Unit-I
Basics of Circuits Analysis
PART-A
1.What is meant by linear and nonlinear elements?
Linear element shows the linear characteristics of voltage Vs current. Nonlinear element
the current passing through it does not change linearity with the linear change in applied
voltage at a particular frequency.
2. What is meant by active and passive elements?
If a circuit element has the capability of enhancing the energy level of a signal passing
through it is called an active element. Passive elements do not have any intrinsic means of signal
boosting.
3. What is meant by unilateral and bilateral elements?
If the magnitude of the current passing through an element is affected due to change in
the polarity of the applied voltage is called unilateral elements. If the current magnitude remains
the same even if the applied EMFs polarity is changed is called bilateral elements.
4. What is a dual network?
In an electrical circuit itself there are pairs of terms, which can be interchanged to get
new circuits. Such pair of dual terms is given below  Current- Voltage  Open- Short  L-C 
R-G  Series – Parallel  Voltage source- Current source  KCL-KVL
5. Define Ohms Law.
The potential difference across any two ends of a conductor is directly proportional to the
current flowing between the two ends provided the temperature of the conductor remains
constant.
6. Mention the disadvantages of Ohm’s Law.
 It does not apply to all non metallic conductors  It also does not apply to non linear
devices such as zener diode, vacuum tubes etc.  It is true for metal conductors at constant
temperature. If the temperature changes the law is not applicable.
7. What is a node, a junction and a branch?
A node of a network is an equipotential surface at which two or more circuit elements are
joined. A junction is that point in a network where three or more circuit elements are joined. A
branch is that part of a network which lies between two junction points.
8. What is a super node?
The region surrounding a voltage source which connects the two nodes directly is called
super node.
9. What is principle node?
The meeting point of three or more elements is called principle node.
10. State voltage division rule.
Voltage across a resistor in a series circuit is equal to the total voltage across the series
elements multiplies by the value of that resistor divided by the total resistance of the series
elements.
11. State current division rule.
The current in any branch is equal to the ratio of the opposite parallel branch resistance to
the total resistance value, multiplies by the total current in the circuit.
12. Give the steps to draw a Dual Network
In each loop of a network place a node Draw the lines connecting adjacent nodes passing
through each element and also to the reference node.
13. Compare series and parallel circuit.
Series circuit Parallel circuit
1 The total effective resistance is the sum of the individual resistance ie Reff=R1+R2+……R n
The reciprocal of the total effective resistance is the sum of the reciprocals of individual
resistance 1/Reff= 1/R1+1/R2+….1/R n
2 Only one path for the current flow More than one path for the current to flow
3 The current flowing through all the resistances will be the same and equal to the total current
The current flowing through each resistance is different
4 The voltage is divided across each resistance according to the value of resistance. The voltage
across each resistance is same which will be equal to the input voltage.
14. What are the classifications of Circuit elements?
 Active element
 Passive element
 Lumped and distributed elements
 Bilateral and unilateral elements
 Linear and non linear elements.
15. What is a planar circuit?
A circuit is said to be non planar if it cannot be drawn on a plane surface without
crossovers.