GUSTAV KIRCHHOFF (1824- 87)

1845 – Germany

First law (Junction law): At any junction point in an electrical circuit, the sum of all currents entering the junction must equal the sum of all currents leaving the junction

Second law (Loop law): For any closed loop in an electrical circuit, the sum of the voltages must add up to zero

In equation form the first law is I = I₁ + I₂ + I₃ + I₄ +… where I is the total current and I₁, I₂, I₃ etc. are the separate currents.

Second law is V = V₁ + V₂ + V₃ + … where V is the total voltage and V₁, V₂, V₃ etc. are the separate voltages.

GUSTAV KIRCHOFF

These laws are an extension of OHM‘s law and are used for calculating current and voltage in a network of circuits. Kirchoff formulated these laws when he was a student at the University of Konisburg.

Kirchoff also showed that objects that are good emitters of heat are also good absorbers. This is Kirchoff’s law of radiation.

TIMELINE

 

ELECTRICITY