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Discharging A Capacitor

q
V  0    iR   C  0
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 t 
 Q (t )  Q0 e
or
t 
 Q (t )  C e
dQ Q0 t 
 I (t )   e
dt 
or
dQ  t 
 I (t )   e
dt R
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
In the circuit shown, R = 50 MΩ; C = 1.6 µF and V = 3 V; the capacitor is
initially uncharged and the switch (S) is moved to position a for a long time. If
the switch is now moved to position b, then the correct equation that describes
the variation of charge (in C) with time in the circuit is:

(a )Q (t )  3e t / 80
(b )Q (t )  4.8(1  e t / 80 ) V S a
t / 80
(c )Q (t )  4.8e C R b
(d )Q (t )  4.8e t / 50
t 
Q(t )  C e
  RC
  50 106  1.6  106  80 s  Q(t )  4.8e t 80
C
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
In the circuit shown, if after closing the switch S for long time and the
capacitor get fully charged, it has been opened at time t = 0, then the time it
takes the capacitor to lose 50% of its initial charge is:
(a) 10.4 ns
(b) 10.4 μs
(c) 10.4 ms
(d) 10.4 s
(e) None of the above
τ = RC = 30500 = 15000 µs
 = 15 ms
Q(t) = 0.5 Q0 = Q0 e-t/RC
ln(0.5) = - t/RC
-0.693 = - t/15  t = 10.4 ms
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Extra Examples
&
Solved Problems
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 For the circuit shown in the figure when
Example charging a car find the I, and the potential Vab.

    IR 12  (4)  2I  3I  4I  7 I
8  16I  I  0.5 A
V ab  (4  0.5)  (4V )  ([7  0.5])  9.5 V
or V ab  (3  0.5)  ([2  0.5])  (12 V )  9.5 V
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Example

2
P
R

Before After
V ab    Ir  IR eq V ab    Ir  IR eq
 R 2
R eq  R  I 0  R eq   I   2I 0
R 2 R
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
Consider the circuit shown
and Find:
(a)- The currents I1 and I2.

    IR
Loop (1) gives:
15 = 5 I1 + 5 I1 + (2)(5)
15 =10 I1 + 10
5 = 10 I1
I1 = 5/10 = 0.5 A
Now, I1+I2 = I3
0.5 + I2 = 2  I2 = 2-0.5 =Dr.1.5 AEbrahim, PHYCS 102, 2
Khalil nd
Semester 2019/2020
 (b)- The electromotive
force of the battery ε.
Loop (2) gives:
ε= (I2)(1)+ (2)(5) + (I2)(1)
ε= 2I2 + 10
ε= 2I2 + 10
ε =2(1.5) + 10 = 13V
(c) Find the magnitude of
potential difference (Vab)
between points a and b
Vab= 15 - (-I2)(1) - I1(5) = 15 - (-1.5) – (0.5)(5)
= 15 + 1.5 - 2.5 = 16.5 - 2.5 = 14 V
Vab= 14V
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
(I) Consider the circuit shown when
the switch S is open, find:
(a) The current I.
    IR
 24  12  1 I  8  I  3  I
12  12  I
 I  1A
(b) The potential difference between
points a and b.
I
Vab  1  I  12  4 
2
Vab  12  3  15V
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
(II) Consider the circuit shown when the switch S is closed,
find the currents I, I1 and I2.

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Test Problem
For the circuit shown use to
answer the following:
(a) Find the currents I1, I2 and I3.
Kirchhoff’s rule for voltage gives:
Loop 1 gives: 0 = 20-10-5I2-5I1;
then: 10 = 5I2-5I1
There for : 2 = I2+I1...........(1)
Loop 2 gives: 0 = 20-5I2-10I3;
then: 20 = 5I2+10I3
Therefore : 4 = I2+2I3.........(2)
Kirchhoff’s rule for current gives:
I1+I3=I2………………….(3)
Eqn. (3) and (1) gives:
2 = I2+[I2-I3], which becomes; 2 = 2I2-I3……….(4)
Add Eqn. (2) and (4) after multiplying it by 2;
4 = I2+2I3
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
8 = 5I2 Then :
I2 = 8/5 = 1.6A
Sub. into Eqn. (1) gives;
2 = 1.6+I1;
which gives;
I1 = 2-1.6 = 0.4A
And finally;
I3 = I2-I1 = 1.6-0.4 = 1.2A
(b) Find the value of the potential difference (Vab) between points a
and b
Vab= -20+10 = -10 V
Or = -5I2-5I1 = -5(1.6)-5(0.4) = -8-2 = -10V
lVabl = 10V Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2 Semester 2019/2020
nd
Example

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Example   RC  4 s
From the plot of the current versus time for an
RC circuit with  = 12 V, estimate the values of
R and C used in the circuit.

 t  6  0  12
I (t )  e  I (0)  15 10  e 
R R R
 R  800 k , and   RC  4  8 10 C C  5 F
5

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 Example   RC  4 s
From the plot of the charge versus time for an
RC circuit with  = 12 V, estimate the values
of R and C used in the circuit.

 
 Q(t )  C 1  e  t   Q()  C 1  e    C  
60 106  12C  C  5 106 F
  RC  4  5  106 R  R  800 k 
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 (a) Find the time constant of the circuit shown if
Example R = 10 M, C = 1F and  = 12V.
  R C
  10 10  10 s
7 6

(b) How long it takes to charge the capacitor

to 90%, after S is thrown to position 2.


Q (t )  Q f 1  e t  

0.9Q f  Q f 1  e t 10 
1  0.9  e t /10 t  10 ln(0.1)  23s
(c) After throwing S back to position 1, How long it takes discharging the
capacitor to half of its original charge.

Q (t )  Q 0 e t   0.5Q 0  Q 0e t 10 t  10 ln(0.5)  6.93s

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem 20V
I1 I2
10V
B 20

I3
Consider the circuit shown in
the figure. The circuit is kept 6 I
4
II 3

running for a very long time. 12V

C=10F

(a) Find the currents I1, I2, & I3.

A

 I  0  I1  I 2  I 3 .......(1)
Loop I :     IR  20  12  6 I1  4 I 3  32  6 I1  4 I 3 .....(2)
Loop II :     IR  10  12  3I 2  4 I 3  2  3I1  4 I3 .....(3)
Substitute Eqn (1) int o (2) :32  6 I 2  10 I 3 .....(4)
Multiply Eqn(3) by 2  4  6 I 2  8I 3 .....(5)
Add Eqn(5) and Eqn(4) : 36  18I 3  I 3  2 A
Substitute I 3 int o Eqn(5)  I 2  2 A
Substitute I 2 and I 3 int o Eqn(1)  I1  4 A
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 (b) Determine the voltage VAB.
VAB  10V  20V  (6  4)
VAB  6 V 20V
I1 I2
10V
20
B

I3

4
6 I II 3
C=10F
12V

(c) Calculate the final charge on the capacitor.

Q
C   Q  CVAB  (10  10 )(6)  60C
6

VAB
Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020
 Test Problem
Consider the circuit shown, with the capacitor initially uncharged.
(I): The switch S is moved to point a as
shown and the capacitor starts charging.

(a) Find the time it takes the capacitor to

be charged by 1/3 of its final charge.

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020

 (b) Find the value of the potential difference V ab after a long time.

Vab = - 60 V

(II): Then, the switch S is moved to

point b as shown and the capacitor
starts discharging. Find the time it
takes the charge on the capacitor to
fall to 2/3 of its initial charge.

Dr. Khalil Ebrahim, PHYCS 102, 2nd Semester 2019/2020