Kirchhoff's law

noun

Kirch·​hoff's law

ˈkirḵˌhōfs-

1

: a statement in physics: in an electric network the algebraic sum of the currents in all the branches that meet at any point is zero

2

: a statement in physics: if any closed circuit is chosen from the branches of an electric network, the algebraic sum of the products formed by multiplying the resistance of each branch by the current in that branch is equal to the algebraic sum of the electromotive forces in the several branches forming the circuit

3

: a statement in physics: the ratio of the emissive power to the absorptivity is the same for all bodies at the same temperature and equals the emissive power of a black body at that temperature

Word History

Etymology

after Gustav R. Kirchhoff †1887 German physicist

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!