What does Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law state about closed networks?

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) states that the sum of the electrical potential differences (voltage) in a closed loop or circuit is equal to zero. This principle is rooted in the law of conservation of energy, which implies that the energy supplied by sources (such as batteries) in the circuit is used up by the components (such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors) present in that loop.

When you traverse a closed circuit, any increase in potential (from sources) will be countered by a decrease in potential (across components like resistors). Mathematically, this can be expressed as the sum of all voltages being zero, meaning that what goes up (in terms of energy) must come back down to maintain balance in the system.

In contrast, other options relate to different principles in electrical circuits. The current at junctions is described by Kirchhoff’s Current Law, not KVL. The maximum voltage across components is governed by factors like component ratings and safety parameters, rather than KVL itself. Lastly, while every circuit needs a source of voltage to function, this is a separate requirement and not dictated by Kirchhoff's principles. Therefore, the statement regarding the sum of electrical potential differences equ