ID: Name:

Set
Brac University
Semester: Spring 2023
Course Code: CSE250
Circuits And Electronics
A Assessment: Midterm
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Date: March 5, 2023
Full Marks (incl. bonus 6): 56

✓ No washroom breaks. Phones must be turned off. Using/carrying any notes during the exam is not allowed.
✓ At the end of the exam, both the answer script and the question paper must be returned to invigilator.
✓ All 3 questions are compulsory. Marks allotted for each question are mentioned beside each question.
✓ Write your answers inside the indicated boxes where applicable.
✓ Symbols have their usual meanings.

■ Question 1 of 3 [CO1, CO3] [20 marks]

(a) In order to test the I − V characteristics of a two-terminal linear circuit (inside the gray box), the following
circuit was constructed.
I

+
1A 10 Ω − V

(i) [1 mark] Determine the relationship between I and V , where V is the applied voltage difference across
the test circuit that is varied and I is the current through it. In the following box write I in terms of V .
1
I= 10 V +1

(ii) [2 marks] Based on your answer in (i), plot the I − V characteristics of the test circuit in the following
grid.
I (Ampere)
2

1.5

0.5

V (Volt)
−30 −25 −20 −15 −10 −5 5 10 15 20 25 30

−0.5

−1

−1.5

−2

(b) [2 marks] Which one is the correct Source Transformation of the following circuitry?
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 2 of 16

2A

... ...

5Ω

... ...

Cross-out or fill-in the checkbox (□) at the top-left corner of the correct answer.

□ □
... ... ... ...

−
+
5Ω 10 V

5Ω
+
− 10 V
... ... ... ...

■ □
5Ω 5Ω
... ... ... ...
−
+

10 V
+
− 10 V

... ... ... ...

(c) [15 marks] Determine the current I as shown in the circuit below using Superposition Principle and/or
Source Transformation.
2A

10 Ω 5Ω 15 Ω 5Ω

I
+
60 V − 10 Ω 10 Ω 5Ω

Solution:
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 3 of 16

Source Transformation Method:

2A

10 Ω 5Ω 15 Ω 5Ω

I
+
60 V − 10 Ω 10 Ω 5Ω

• Transforming the 60 V voltage source in series with the 10 Ω resistor into a current source in parallel with
a resistor.
• Transforming the 2 A current source in parallel with the 15 Ω resistor into a voltage source in series with
a resistor.
• The two 5 Ω resistors in the rightmost part of the circuit are in series (5 + 5 = 10 Ω) and the series
combination is parallel with the 10 Ω resistor.

⇒ 10 || (5 + 5) = 5 Ω
30 V
5Ω 15 Ω
−
+

6A 10 Ω 10 Ω 5Ω

• The two 10 Ω resistors are parallel.

⇒ 10 || 10 = 5 Ω and

• The 5 Ω, 15 Ω, and 5 Ω resistors are parallel.

⇒ 5 + 15 + 5 = 25 Ω
30 V
25 Ω
−
+

6A 5Ω

• Transforming the 6 A current source in parallel with the 5 Ω resistor into a voltage source in series with a
resistor.
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 4 of 16

30 V
5Ω 25 Ω

−
+
I
+
30 V −

• Replacing the two voltage sources by one: the value of the resultant source is,

⇒ 30 + 30 = 60 V

So, the current I can be calculated as,

60
I= 5+25 (A)

⇒ I=2A

Superpostion Principle:

• There are two independent sources in the given circuit: the 60 V voltage source and the 2 A current source.
2A

10 Ω 5Ω 15 Ω 5Ω

I
+
60 V − 10 Ω 10 Ω 5Ω

′
• Let’s first calculate the contribution from the 60 V source only (I ). Turning off the 2 A source (open
circuit), the circuit looks like the one shown below.

10 Ω 5Ω 15 Ω 5Ω

′
I
+
60 V − 10 Ω 10 Ω 5Ω

• The circuit can be solved in several ways. Let’s do some series-parallel combination of resistors to reduce
the circuit.
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 5 of 16

• 5 Ω and 5 Ω are in series.

⇒ 5 Ω + 5 Ω = 10 Ω

• Then their combination (10 Ω) is in parallel with the other 10 Ω.

⇒ 10 Ω || 10 Ω = 5 Ω

• Then 5 Ω, 15 Ω, and 15 Ω are in series.

⇒ 5 Ω + 15 Ω + 5 Ω = 25 Ω

10 Ω

′
I
+
60 V − 10 Ω 25 Ω

• The voltage across the parallel combination of the 10 Ω and 25 Ω can be found using the voltage divider
rule as,

(10 || 25)
10+(10 || 25) × 60 V = 25 V

′
25
So, I = 25 =1A

• Now, for the 2 A current source, turning off the 60 V source (short circuit), the circuit looks like the one
shown below.

2A

10 Ω 5Ω 15 Ω 5Ω

′′
I
10 Ω 10 Ω 5Ω

• The circuit can be solved in several ways. Let’s do some series-parallel combination of resistors to reduce
the circuit.

• 5 Ω and 5 Ω are in series.

⇒ 5 Ω + 5 Ω = 10 Ω
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 6 of 16

• Then their combination (10 Ω) is in parallel with the other 10 Ω.

⇒ 10 Ω || 10 Ω = 5 Ω

• In the left side, 10 Ω and 10 Ω are in parallel.

⇒ 10 Ω || 10 Ω = 5 Ω

2A

5Ω 15 Ω

′′
I
5Ω 5Ω

′′
• We may reduce further. The three 5 Ω resistors are in series where the current I flows.

⇒ 5 Ω + 5 Ω + 5 Ω = 15 Ω

Now the circuit becomes,

′′
I
15 Ω 15 Ω 2A

′′
• The current I will be halved through each of the 15 Ω resistors,

′′
So, I = 1 A

According to the Superposition Principle, the total current will be the algebraic summation of the two
contributions of the two independent sources. That is,

′ ′′
I = I + I = 1 + 1 (A)

⇒ I=2A
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 7 of 16

■ Question 2 of 3 [CO2, CO4] [20 marks]

12 V

−
+
20 Ω 20 Ω
4V
10 Ω

−
+
Ix
5Ω

15 Ω 2Ix
+
Vy 5A
−

Apply Nodal/Mesh analysis to answer the following questions:

(a) [1 mark] Which analysis method should be more advantageous in solving the above circuit?

Solution: Mesh analysis

(b) [15 marks] Find all the node voltages/mesh currents in the circuit.

Solution: Mesh currents: ± 1.8 A, ∓ 3.2 A, ± 0.2 A.

Node voltages: 27 V, 43 V, 47 V .

(c) [2 marks] Find Vy , the voltage across the 5 A current source.

Solution: 68 V

(d) [2 marks] How much power is the 5 A current source consuming/supplying to the circuit?
Also mention whether the source is supplying or consuming power.

Solution: −340 W, supplying

Solution:

(b) There are 3 meshes in the given circuit. Let’s assign I1 , I2 , and I3 , in ampere units, as the mesh
currents, all taken in clockwise direction.
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 8 of 16

12 V

−
+
20 Ω 20 Ω
I3
4V
10 Ω

−
+
Ix
5Ω

15 Ω 2Ix
I1 + I2
Vy 5A
−

The 5 A current source forms a Supermesh between loops 1 and 2 as shown below.

12 V
−
+

20 Ω 20 Ω
I3
4V
10 Ω
−
+

Ix
5Ω

15 Ω 2Ix
I1 + I2
Vy 5A
−

• From loop 2, we can directly write,

I2 = −2IX

where, Ix = I1 − I3

⇒ I2 = −2(I1 − I3 )

⇒ 2I1 + I2 − 2I3 = 0 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 1)

From the Supermesh, we can write using KCL,

I2 − I1 = 5

⇒ I1 − I2 = −5 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 2)

• Applying KVL at loop 3,

CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 9 of 16

−12 + 20I3 + 4 + 10(I3 − I1 ) + 20I3 = 0

⇒ 10I1 − 50I3 = −8 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 3)

Solving equations 1, 2, and 3, we get,

I1 = −1.8 A

I2 = 3.2 A

I3 = −0.2 A

(c) To find Vy , the voltage across the 5 A source, using KVL at loop 1,

15I1 + 10(I1 − I3 ) + 5(I1 − I2 ) + Vy = 0

Substituting for I1 , I2 , and I3 ,

Vy = 68 V

(d) The power of the 5 A current source according to passive sign convention is,

P5 A = −Vy × 5 (W att)

⇒ P5 A = −68 × 5 = −340 (W )

Nodal Analysis Method: general approach

(b) There are 7 nodes in the given circuit as marked in the following diagram.
12 V
−
+

20 Ω 20 Ω
4V
10 Ω
−
+

Ix
5Ω

15 Ω 2Ix
+
Vy 5A
−

• But in the general approach of nodal analysis, we don’t have to consider all the nodes. We have to
consider only 3 nodes (red, blue, and green).
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 10 of 16

12 V

−
+
20 Ω 20 Ω

V2 4V
10 Ω
V1 V3

−
+
Ix
5Ω

15 Ω 2Ix
+
Vy 5A
−

• The 4 V source forms a Supermesh between nodes 2 (V2 ) and 3 (V3 ).

12 V
−
+

20 Ω 20 Ω

V2 4V
10 Ω
V1 V3
−
+

Ix
5Ω

15 Ω 2Ix
+
Vy 5A
−

• From the Supernode we can write,

V3 − V2 = 4 V

⇒ V2 − V3 = −4 V − − − − − − − −(eqn. 1)

• Applying KCL at nodes 2 (V2 ) and (V3 ),

V2 −V1 V3 −V1 −12

5 + 2Ix = 10 + 20+20

The current Ix through the 10 Ω resistor can be written as,

V1 −V2
Ix = 10

Substituting for Ix ,
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 11 of 16

V1 −V2 V2 −V1 V3 −V1 −12

5+2 10 = 10 + 20+20

⇒ 13V1 − 12V2 − V3 = −212 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 2)

• Finally, applying KCL at node 1 (V1 ),

V1 −0 V1 −V2 V1 −V3 +12

15 + 10 + 20+20 =0

⇒ 23V1 − 12V2 − 3V3 = −36 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 3)

Solving the 3 equations we get the node voltages.

V1 = 27 V

V2 = 43 V

V3 = 47 V

(c) The voltage Vy can be found by applying KVL through the loop consisting of the 5 A source. That
is, one way is,

V2 − Vy + (5 × 5) = 0

Substituting for V2 = 43 V ,

⇒ Vy = 68 V

(d) The power of the 5 A current source according to passive sign convention is,

P5 A = −Vy × 5 (W att)

⇒ P5 A = −68 × 5 = −340 (W )
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 12 of 16

■ Question 3 of 3 [CO2, CO4] [16 marks]

4 kΩ

1 mA 3V

+
−
8 mA
Ix

3.5 kΩ
6 kΩ

12 kΩ 500 Ω

−
+

14 V

Apply Nodal/Mesh analysis to answer the following questions:

(a) [1 mark] Which analysis method should be more advantageous in solving the above circuit?

Solution: Nodal analysis

(b) [14 marks] Find all the node voltages/mesh currents in the circuit.

2
Solution: Node voltages: −2 V, 11 V.
Mesh currents: ± 2 mA, ∓ 3 mA, ± 9.5 mA, ±1.5 mA, ±0.5 mA

(c) [1 mark] Find Ix , the amount of current through the 6 kΩ resistor.

Solution: −2 mA
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 13 of 16

Solution: Nodal Analysis Method (General approach)

(b) There are 4 nodes in the given circuit apart from the ground as shown in the figure below.

4 kΩ

1 mA 3V

+
−
8 mA
Ix

3.5 kΩ
6 kΩ

12 kΩ 500 Ω
−
+

14 V

• The red marked node voltage is −14 V , as can be seen from the figure.

• In the general approach of nodal analysis, we don’t have to consider the node colored as cyan.

• Let’s assign V1 , V2 as the remaining node variables (see the figure below).

4 kΩ

1 mA 3V
V1
+
−

8 mA
Ix

3.5 kΩ
6 kΩ V2

12 kΩ 500 Ω
−
+

0V
−14 V 14 V
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 14 of 16

• Applying KCL at node 1 (V1 ),

V1 −0 V1 −(−14) V1 −(−14) V1 −V2

1= 4 + 6 + 12 + 3.5

⇒ 24V1 − 21V2 = −1 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 1)

• Applying KCL at node 2 (V2 ),

V2 −V1 V2 −0
8= 3.5 + 0.5

⇒ 7V1 − 11V2 = −16 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 2)

Solving equations 1 and 2 we get,

V1 = −2 V

2
V2 = 11 V

(c) The current Ix through the 6 kΩ resistor is thus,

−14−V1
Ix = 6 (mA)

⇒ Ix = −2 mA

Mesh Analysis Method:

(b) There are 5 meshes in the given circuit. Let’s assign I1 , I2 , I3 , I4 , and I5 , in milliampere units, as the
mesh currents.

4 kΩ

1 mA
I5 3V
+
−

I4 8 mA
Ix
I1 3.5 kΩ
6 kΩ
I3

12 kΩ I2 500 Ω
−
+

14 V
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 15 of 16

• The 1 mA current source and the 8 mA current source form two Supermeshes between meshes 4 & 5 and
3 & 4 respectively.

4 kΩ

1 mA
I5 3V

+
−
I4 8 mA
Ix
I1 3.5 kΩ
6 kΩ
I3

12 kΩ I2 500 Ω
−
+

14 V

From the two Supermeshes, we can write for the current sources,

I5 − I4 = 1 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 1) and

I4 − I3 = 8 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 2)

• Now, applying KVL at loop 1,

6I1 + 12(I1 − I2 ) = 0

⇒ 3I1 − 2I2 = 0 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 3)

• Applying KVL at loop 2,

14 + 12(I2 − I1 ) + 3.5(I2 − I4 ) + 0.5(I2 − I3 ) = 0

⇒ 12I1 − 16I2 + 0.5I3 + 3.5I4 = 14 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 4)

• Now, applying KVL along loops 5, 4, and 3,

4I5 + 0.5(I3 − I2 ) + 3.5(I4 − I2 ) = 0

⇒ 4I2 − 0.5I3 − 3.5I4 − 4I5 = 0 − − − − − − − −(eqn. 5)

Solving equations 1 to 5,

I1 = −2 mA
CSE250 Spring 2023 Midterm ▶ Set A Page 16 of 16

I2 = −3 mA

I3 = −9.5 mA

I4 = −1.5 mA

I5 = −0.5 mA

(c) It can be seen that, the current through the 6 kΩ resistor is I1 .

So, Ix = I1 = −2 mA