KVL Energy Mountain
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) is a statement about energy conservation. The battery "lifts" the electrical potential up, and the resistors "x_drop" it back down as heat. By the time the current returns to the start, the drops exactly equal the source voltage.

Adjust the resistors below and watch how the voltage drops (the stairs) change size. Notice that the mountain always ends exactly at 0 V.
Source (+12.0V) - Drop 1 (-2.0V) - Drop 2 (-4.0V) - Drop 3 (-6.0V) = 0.0V
Adjust Resistors
R1 (Orange) 10 Ω
R2 (Blue) 20 Ω
R3 (Yellow) 30 Ω
Circuit Current: 0.20 A
12V 9V 6V 3V 0V Battery -2.0V -4.0V -6.0V
Knowledge Check