An Introduction
The fundamentals of Network Theory comprise Kirchhoff’s rules. These are the laws that are taught at the very beginning when someone starts studying Circuit Theory and its application. The first law of Kirchhoff quantifies the value and states the nature of current flowing through a circuit. It studies how the current is flowing through the mesh. On the other hand, the second law of Kirchhoff studies and quantifies the behavior of voltage across a loop or circuit. It measures how the voltage is varying across the terminals in a circuit. Gustav Kirchhoff, a renowned German physicist was the first one to describe Kirchhoff’s rules for us back in 1845.
Kirchhoff’s First Law Overview
Various names have been given for Kirchhoff’s first law such as Kirchhoff nodal rule, Kirchhoff’s junction rule, Kirchhoff’s point rule, KCL, or Kirchhoff’s current law. It is a direct application of the electric charge conservation principle. The law simply states that the sum of the currents flowing out of the junction is equal in value with the sum of currents flowing out of that junction. The junction can be any node present inside the circuit. KCL means that the total current flowing into the node and out of the node are always equal.
Based on the outflow and inflow of electric current, analysis of all nodes in a circuit was carried out. Directions of current were presumed beforehand and current directions at any node were based on the presumption. The original direction of current in the circuit will be reflected in the outcome of the analysis. But it will only be possible if from node to node all the directions of current are consistent.
Mathematically, Kirchhoff's first law states that the summation of all currents entering or leaving a note in a circuit having n number of branches is equal to zero. One might also have a good idea regarding Lenz’s law, ohm's law, and Wheatstone bridge concepts to learn about Kirchhoff’s laws.
Using KCL to Solve Circuits
To practically demonstrate the laws, we need to consider a few real-life examples and understand their significance. To find the unknown parameters, it is extremely essential to understand the laws conceptually first. Firstly, let us consider a network or branches having presumed directions of current. The next one needs to determine a particular sign convention for the currents entering or leaving the node. For example, let us consider the currents entering the node to be positive while the current leaving the node should be negative. This convention should be considered throughout the problem.
Considering this convention, if we apply Kirchhoff’s junction rule, then we will get the following equation:
i1(t) + i2(t) – i3(t) = 0
Here we have considered the current i1 and i2 to enter the node and i3 is the current leaving the node. In totality, the current entering the node is equivalent to the current leaving the node. In many problems, an unknown current is given which is either entering or leaving a node with all the other current values given. One needs to find the unknown value. Here one can easily apply Kirchhoff’s current law to find out the value by framing the equation just like before.
Advantages of Kirchhoff’s Law
There are various advantages of using Kirchhoff’s laws due to which they form a major part of the basics regarding the circuit theory section. Firstly, unknown voltage and current calculation become far easier. There are plenty of complex circuits which are closed in a structure where circuit analysis is usually a bit tricky. But with Kirchhoff's first law the analysis and calculation of these complex circuits become manageable and easy. There are plenty of other advantages but these are the most important ones.
Solved Examples
What are the Basic Laws for analyzing Electrical Circuits?
Faraday’s Law
Newton’s Law
Einstein’s Law
Kirchhoff’s Law
Answer: Option d.
2. What is the Basic Principle on which KCL is based?
At a node, no charge accumulation can take place.
At a node, charge accumulation is very much possible.
Charge accumulation may or may not be possible at any nodes.
A node can easily store energy.
Answer: Option a.
3. To which of these is Kirchhoff’s Current Rule applicable?
Electronic Devices
Circuit loops and meshes
Electrical Devices
Junction and nodes
Answer: Option d.
Knowing the BCE Full Form and its Importance in Regular Use
As a result of BC's separation from BCE, most of us are familiar with the acronym BCE. A full definition of BCE can be found here. As opposed to the traditional BC (Before Christ), it refers to the contemporary period. As the years were used in descending order until the Common Era began, the abbreviation BCE stands for this time.
In Wales and England, it was initiated around 2002 for all schools to use the abbreviation BCE and not BC in the history curriculum. As a result, other countries followed suit, and the term BC was eliminated from history textbooks.
Redundancy of BC as a Probable Reason
The most common answer to the question, Why don't we use BC anymore? Can be found here. The reason was that no one wanted to detach the years from the year of the birth of Jesus Christ. There is no denying that this is a desperate attempt to maintain communal harmony.
Understanding BCE in its Fullest Sense has many Benefits
Learning the Full Meaning of BCE will provide you with the following benefits if not all:
1. Understanding the difference between BCE and BC will be very helpful to you as a student.
2. Additionally, you will know that Before the Common Era (check the Full Meaning of BCE) is commonly accepted as an alternative to BC. This will help you avoid losing marks on your exams.
3. Examination boards, universities, and colleges do not accept the outdated abbreviation BC. BCE is a better choice.
In order to avoid making any blatant mistakes while writing your exam papers or presenting your research papers, you must keep in mind the above points.
We hope that the information about the BCE Full Form, which is Before Common Era, will prove to be useful to you. History students and those just learning about it will be benefited as well. If you are interested in learning more about the BCE acronym, then surf the internet or buy any of the goods and reliable histories.
On all the newest editions of the books, you will most likely encounter the abbreviation BCE rather than BC. If you are using old copies, you may use BC, but if you are using new copies, you need to use BCE.
FAQs on BCE Full Form
1. What is the history behind BCE?
Calendars evolve like everything else in life. In the western world, our calendars trace their roots to the old Roman calendar and the newer Julian calendar, proposed by Julius Caesar. Today, we use the Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in 1582. In modern times, you may encounter dates in the CE (Common Era) or BCE (Before Common Era) format. The time-keeping systems they represent follow a similar evolution to AD (anno Domini) and BC (before Christ).
By definition, BCE (before the common era) refers to a secular version of BC (before Christ). In Latin, CE (Common Era) means "in the year of the Lord" and is the secular equivalent of AD (anno Domini). The international calendar standard, Time and Date, accepts either designation, although scientific circles largely use the BCE/CE format.
2. What is the full form of BC, AD, CE?
The full forms of BC, AD, and CE
BC stands for Before Christ. During the period before the birth of Christ, BC stood for Before Christ.
An AD is a Latin term that refers to the birth of Jesus as happening in the year of the Lord.
CE stands for Common Era. A common name for this system of reckoning is called the Common Era. It has become the basis for civil dates in many countries, including those where Christianity is not widely practiced.
3. BCE: What is its significance?
An abbreviation for Before Current Era, Before Christian Era, or Before Common Era, means a year before the birth of Jesus Christ when the Christian calendar starts counting years: Celtic remains date back to 1200 B.C.E.
4. BC was changed to BCE by whom?
Monk Dionysius Exiguus
There was a monk named Dionysius Exiguus who lived in Romania and Bulgaria during the 4th century. The year 525 was a turning point in the history of time. Dionysius started a movement to define time as "before Christ" and "after Christ", rather than counting the years based on the reign of emperors.
5. When did the BCE begin?
In an effort to cater to people of all cultures and faiths, the BCE/CE dating system has been used since the 17th century by scholarly publications.
6. What are the applications and limitations of Kirchhoff’s Laws?
Kirchhoff's laws have plenty of applications but it also has many limitations and disadvantages. To start with, many complex circuits require detailed analysis. Kirchhoff’s laws help to simplify these circuits and calculate unknown currents and voltages more effectively. These laws can be used in the analysis of any electrical circuit practically. But there are pros and cons to everything. Similarly, Kirchhoff’s law also has various limitations and disadvantages.
The major drawback of Kirchhoff’s law is that it assumes that the closed-loop has no magnetic field in it which is fluctuating. Induction of emf or any electric fields is possible in the circuit. This will eventually cause the current and voltage rule to fail. High-frequency circuits are also affected by KCL. Another issue is, only if the entire electric charge is constant inside the circuit, then KCL is valid and applicable.
7. What is Kirchhoff’s First Law?
The most probable question for any circuit theory beginner is ‘state Kirchhoff’s first law’. Kirchhoff’s first law which is also known as Kirchhoff’s current rule clearly states that zero amount of charge is lost within a node. Hence, the amount of charge entering the node or current incoming is equivalent in value to the amount of charge exiting the same node or current outgoing. When many branches of conductors meet at a particular node, then the total sum of charge or current around the node is zero. Generally, a sign convention is maintained throughout a circuit analysis. The current entering a particular node is considered as positive while the one leaving is considered as negative.
