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Looking at the loop figure, which statement about sign convention is most accurate when applying Kirchhoff's Voltage Law? 
AVoltage signs can be ignored as long as all magnitudes are added
BThe result depends on using a consistent traversal direction and the marked polarity of each element
CThe largest voltage in the loop is always written as negative
DSource voltages are always negative and resistor voltages are always positive
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The result depends on using a consistent traversal direction and the marked polarity of each element
Applying KVL correctly depends on consistency: choose a loop direction and then assign each voltage as a rise or drop according to the marked polarity you cross. Ignoring polarity is the main reason students get incorrect loop equations.