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Nodal analysis currents in all resistors

Short answer

Node voltages: V_A = 32 V, V_B = 17.6 V, V_C = 13.93 V. Resistor currents: 16.0 A (2 Ω to ground), 7.20 A (A–B), 1.81 A (10 Ω A–C), 3.52 A (5 Ω), 3.68 A (1 Ω B–C), 3.48 A (4 Ω).

Using Nodal Analysis method to find the current in individual resistors of the circuit shown below. [Figure: 25 A current source on the left; 2 Ω shunt; 2 Ω and 1 Ω in series along the middle of the top with a 10 Ω resistor bypass above; 5 Ω shunt; 4 Ω shunt; 2 A current source on the right pointing down.]

Reading the figure

The source on the left is 25 A, as stated in the question. The bottom rail is the reference (0 V).

  • Node A: 25 A source (into A), 2 Ω to ground, 2 Ω to node B, 10 Ω (top bypass) to node C.
  • Node B: 5 Ω to ground, 1 Ω to node C.
  • Node C: 4 Ω to ground, 2 A source taking current out of C (arrow down).
        +--------[10 Ω]--------------+
        |                            |
 A ---[2 Ω]--- B ---[1 Ω]--- C       |
 |  |           |             |      |
25A [2]        [5]           [4]   (2A)
 |  |           |             |      |
 +--+-----------+-------------+------+

Nodal equations (currents leaving each node)

Node A: V_A/2 + (V_A − V_B)/2 + (V_A − V_C)/10 = 25 Node B: (V_B − V_A)/2 + V_B/5 + (V_B − V_C)/1 = 0 Node C: (V_C − V_A)/10 + (V_C − V_B)/1 + V_C/4 + 2 = 0

Multiplying through (by 10, 10 and 20):

  • 11 V_A − 5 V_B − V_C = 250
  • −5 V_A + 17 V_B − 10 V_C = 0
  • −2 V_A − 20 V_B + 27 V_C = −40

Solving (by Cramer's rule or elimination): V_A = 32.00 V, V_B = 17.60 V, V_C = 13.93 V

Current in each resistor

ResistorVoltageCurrent
2 Ω (A to ground)32.00 V16.00 A
2 Ω (A to B)14.39 V7.20 A (A to B)
10 Ω (A to C)18.07 V1.81 A (A to C)
5 Ω (B to ground)17.60 V3.52 A
1 Ω (B to C)3.68 V3.68 A (B to C)
4 Ω (C to ground)13.93 V3.48 A

KCL check: at A, 16.00 + 7.20 + 1.81 = 25.0 A. At B, 7.20 = 3.52 + 3.68. At C, 1.81 + 3.68 = 3.48 + 2 (= 5.49 A).

Answer: 16.0 A, 7.20 A, 1.81 A, 3.52 A, 3.68 A and 3.48 A as tabulated.

(If the scan's source value is actually 28 A, the same equations give V_A = 36 V, V_B = 20 V, V_C = 16 V and currents 18, 8, 2, 4, 4 and 4 A.)

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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