Kirchhoff's junction rule
Definition
Kirchhoff's junction rule, also known as Kirchhoff's first law or the conservation of electric charge, states that the total current flowing into a junction in an electrical circuit is equal to the total current flowing out of the junction. In other words, electric charge is conserved at a junction point in a circuit.
Analogy
Imagine a busy intersection where multiple roads meet. The number of cars entering the intersection must be equal to the number of cars leaving it. Similarly, in an electrical circuit, the amount of current entering a junction must be equal to the amount of current leaving it.
Related terms
Conservation of energy: This principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only change forms.
Ohm's law: It relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit through the equation V = IR.
Series circuit: A type of electrical circuit where all components are connected one after another along a single path for current flow.
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