DC Circuits

This course is a part of AP®︎ Physics 1, a 12-course Topic series from Khan Academy.

Circuits make computers, digital cameras, and video games possible. Circuits are driving an unprecedented rate of change in how we live. In this unit, you'll learn about the physics behind the electronic devices we use.

This course contains 7 segments:

Electric current, resistivity, and Ohm's law

In this lesson, you'll learn how Ohm's law relates the voltage across a resistor, the current through a resistor, and the resistance of the resistor. We'll also start talking about circuits and the resistivity of materials.

Electric power and DC circuits

In this lesson, we'll learn about power used by a resistor and how to interpret circuit diagrams.

Kirchhoff's junction rule

Learn how to analyze the current flow in a DC circuit using Kirchhoff junction rule (or current law).

Kirchhoff's loop rule

Learn how to analyze the voltage in a DC circuit using Kirchhoff loop rule (or voltage law).

Series and parallel resistors

Learn how to simplify a circuit diagram with resistors in series or in parallel.

DC Ammeters and voltmeters

Learn how to use voltmeters and ammeters to measure the potential difference and current in a DC circuit.

DC Circuit analysis

Learn how to analyze a more complicated DC circuit using the strategies we've learned so far, including Kirchhoff's laws and Ohm's law.