Question

Which of the following laws states that “Algebraic sum of the currents at a node is zero”?

• A. Kirchhoff’s current law
• B. Kirchhoff’s voltage law
• C. Thevenin’s theorem
• D. Norton’s theorem

Hint:

KCL deals with currents at a junction; KVL deals with voltages around a closed loop.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine which statement relates to the algebraic sum of currents at a node, we need to understand the given options:

• Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL): This law states that the algebraic sum of currents entering and leaving a junction or node in an electrical circuit is zero. This reflects the principle of conservation of charge.
• Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL): This law states that the sum of the electrical voltages around any closed network is zero. It is concerned with voltage, not current.
• Thevenin’s theorem: This theorem is used for circuit simplification and states that any linear electrical network with voltage/current sources and resistances can be replaced at terminals A-B by an equivalent voltage source V_th in series connection with a resistance R_th.
• Norton’s theorem: Similar to Thevenin’s theorem, this theorem states that any collection of batteries and resistances with two terminals can be replaced by a single current source, I_no, in parallel with a single resistor, R_no.

Based on the descriptions, the correct answer is Kirchhoff’s current law as it directly addresses the principle that the algebraic sum of currents at a node is zero.