The principle of conservation of charge is a fundamental concept in physics that applies to electrical circuits. It states that the total amount of electric charge in a closed system remains constant. This principle is essential in understanding the behavior of current flow and voltage distribution in circuits.
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL):
One application of charge conservation in circuits is demonstrated through Kirchhoff's Current Law. According to KCL, the sum of currents entering a junction in a circuit must be equal to the sum of currents leaving the junction. This can be understood by considering the flow of charge as a continuous stream that splits and merges at junctions, with the total amount of charge remaining constant.