Find the emf e1 in the circuit of the figure (figure 1).

By John

Solution

From the given currents in the diagram, the current through the middle branch of the circuit must be 1.00 A (the difference between 2.00 A and 1 .00 A). Using Kirchhoff’s rules and passing counterclockwise around the top loop, we have
20−1×1+4×1+1×1−ε
1

−6×1=0orε
1

=18V
Now traveling around the external loop of the circuit, we have
20−1×1−1×2−ε
2

−2×2−6×1=0orε
2

=7V
and V
a

+4×1+1×1−ε
1

=V
b

orV
b

−V
a

=5−18=−13V