Physics Multiple Choice Questions on “Kirchoff’s Law”.
1. Which among the following is true?
a) According to Kirchhoff’s law, the current flowing towards a junction is equal to the voltage drop
b) According to Kirchhoff’s law, the current flowing towards a junction is equal to the resistance across the junction
c) According to Kirchhoff’s law, the current flowing towards a junction is equal to the current leaving the junction
d) According to Kirchhoff’s law, the current flowing towards a junction is equal to all the currents in the circuit
Answer: c
Clarification: According to Kirchhoff’s first law, the current flowing towards the junction is equal to the current leaving the junction. Mathematically, this law can be expressed as ∑nK – 1 IK = 0 (where n is the number of branches carrying current towards or away from the junction)
2. The equation → ∑e = ∑IR is applicable to which law?
a) Kirchhoff’s second law
b) Kirchhoff’s junction rule
c) Kirchhoff’s third law
d) Newton’s Law
Answer: a
Clarification: The equation → ∑e = ∑IR is applicable to Kirchhoff’s second law. This law is also known as Kirchhoff’s loop rule. This expression tells us that in a closed loop, the algebraic sum of the emfs is equal to the algebraic sum of the products of the resistance and currents flowing through them.
3. Identify the correct statement from the following.
a) While traversing in a closed loop, if negative pole of cell is encountered first, then the emf is negative
b) The product of resistance and current in an arm is taken to be positive if the direction of current is opposite to the direction in which one moves along the closed loop
c) Current flowing away from a junction is taken as positive
d) While traversing in a closed loop, if positive pole of cell is encountered first, then the emf is positive
Answer: d
Clarification: According to sign convention while traversing a closed loop (in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction), if positive pole of the cell is encountered first then its emf is negative or else, it will be positive.
4. Kirchhoff’s first law supports law of conservation of charge.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: Kirchhoff’s first law or Kirchhoff’s junction law supports law of conservation of charge. According to this law, whatever charges are passing towards the junction is equal to the charges leaving the junction. As a result, the charges are conserved, thereby, supporting the law of conservation of charge.
5. Kirchhoff’s laws are applicable in the presence of magnetic field.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Kirchhoff’s law are not applicable in the presence of a magnetic field. This is because, Kirchhoff’s law is based on the assumption that magnetic fields do not exist in closed loops. Therefore, this law cannot be used when there are time varying magnetic fields.
6. Which among the following can be used to analyze circuits?
a) Kirchhoff’s Law
b) Newton’s Law
c) Coulomb’s Law
d) Stephan’s Law
Answer: a
Clarification: Kirchhoff’s Law is used to analyze circuits. This law is important because they represent connections of a circuit. Kirchhoff’s Law provide the constraints that let us find the current flowing and voltage across every circuit element.
7. Find the false statement.
a) Sum of voltage over any closed loop is zero
b) Kirchhoff’s Laws can be applied to any circuit, regardless of its structure and composition
c) Kirchhoff’s 2nd law is applied at nodes
d) Kirchhoff’s 1st law can be applied for both planar and non-planar circuits
Answer: c
Clarification: Kirchhoff’s 2nd year is applied in a closed loop. Kirchhoff’s 2nd law supports the law of conservation of energy. This means that energy is neither created nor destroyed in the closed loop. Whatever energy enters the loop, same amount leaves the loop.