Mechanical Universe

Design and analysis of currents flowing in series and parallel circuits of resistors and capacitors depend not only on the celebrated laws of Ohm and Kirchhoff, but also on the less celebrated work of Charles Wheatstone.

Learning Objectives

Be able to state the definitions of current and current density.
Be able to state Ohm's law and distinguish between it and the definition of resistance.
Be able to give the general relationship between potential difference, current, and power.
Know the definitions of parallel and series circuit elements.
Be able to apply Kirchhoff's rules and use them to analyze various simple dc circuits.
Be able to find the time constant for an RC circuit and describe both the charge on the capacitor and the current as a function of time for charging and discharging a capacitor.