Potential Difference

In an electrical circuit a cell sets up a potential difference V between two point. The
Potential Difference between two point in a circuit causes an electric charge to move
between the two point.
An electron will move from a point of low potential to a point of high potential. Hence a
current flow from the higher potential to the lower potential. The greater the potential
difference, the greater the current flow.
The Potential Difference V, between two points in a circuit is defined as the work done
W, when 1 C of charge moves between the two point.
Potential difference, V = Work Done, W
Charge, Q
The SI unit of potential difference is VOLT ( V ).
1V is the potential difference between two point if 1 J of energy is produced when 1 C of
charge flows between the two point.

OHMS LAW
Ohms Law state that the current flowing
through a metal conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference
across the ends of the conductor if the
temperature and other physical
conditions are constant.
V I
V =
I

constant

The constant is known as resistance R,

of the conductor
For a conductor that obeys Ohms Law a
graph of V against I or I against V will
be a straight line passing through the
origin.

TOPIC : OHMS LAW

AIM
An experiment to investigate the relationship between current and potential
difference.
INFERENCE
The current flowing through a conductor depend on the potential difference
across it.
HYPOTHESIS
When the Potential difference across the conductor increase, the current
flowing through the conductor increase.
VARIABLE
Manipulated : Current
Responding : Potential difference
Fixed : Length and temperature of wire
APPARATUS /
Dry cell 3 x 1.5 V ), Voltmeter, ammeter, switch, rheostat,
MATERIAL
10 cm constantan wire s.w.g 34, connecting wire and battery holder,
DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE

1. The circuit is connected as shown figure above.

2. The switch is closed and the rheostat is adjusted until the current
reading on the ammeter is 0.1 A.
3. The reading of the voltmeter is recorded.
4. Step 2 and 3 are repeated for values of I = 0.2A, 0.3A, 0.4A, 0.5A
and 0.6A
5. Tabulated the data.
6. Graph of V against I is plotted.
Current, I ( A )
Potential Difference V, ( V )
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

RESULT

SAFETY
PERCAUTION

All electrical connections must be tight.

Physical conditions and temperature must be kept constant ( use low values of
current, open the switch when not taking any reading to avoid heating of
wires, use the same wire to maintain the same physical conditions.).

RESISTANCE , R
Resistance is a term that describes the opposition experienced by the electrons ( current )
as they flow in a conductor.

The resistance R, of an ohmic conductor is define as the ratio of the potential difference
V, across the conductor to the current I, flowing through it.

V
I
The SI unit for resistance is OHM (
1 ohm is the resistance of the conductor when a potential difference of 1 V applied across
it produces a current of 1A through it.
All material naturally contain some resistance to the flow of current. Material with low
resistance let electricity flow easily. Material with higher resistance require more voltage
to make similar current flow.
Resistance can be both good and bad. If we are trying to transmit electricity from one
place to another through conductor resistance is undesirable in the conductor. Resistance
causes some of the electrical energy to turn into heat, so some electrical energy is lost
along the way .
However it is resistance that allow us to use electricity for heat and light. The heat is
generated from elevtric herters or the light that we get from light bulbs is due to the
resistance of the wire. In the light bulb the current flowing through a resistance filament
causes it to become hot and then glow.

There are four factors that affect the

resistance of a conductor. The factors are
The type of the material of the conductor
The length of the conductor
The cross-sectional area of the conductor
The temperature of the conductor

TOPIC
AIM
INFERENCE
HYPOTHESIS
VARIABLE
APPARATUS &
MATERIAL
DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE

Factor that effect the resistance of a conductor

To investigate the relationship between the length of the conductor
and the resistance.
The resistance of the conductor depends on its length
When the length of the conductor increase the resistance increase.
Manipulated : The Length of the conductor
Responding : The rsistance of the wire
Fixed : Diameter, temperature and type of conductor
Dry cell (3 x 1.5 V ), Voltmeter, ammeter, switch, rheostat,
80 cm constantan wire s.w.g 34, connecting wire and battery holder,

1. The circuit is connected as shown figure above.

2. 10 cm constantan wire is connected between X and Y.
3. The switch is closed and the rheostat is adjusted until the current
reading on the ammeter is 0.2 A.
4. The reading of the voltmeter is recorded.
5. Step 2 and 3 are repeated for values of l = 20cm, 30cm, 40 cm, 50
cm, and 60cm.
6. Tabulated the data.
7.
8. Graph of R against l is plotted.

RESULT
l (cm)
10
20
30
40
50
60

CONCLUTION
SAFETY
PRECAUTION

I (A)
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2

V (V)

R = V/I ()