In a circuit diagram, the total current flowing in the wire between points C and D is

• A. 3.0 amperes.
• B. 2.4 amperes.
• C. 6.0 amperes.
• D. 1.8 amperes.

Answer: (A)

The current in a specific wire is found by following how currents flow at the surrounding junctions and applying Kirchhoff’s current law. At each node, the sum of currents into the node equals the sum of currents leaving it. The current that flows through the wire from point C to point D is the same current that moves along that path, which must balance the currents connected to those nodes.

In the given diagram, the currents in the branches connected to the path between C and D combine (with their directions taken into account) to yield a net 3.0 A flowing from C toward D. So, the total current in that wire is 3.0 A.

If currents were arranged differently, you’d sum them algebraically according to their directions to determine the current through that segment.