Electronic – Current flow in a series circuit with two voltage sources

circuit analysiscurrentkirchhoffs-lawsseriesvoltage

I specifically want to know how does the current flow in the schematic attached. There are two voltage sources (one dependent, the other independent) in the figure. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears to me that the current generated by 35 V and 2vx will collide each other though the magnitude of their currents are equal since all the elements are in a series connection.

This circuit I'm working on is one of the practice problems of Kirchhoff's Laws in Fundamentals of Electric Circuits by Alexander and Sadiku. The ones asked in this problem is vo and vx. I tried solving the problem but it does not match the given answer in the book (the solution is not shown though).

I would like to know how the current flows across 5 Ω resistor.

@Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams: That was precisely why I asked the question. Though many here are saying this is a simple circuit, I had been confused with this problem because I was imagining how the current will flow due to the two voltage sources.

@The Photon: No, this is not a homework question. I was reviewing for a quiz the other day by picking questions on our textbook.

Best Answer

it appears to me that the current generated by 35 V and 2vx will collide each other

It may be that you are assuming that a voltage source, whether independent or controlled, must source current, i.e., supply power to the circuit.

But, at least in ideal circuit theory, there's nothing "wrong" with a voltage source sinking current, i.e., receiving power from the circuit.

For a real world example, consider that, when a battery is being charged, the current is in the opposite direction than when the battery is being discharged.

I would like to know how the current flows across 5 Ω resistor.

If you're planning to be an EE, don't write or say things like "current across"; current is through, voltage is across.

Now, this circuit is very easy to solve. There are two unknowns so you need two independent equations.

For the 1st, write a KVL equation clockwise 'round the loop:

$$35V = v_x + 2v_x - v_o \rightarrow 3v_x = 35V + v_o$$

Now, you need one more independent equation. Can you find one?