Learning Objectives:
At the end of this topic you will be able to;
recognise standard symbols for components included within the
module;
apply the current at a junction rule;
apply the voltage divider rule;
explain how voltage at a point can be indicated relative to a 0V
reference;
appreciate that resistance is the opposition to current flow and that
is measured in ohms;
understand the relationship between current, voltage and resistance
in qualitative terms;
V
select and use R I ;
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Circuit symbols
Electronic circuits consist of components (parts) such as lamps, resistors and
transistors connected to an electrical supply, e.g. a battery. The connections
are wire or strips of a good electrical conductor such as copper. The
connections and components must make a complete path, i.e. a circuit.
Circuits are represented by diagrams in which each part is shown by a symbol.
Some examples that you should recognise are shown below are given below.
Using the circuit symbols above, draw a circuit diagram for a circuit
containing a battery, a resistor, two lamps, a switch and an ammeter.
Electric Current
What is it
An atom consists of a tiny core or nucleus with a positive (+) electric charge,
surrounded by electrons which have an equal negative (-) charge. (see below)
Electrons (-)
Nucleus (+)
In a conductor, some electrons are loosely attached to their atoms. When the
conductor is part of a circuit connected to a battery, the battery forces
these electrons to move through the conductor from its negative (-) terminal
towards its positive (+) terminal. An electric current is said to be flowing
through the conductor when these electrons flow in one direction at a given
time.
The ampere and ammeters
Current is measured in units called amperes (shortened to amps or A). The
current flowing in a circuit can be measured with an ammeter. The current
through a large torch bulb is about 0.5A and through a car headlamp 3A to
4A.
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Individual ammeters are hardly ever used for circuit measurements as it is
too expensive to have a large range of ammeters capable of reading different
currents. Today we use an instrument called a multimeter which is capable of
measuring lots of different currents and many other things besides all in one
package. The multimeter will become a very important instrument for you.
There are two main types of multimeter available. The first type is called an
analogue meter and is shown below.
One terminal is marked + (or coloured red) and this is the one the
conventional current must enter, that is, it must lead to the + terminal of
the battery. Otherwise the pointer on the ammeter is deflected in the wrong
direction and the ammeter may be permanently damaged.
The analogue meter has a moving needle which moves across multiple scales
and it is up to the user to interpret the correct reading. To the
inexperienced user this instrument is very hard to use and errors are
frequently made. Good quality analogue meters are very expensive (over
100.00) although cheaper versions are available they are not always very
accurate.
4
The digital meter is much easier to use than an analogue meter because it
gives a direct reading on its display of the quantity that it is measuring. The
digital meter also has a red terminal which should be connected to the
positive part of the circuit, however, unlike the analogue meter if a mistake is
made all that will happen is that the display will shown a - sign in the display
to indicate that current is flowing the wrong way. To rectify the problem
simple reverse the connections in the circuit. No damage will be done to the
multimeter.
Throughout this course you should use a digital meter if at all possible during
some of your practical work. During computer modelling sessions you will use a
computerised version of the digital multimeter.
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
In either case the symbol used for an ammeter is shown below.
Note :
The symbol shown is for
an ammeter because of the letter A in the circle. There is no
separate symbol for a multimeter, because as its name suggests
the multimeter can be set up as a number of different meters,
one of which is an ammeter.
Two smaller units of current used in electronics are the milliampere
(mA) and the microampere (A); (pronounced mu A).
1 A or 1000mA 1A
1000
1
1 A 1 mA
A or
1000
1000000
1000 A 1mA or 1000000 A 1A
1mA
To be able to convert between these units accurately and reliably is very important for calculations needed
later. The following diagram will hopefully help.
x1000
x1000
mA
/1000
uA
/1000
Examples :
1.
There are other multipliers that we will come across in this course, which are
for very small quantities, these are p for pico, and n for nano. We will look
at these when we consider capacitors in Unit E2.
Measuring Current
To measure a current, the circuit has to be broken and the ammeter
connected in the gap.
To complete this part of the exercise you will need access to a computer
running circuit simulation software e.g. Crocodile Physics or Livewire.
(a)
Series circuit
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Within your simulation software create the following circuit using the
circuit symbols shown.
In your circuit you will not get the labels alongside the circuit symbols these
are included so that you can answer the questions about the circuit.
When you have successfully constructed the circuit on the computer the
three ammeters will display the current flowing at each part of the circuit
and both lamps should be on.
Note : The readings on each ammeter should be positive. If you have a
negative value it means you have connected the ammeter incorrectly - check
the circuit carefully and correct before answering the questions.
Complete the following to show your results.
Ammeter 1 = ....... mA
Ammeter 2 = ....... mA
Ammeter 3 = ....... mA
Looking at your results what conclusion can you make about the current
flowing in a series circuit ?
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
Save your circuit as Basic-Theory-Circuit1.
(b)
8
Parallel circuit
Note: In your circuit you will not get the labels alongside the circuit symbols
these are included so that you can answer the questions about the
circuit. Please remember to change the battery voltage to 6V
When you have successfully constructed the circuit, the four ammeters will
display the current flowing at each part of the circuit and both lamps should
be on. Note : The readings on each ammeter should be positive. If you have a
negative value it means you have connected the ammeter incorrectly - check
the circuit carefully and correct before answering the questions.
Complete the following to show your results.
Ammeter 1 = ........ mA
Ammeter 2 = ........ mA
Ammeter 3 = ........ mA
Ammeter 4 = ........ mA
Looking at your results what conclusion can you make about the current
flowing in a parallel circuit?
........................................................................................................................................
(c)
.......................................................................................................................................
Save your circuit as Basic-Theory-Circuit2.
Circuit drawn with voltage rails
9
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
If a supply has a voltage of, say, 9V, you will often find on circuit diagrams
that the negative of the supply is marked as 0V and the positive as 9V, as
shown below.
Consider the following circuit which contains 2 different signal lamps and a
filament lamp connected to a 9V power supply. You will notice that a filament
lamp has a different symbol to the signal lamp.
Complete the following table for this circuit using the values of I1 and I2 given.
Remember that the sum of currents entering a junction is always equal to the
sum of currents leaving a junction.
10
I1 I 2 I 3
I2 I 3 I 4
I 4 I5
Current
Value
I1
100mA
I2
30mA
I3
I4
I5
Ask your teacher to check your answers
Conductors, insulators and semiconductors
The best conductors are the metals silver, copper and gold because they
contain electrons that are free to move.
In insulators such as polythene and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) all electrons are
firmly bound to their atoms and electron flow, i.e. current production, is
difficult.
11
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Summary
1. Electronic circuits consist of components e.g. lamps, batteries connected
by wires.
2. Electric current is the flow of electrons through a material.
3. Current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the
battery.
4. Current is measured in A, mA or A.
5. 1A = 1000 mA = 1,000,000 A
6. Current is not used up in an electrical circuit. Whatever current leaves
the battery must return to the battery.
7. In a series circuit the current is the same at all points in the circuit.
8. In a parallel circuit the current splits at the junction of three or more
wires. The sum of currents entering a junction is always equal to the sum
of currents leaving a junction.
12
In the circuit below, if Ammeter 1 reads 0.2A what are the readings on
Ammeter 2 and Ammeter 3.
Circle the correct answers;
Ammeter 2
0A 0.1A 0.2A
0.3A
0.4A
Ammeter 3
0A 0.1A 0.2A
0.3A
0.4A
[2]
2.
b.
c.
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
[3]
14
4a.
Ammeter 1
0.1A
0.2A
0.3A
0.4A
0.5 A
Ammeter 3
0.1A
0.2A
0.3A
0.4A
0.5 A
[2]
1A
(ii)
0.5 A =
(iii) 0.02 A =
(iv) 0.0045 A =
4b.
1500 mA =
(ii)
300 mA =
[4]
15
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
(iii)
4c.
60 mA =
[3]
[4]
2 mA =
(ii)
0.4 A =
(iii)
0.005 mA =
[3]
5.
Value
I1
250mA
I2
100mA
I3
I4
I5
[3]
16
Voltage
What is it?
Voltage (symbol V) causes current to flow in a circuit by applying an electrical
pressure across it. It is produced by a cell, a battery or a power supply.
Voltage is measured in volts (shortened to V). Just as we had smaller units
for current in the last section we can also have smaller units of voltage. The
millivolt (mV) and microvolt (V) are defined as
1
V
1000
1
1
1V
mV
V
1000
1000000
1mV
Note :
17
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Voltmeters
A voltmeter is used to measure voltage in a circuit. Separate voltmeters like
those shown below are rarely used today because of the need to have a range
of meters capable of measuring different voltages.
Instead the digital multimeter is the normal instrument used for a voltmeter,
in exactly the same way as it is used for an ammeter, the only difference may
be is which sockets you use on the multimeter and how it is connected into
the circuit. Just like an ammeter, its + terminal (often coloured red) must
lead to the + terminal of the voltage supply being measured. Otherwise the
voltmeter will show a negative voltage. Note : Even though a negative voltage
is displayed no damage is being done to the meter. The circuit symbol for a
voltmeter is as follows:
18
Series circuit
Note:
In your circuit you will not get the labels alongside the circuit
symbols these are included so that you can answer the questions
about the circuit. Remember to set the voltage of the battery
to 9V.
Voltmeter 2 = ......... V,
Voltmeter 3 = .........
19
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
(b)
Parallel circuit
Set up the following circuit in your simulator.
Voltmeter 2 = ......... V
Series/Parallel circuit
In the circuit opposite the 2
signal lamps are in parallel with
each other, so the voltage is
the same across each of them.
The filament lamp is in series
with this parallel combination
so the voltage across this plus
the voltage across the signal
lamps equals 9V.
So V1 = 3V, and V2 = 9V - 3V = 6V
20
Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In a series circuit the sum of voltages around the circuit is equal to the
voltage of the battery.
6.
7.
21
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Homework Questions 2:
1.
What are the voltages of the batteries made up of 1.5V cells connected
as shown in the following circuits
2.
Battery (a)
1.5V
3V
4.5V
6V
7.5V
Battery (b)
1.5V
3V
4.5V
6V
7.5V
[2]
[1]
(b) The table below gives the voltmeter readings that were obtained with
the circuit when 2 different batteries were used.
Complete the table by calculating the 2 missing voltages.
Reading in Volts
V
V1
V2
12
12
6
4
[2]
22
4.
[2]
VS =
V1 =
[2]
5a.
5b.
(ii) 0.7 V =
(iii) 0.02 V =
[3]
(ii) 400 mV =
(iii) 50 mV=
[3]
23
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Resistance
What is it?
Electrons move more easily through some conductors than others. Opposition
to current is called resistance. The current caused by a certain voltage is
greater in a good conductor than in a poor one. We use this fact to measure
resistance.
If the current through a conductor is I when the voltage across it is V,
its resistance R is given by the equation
R
V
I
(ii)
V
R
24
V IR
2.
0.5 10
5V
V
R
V 9
3A
R 3
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
1.
Two larger units of resistance are the kilohm (k) and the megohm
(M).
1 k = 1000;
2.
1M = 1,000,000
I = 2 mA and R = 10 k, then
V IR
(2mA) (10k)
2
(
) (10 1000)
1000
2 10
20V
(b)
I = 2 mA and V = 4, then
R
V
I
4V
4
4
2 mA
0.002
1000
2 k
(d)
0.003 A
2k 2 1000 2000
3mA
Resistors
Resistors are conductors that are specially made to have resistance. They
limit the current to a desired value when connected in series in a circuit.
Fixed resistors have resistance values fixed at the time of manufacture.
26
27
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Reading on ammeter connected to 200 resistor= ......... mA
Reading on ammeter connected to 100 resister= ......... mA
Use your results to complete the following:
In a parallel circuit the .............................. current flows through the branch
with the ........................... resistance.
Worked example
1.
(b)
(c)
(d)
What can you say about the sizes of resistors R3 and R4?
R3 and R4 are equal because they are in parallel and equal
currents flow through them
28
(e)
2.
Look at the diagram and write down the values of the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
V1 = 7V [9V 2V]
(d)
V
2V
1k
I 2mA
29
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Summary
1. Resistance is the opposition to electric current.
2. Resistance is measured in ohms, symbol, .
V
3. Resistance can be calculated using the formula R I
30
(a)
Calculate the reading on the ammeter. (You can assume that the
ammeter has no resistance.)
.............................................................................................................................
(b)
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
What is the voltage across the lamp of resistance 6.
Voltage =
2.
(a)
[1]
(b)
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
Calculate the voltage across a 10 resistor carrying a current of
2A.
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
31
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
3.
I
Calculate
(a)
V
R
V if I = 5 mA and R = 2 k
.............................................................................................................................
(b)
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
R if V = 12V and R = 3 mA
.............................................................................................................................
(c)
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
I if V = 10V and R = 5 k
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
32
mA
I2 =
mA
V1 =
V2 =
I3 =
mA
[5]
33
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Voltage dividers
Consider the following system diagram and its corresponding circuit diagram
of a temperature sensing Unit
Temperature Sensing Unit
34
R1
V1
R2
V2
V2
V R2
( R1 R2 )
3
9V
24
?V
35
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Note: the 2 resistor values must be in the same units, that is both values
must either be in , k, or M.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Calculate VOUT and V1 in the following circuit
Using
VOUT
V2
V R2
( R1 R2 )
15 200
3000
6V
(300 200)
500
V1 = 15 6 = 9V
Using
VOUT
V2
V R2
( R1 R2 )
12 1 12
6V
(1 1)
2
V1 = 12 6 =
6V
Example 3: Calculate VOUT and V1 in the following circuit
1.2k = 1200
Using
VOUT
V2
V R2
( R1 R2 )
5 1200
6000
4V
(300 1200) 1500
V1 = 5 4 = 1V
36
12
6V
2
We will see more of these voltage divider circuits when we look at the
construction of sensor circuits.
37
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Exercise: Calculate VOUT and V1 in each of the following circuits. Show all your
workings out.
1.
2.
3.
The cursor was held on the wire just above resistor R3 and the simulator
displayed the voltage at that point which is 3V. This gives the same answer
as adding up the voltage dropped across resistors R5, R4 and R3.
39
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
Electrical Power
Power is a measure of how much energy is used per second in an electrical
appliance. When current flows through a resistance for example some heat is
developed as the current passes through the resistor some heat is produced,
and represents some wasted energy. We usually try to limit the amount of
power lost (dissipated) in circuit components because this is a waste of
energy, however it is necessary in some components like lamps / bulbs
because it is the heat generated in the filament of the lamp which causes the
light to be given off. Calculation of the power dissipated in any component is
relatively straight forward to do, by applying the following formula.
P I V
Power (Watts ) Current ( Amps ) Voltage (Volts )
The current must be the current actually flowing through the component, and
the voltage must be the voltage across the component, which will give the
Power dissipated in the component in Watts.
Examples:
1.
2.
3.
40
4A
12
2.
3.
41
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
rapidly. These were called digital sensors. We need a better definition of
both of these signals so that we are completely clear about what they mean.
An analogue signal.
Voltage
Vmax
An
Vmin
analogue signal, as shown above can take any value between the minimum and
the maximum voltage of the power supply. Changes may occur slowly, or more
rapidly. There are an infinite number of possible outcomes.
A digital signal.
Voltage
Vmax
Vmin
digital signal, as shown above can only take one of two values. Either at the
minimum or the maximum voltage of the power supply. Changes occur
instantly. There are two possible outcomes.
Module E1 - Basic Theory
Solutions to Homework Questions
Homework Questions 1
1.
Ammeter 2 = 0.2A
Ammeter 3 = 0.2A
2.
if one lamp fails, circuit B will be the only circuit in which the total
number of lamps going out will be one, this is because circuit B has
all four lamps in parallel.
b) if one lamp fails, circuit C will be the only circuit in which the total
number of lamps going out will be two, this is because circuit C has
two lamps in each parallel branch. Within each branch there are
two lamps in series and so when one lamp fails the other lamp in
the same branch will also go out.
c) if one lamp fails, circuit A will be the only circuit in which the total
number of lamps going out will be four, this is because circuit A
has all four lamps in series.
[3]
3.
Ammeter 1 = 0.5A
4a.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
[4]
1 A = 1 x 1000 = 1000 mA
0.5 A= 0.5 x 1000 = 500 mA
0.02 A = 0.02 x 1000 = 20 mA
0.0045 A = 0.0045 x 1000 = 4.5 mA
[4]
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
[3]
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
2 mA = 2 x 1000 = 2000 A
0.4 A= 0.4 x 1000 = 400 mA = 400 x 1000 = 400,000 A
0.005 mA = 0.005 x 1000 = 5 A
[3]
4b.
4c.
5.
a)
Ammeter 3 = 0.2A
Current
[2]
Value
I3
150mA
I4
250mA
I5
250mA
43
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
[3]
[2]
Homework Questions 2
1.
2.
a)
All four cells are pointing in the same direction and so will help
each other so the output voltage will be 4 x 1.5 V = 6V
b)
Three cells are pointing in one direction, One cell is pointing the
opposite way effectively cancelling out one of the three cells. The
output voltage will therefore be 2 x 1.5V = 3V.
[2]
(a)
V2 = V - V 1 = 9 - 6 = 3
(b)
[1]
Reading in Volts
V
V1
V2
18
12
12
8
6
4
[2]
3.
3.
The
The circuit is a parallel circuit, in all parallel circuits the voltage drop is
the same across all branches, therefore:
VAB = VCD = 6V
[2]
4.
VS = 12V
5a.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
1V = 1 x 1000 = 1000 mV
0.7 V = 0.7 x 1000 = 700 mV
0.02 V = 0.02 x 1000 = 20 m
(i)
(ii)
5b.
44
V1 = 4.5V
[2]
[3]
50 mV = 50 1000 = 0.05 V
[3]
Homework Questions 3
1.
a.
b.
V 12
2A
R 6
V I R 2 6 12V
[2]
2.
3.
4.
a.
V
6
4
I 1 .5
[2]
b.
V I R 2 10 20V
(a)
V I R 5 mA 2k 10V
(b)
(c)
(a)
I1 = 6 4 = 2mA
I2 = 4 mA
V2 = V1 = 4V
I2 = 6mA
(b)
[2]
[2]
V
12
4 k
I 3mA
[2]
V
10
2mA
R 5 k
V
6
1k
I
6mA
[2]
V1 = 10 6 = 4V
[5]
[2]
45
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
46
Some of the currents flowing in the circuit below have been labelled.
I3 = .......................... mA
b.
I4 = .......................... mA
c.
I5 = .......................... mA
[3]
47
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
3.
The normal current and voltages for four bulbs, A,B, C & D are listed in the
following table.
Bulb
A
B
C
D
(a)
Voltage
(V)
6
2.5
6
2.5
Current
(A)
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
(b)
4.
Put the following in order of size, starting with the smallest unit.
amp (A)
microamp (A)
milliamp (mA)
[2]
48
I1 = .......................... mA
b.
I2 = .......................... mA
c.
V1 = ......................... V
[3]
6.
The current and voltages for four bulbs, A, B, C & D are listed in the following
table.
Bulb
A
B
C
D
(a)
Voltage
(V)
6
6
9
9
Current
(mA)
200
100
200
100
(b)
Calculate the power used by bulb D. Write the correct unit in the space
provided.
.............................................................................................................................
7.
.................................................................................unit ....................................
[3]
Look at the following diagram.
49
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
8.
a.
I1 = .......................... mA
b.
I2 = .......................... mA
c.
V1 = ......................... V
d.
V2 = ......................... V
The current and voltage ratings for four bulbs, A, B, C & D are listed in the
following table.
Bulb
A
B
C
D
(a)
Voltage
(V)
9
12
9
6
Current
(A)
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
(b)
50
watt,
volt,
amp
(a)
.................................
(b)
.................................
(c)
.................................
[3]
10.
The normal current and voltage ratings for four bulbs, A, B, C & D are listed in the
following table.
Bulb
A
B
C
D
Voltage
(V)
12
6
6
12
Current
(A)
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
(a)
(b)
................................
[1]
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
[2]
(c)
51
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
11.
volt (V)
microvolt (V)
Put these in order of size, starting with the smallest, and ending with the biggest.
[2]
12.
Answer ............................................
[1]
I1 = .......................... mA
I2 = .......................... mA
I3 = .......................... mA
V1 = ......................... V
14.
R = 2k
I = 5 mA
R2
I5
I = 2 mA
2
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
[1]
(e)
[2]
53
GCSE Electronics.
Unit E1 : Discovering Electronics
54
Learning Objectives
Targets:
1.
2.
55