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A student writes Kirchhoff's Current Law for a node as 'the sum of all currents at a junction is zero' without assigning any sign convention. What is the main issue with this statement?
AIt is wrong because KCL applies only to series circuits
BIt is incomplete because currents must be treated with signs based on entering or leaving the junction
CIt is wrong because voltages, not currents, are summed at a node
DIt is incomplete because resistance values are also required
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. It is incomplete because currents must be treated with signs based on entering or leaving the junction
The statement can be correct only when currents are assigned algebraic signs, such as positive for entering and negative for leaving, or vice versa. Without a sign convention, simply adding magnitudes is not sufficient.