Physics Module Form 5

Chapter 7: Electricity

CHAPTER 7: ELECTRICITY

7.1 CHARGE AND ELECTRIC CURRENT

Van de Graaf
1. What is a Van de Graaff generator? Fill in each of the boxes the name of the part shown.
A device that ……………….. and ………………….. at high voltage on its dome

+ + + + dome
+
+ +
+ +
+

2. How are electrical charges produced by a Van de Graaff generator? And what type
of charges is usually produced on the dome of the generator?
 When the motor of the Van de Graaff generator is switched on, it drives the
………………………..
 This causes the rubber belt to against the …….……… and hence becomes …..
………
 The charge is then carried by the moving belt up to the …………… ……….
where it is collected.
 A large amount of ……………. is built up on the dome
 ……………………. charges are usually produced on the dome of the generator.
+ + +
+ +
3. What will happen if the charged dome + +
of the Van de Graaff is connected to the
earth via a micrometer? Explain.

 There is a …………………….. of the

pointer of the microammeter.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

 This indicates an electric current

…………………….
4. Predict what will happen if a
discharging metal sphere to the charged + + + + +
+
dome. +

 When the discharging metal sphere is

brought near the charged dome,
…………………………… occurs.
 An electric current ……………

5. Predict what will happen if hair of a

student is brought near to the charged
dome. Give reasons for your answer.
 The metal dome …………. the hair
and the hair stand ………………..
 This is because of each strand of hair
receives ……………….. charges and
…………………….. each other.

6. The flow of electrical charges produces ………………….

Electric Current
1. Electric current consists of a flow of …………......
2. The more charges that flow through a cross
section within a given time, the ………………
is the current.
3. Electric current is defined as the
rate of flow of ………………………….
Each second, 15 coulombs of charge cross the
plane. The current is I = 15 amperes. One
4. In symbols, it is given as: ampere is one coulomb per second.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

I= where I = …………………….…

Q = …………………….…
t = ………….....................

(i) The SI unit of charge is (Ampere /

Coulomb / Volt)
(ii) The SI unit of time is (minute /
second / hour)
(iii)The SI unit of current is (Ampere / Coulomb / Volt) is equivalent to
(Cs // C-1s // Cs-1)
I t
(iv) By rearranging the above formula, Q = ( It / / )
t I

4. If one coulomb of charge flows past in one second, then the current is ………………….
ampere.
5. 15 amperes means in ………………second, …………….. coulomb of charge through a
cross section of a conductor.
6. In a metal wire, the charges are carried by………………….
7. Each electron carries a charge of ………………………..
8. 1 C of charge is……………………………..

Electric Field
a) An electric field is a ………………. in which an……………… experiences
a…………..
b) An electric field can be represented by a number of lines indicate both
the……………. and ……………….. of the field
c) The principles involved in drawing electric field lines are :
(i) electric field lines always extend from a ……………… - charged
object to a
………………..-charged object
(ii) electric field lines never ………………….. each other,
(ii) electric field lines are ……………….. in a …………………..
electric field.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Demo: To study the electric field and the effects of an electric field.

Apparatus & materials

Extra high tension (E.H.T) power supply (0 – 5 kV), petri dish, electrodes with different
shapes (pointed electrode and plane electrode), two metal plates, talcum powder, cooking oil,
polystyrene ball coated with conducting paint, thread and candle.

Method

DEMO
A)

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the above figure

2. Switch on the E.H.T. power supply and adjust the voltage to 4 kV
3. Observed the pattern formed by the talcum powder for different types of electrodes.
4. Draw the pattern of the electric field lines.

 Draw the pattern of the electric field lines.

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND A POSITIVE CHARGE

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND A NEGATIVE CHARGE

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND A POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CHARGE

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND TWO NEGATIVE CHARGES

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND TWO POSITIVE CHARGES

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND A NEGATIVE CHARGE AND A

POSITIVELY CHARGED PLATE

ELECTRIC FIELD AROUND A POSITIVE CHARGE AND A

NEGATIVELY CHARGED PLATE

ELECTRIC FIELD BETWEEN TWO CHARGED

PARALLEL PLATES

EFFECT OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD ON A POLYSTYRENE BALL

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Observation:
The polystyrene ball oscillated between the
two plates, touching one plate after
another.

1. Place the polystyrene ball between the
two metal plates.
2. Switch on the E.H.T and displace the
polystyrene ball slightly so that it
touches one of the metal plates
Explanation:

When the polystyrene ball touches the
negatively charged plate, the ball
receives negative charges from the plate
and experiences a repulsive force.

The ball will then move to the positively
charged plate.

EFFECT OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD ON A CANDLE FLAME

C)
1) Switch of the E.H.T and replace the
polystyrene ball with a lighted candle.
2) Sketch the flame observed when the
E.H.T. is switched on.
Observation:
The candle flame splits into two portions in
opposite direction. The portion that is
attracted to the negative plate is very much
larger than the portion of the flame that
isExplanation:

The heat of the flame ionizes the air
molecules to become positive and
negative charges.

Conclusion
1. Electric field is a ………………………………………………………………………..
2. Like charges ………………. each other but opposite charges …………… each other.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

3. Electric field lines are ……………………in an electric field. The direction of the
field lines is from …………………….. to …………………………
Exercise 7.1
1. 5 C of charge flows through a wire in 10 s. What is the current in the wire?

2. A charge of 300 C flow through a bulb in every 2 minutes. What is the electric
current in the bulb?

3. The current in a lamp is 0.2 A. Calculate the amount of electric charge that passes
through the lamp in 1 hour.

4. If a current of 0.8 A flows in a wire, how many electrons pass through the wire in one
minute? (Given: The charge on an electron is 1.6 x 10-19 C)

An electric current of 200 mA flows through a resistor for 3 seconds, what is the
(a) electric charge
(b) the number of electrons which flow through the resistor?

Ideas of Potential Difference

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

(a) (b)
X

P Q


 Pressure at point P is ………………
than the pressure at point Q
 Water will flow from ……to ……
when the valve is opened.
 This due to the ……………….. in the
pressure of water
 Gravitational potential energy at X is ……………
than the gravitational potential energy at Y.
 The apple will fall from …… to …… when the
apple is released.
 This due to the …………………….. in the
gravitational potential energy.

(c) Similarly,
 Point A is connected to…………………. terminal
 Point B is connected to …………………. terminal
 Electric potential at A is ……………. than the electric
potential at B. Bulb
A B
 Electric current flows from A to B, passing the bulb in
the circuit and ……………….. the bulb.
 This is due to the electric ………………. between the
two terminals.
 As the charges flow from A to B, work is done when
electrical energy is transformed to ………….and
…………… energy.
 The potential difference, V between two points in a
circuit is defined as
……………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………
………………
 The potential difference,V between the two points will
be given by:

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

where W is ………………………….
Work
V= Quantityofch arg e
= Q is ………………………….
W
Q

Device and symbol

Cells
ammeter

voltmeter Switch
Constantan wire //
connecting wire eureka wire

bulb
resistance
rheostat

Measuring Current and Potential Difference/Voltage

Measurement of electricity Measurement of potential difference/voltage

(a) Electrical circuit

(a) Electrical circuit

(b) Circuit diagram

(b) Circuit diagram

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

1. Name the device used to measure 1. Name the device used to measure
electrical current. potential difference.

2. (a) What is the SI unit for current? 2. (a) What is the SI unit for potential
difference?

(b) What is the symbol for the unit of (b) What is the symbol for the unit of
current? potential difference?

3. How is an ammeter connected in an 3. How is an voltmeter connected in an

electrical circuit? electrical circuit?

4. The positive terminal of an ammeter 4. The positive terminal of a voltmeter is

is connected to which terminal of the dry connected to which terminal of the dry
cell? cell?

5. What will happen if the positive

terminal of the ammeter is connected to the
negative terminal of the dry cell?

Experiment: To investigate the relationship between current and potential difference

for an ohmic conductor.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

(a) (b)
Figure (a) and figure (b) show two electrical circuits. Why do the ammeters show different
readings? Why do the bulbs light up with different intensity?
Referring to the figure (a) and (b) complete the following table:

(a) Inference The current flowing through the bulb is influenced by the potential difference across it.

(b) Hypothesis
To determine the relationship between current and potential difference for a
(c) Aim
constantan wire.
(i) manipul
ated variable
:
(ii) respondi
(d) Variables :
ng variable
:
(iii) fixed
variable

Apparatus /
materials

Method :
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure.
2. Turn on the switch and adjust the rheostat so that the ammeter reads the
current, I= 0.2 A.
3. Read and record the potential difference, V across the wire.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for I = 0.3 A, 0.4 A, 0.5 A, 0.6 A and 0.7 A.

Tabulation of :
data Current,I/A Volt, V/V
0.2 1.0
0.3 1.5
0.4 2.0
0.5 2.5
0.6 3.0
0.7 3.5

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Analysis of data : Draw a graph of V against I .

Discussion : 1. From the graph plotted.

(a) What is the shape of the V-I graph?
The graph of V against I is a straight line that passes through origin

(b) What is the relationship between V and I?

This shows that the potential difference, V is directly proportional to the
current, I.

(c) Does the gradient change as the current increases?

V
The gradient ≡ the ratio of is a constant as current increases.
I
2. The resistance, R, of the constantan wire used in the experiment is equal to the
gradient of the V-I graph. Determine the value of R.

3. What is the function of the rheostat in the circuit?

It is to control the current flow in the circuit

Conclusion : The potential difference, V across a conductor increases when the current, I passing
through it increases as long as the conductor is kept at constant temperature.

Ohm’s Law
(a)
Ohm’s law states

that the electric current, I flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to

the potential difference across the ends of the conductor,

if temperature and other physical conditions remain constant

(b) By Ohm’s law: V  I

= constant  I

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

V
or = constant
I

(c) The constant is known as ………………………………. of the conductor.

(d) The resistance, R is a term that describes ……………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
It is also defined as the ratio…………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
That is
V
R= and V=
I

(e) The unit of resistance is …………………………………

(f) An ……………………….. is one which obeys Ohm’s law, while a conductor which
does not obey Ohm’s law is known as a ……………………….conductor
Factors Affecting Resistance
1. The resistance of a conductor is a measure of the ability of the conductor to (resist /
allow) the flow of an electric current through it.
2. From the formula V = IR, the current I is (directly / inversely) proportional to the
resistance, R.
3. When the value of the resistance, R is large, the current, I flowing in the conductor is
(small / large)
4. What are the factors affecting the resistance of a conductor?
a) …………………………………………………………….
b) …………………………………………………………….
c) …………………………………………………………….
d) …………………………………………………………….
5. Write down the relevant hypothesis for the factors affecting the resistance in the table
below.

Factors Diagram Hypothesis Graph

conductor, l Length of the

The …………… the conductor,

the …………….. its resistance

Resistance is ………………….
proportional to the length of a
conductor

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

The cross-sectional
The ……………….….. the cross -
sectional area, the …….…………
the its resistance

Resistance is ……………...……..
proportional to the cross-sectional
area of a conductor
the conductor,
of the

Different conductors with the

same physical conditions have
……………………. resistance
area
of the of the
conductorThe temperaturematerial of type
The

The …………………. The

temperature of a conductor, the
…………………... the resistance

6. From, the following can be stated:

 Resistance of a conductor, R  length
 Resistance of a conductor, R  1
cross-sectional area

 Hence, resistance of a conductor, R  length

cross-sectional area

Or R l or R=  l where  = resistivity of the

A A substance
Exercise 7.2

1. Tick (√) the correct answers

True False

(a) Unit of potential difference is J C-1

(b) J C-1 ≡ volt, V

The potential difference between two points is 1 volt if 1 joule
(c) of work is required to move a charge of 1 coulomb from one
point to another.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

2 volt is two joules of work done to move 2 coulomb of charge

(d)
from one to another in an electric field.

(e) Potential difference ≡ Voltage

I t
2. i) Electric charge, Q = ( It / / )
t I
V Q
ii) Work done, W = (QV / Q / )
V
iii) Base on your answer in 2(i) and (ii) derive the work done, W in terms of I, V and t.
W = QV
= ItV

3. If a charge of 5.0 C flows through a wire and the amount of electrical energy converted
into heat is 2.5 J. Calculate the potential differences across the ends of the wire.

W = QV
2.5 = 5.0 (V)
V = 0.5 V

4. A light bulb is switched on for a period of time. In that period of time, 5 C of charges
passed through it and 25 J of electrical energy is converted to light and heat energy. What
is the potential difference across the bulb?

W = QV
20 = 6 (V)
V = 3.33 V
5. The potential difference of 10 V is used to operate an electric motor. How much work is
done in moving 3 C of electric charge through the motor?

W = QV
= 3 (10)
= 30 J

6. When the potential difference across a bulb is Bulb

20 V, the current flow is 3 A. How much work 3A
done to transform electrical energy to light and A
heat energy in 50 s? 20
V
W = VIt
= 20 (3) (50)

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

= 3000 J

7. What is the potential difference across a light bulb

of resistance 5  when the current that passes
through it is 0.5 A?

V = IR
= 0.5 (5)
2.5 V

8. A potential difference of 3.0 V applied across a resistor of resistance R drives a current of

2.0 A through it. Calculate R.

V = IR
3.0 = 2.0 (R) = 1.5 
9. What is the value of the resistor in the figure, if
the dry cells supply 2.0 V and the ammeter
reading is 0.5 A?

V = IR
2.0 = 0.5 (R)
R = 4

10. If the bulb in the figure has a resistance of 6 ,

what is the reading shown on the ammeter, if the
dry cells supply 3 V?

V = IR
3.0 = 6 (R)
R = 0.5 

11. If a current of 0.5 A flows through the resistor of

3  in the figure, calculate the voltage supplied
by the dry cells?

V = IR
= 0.5 (3)
R = 1.5 

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

12. The graph shows the result of an experiment to V/V

determine the resistance of a wire. The resistance
of the wire is 1.2

From V-I graph, resistance = gradient

=
= 2.4
I/A
0 5
13. An experiment was conducted to measure the
current, I flowing through a constantan wire when
the potential difference V across it was varied.
The graph shows the results of the experiment.
What is the resistance of the resistor?

From V-I graph, resistance = gradient

14.Referring to the diagram on the right, calculate

(a) The current flowing through the resistor.

V = IR
12 = I (5)
I = 2.4 A

(b) The amount of electric charge that passes

through the resistor in 30 s

Q = It
= 2.4 (30)
= 72 C

(c) The amount of work done to transform the

electric energy to the heat energy in 30 s.

W = QV or W = VIt
= 72 (12) = 12(2.4)(30)
= 864 C = 864 C

15. Figure shows a torchlight that uses two 1.5 V dry

cells. The two dry cells are able to provide a + 1.5 V - + 1.5 V -
current of 0.3 A when the bulb is at its normal
brightness. What is the resistance of the filament?

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

V = IR
3.0 = 0.3(R)
I = 10

16. The diagram shows four metal rods of P, Q, R

and S made of the same substance.
a) Which of the rod has the most
resistance?
P
b) Which of the rod has the least
resistance?
S

17. The graph shows the relationship between the

V/V
potential difference, V and current, I flowing X
through two conductors, X and Y.
8

Y
a) Calculate the resistance of conductor X.
From V-I graph, resistance = gradient 2
= 0 I/A
0 2
= 4

b) Calculate the resistance of conductor Y.

From V-I graph, resistance = gradient
=
= 1

c) If the cross sectional area of X is 5.0 x 10-6

m2, and the length of X is 1.2 m, calculate its
resistivity.

18. The graph shows a graph of I against V for three I/A

P
conductors, P, Q and R.
Q

R
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V/V
 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

i) Compare the resistance of

conductor P, Q and R.

ii) Explain your answer in (a)

From V-I graph, resistance = gradient
The greater the gradient, the greater the resistance
Gradient of P > Gradient of Q > Gradient of R
19. Figure shows a wire P of length, l with a cross-
sectional area, A and a resistance, R. Another
wire, Q is a conductor of the same material with
a length of 3l and twice the cross-sectional area
of P. What is resistance of Q in terms of R?
Conductor Q R’ = (notes: P and R have the same resistivity, ρ)
R

20. PQ, is a piece of uniform wire of length 1 m

with a resistance of 10. Q is connected to an
ammeter, a 2  resistor and a 3 V battery. What
is the reading on the ammeter when the jockey
is at X?
Resistance in the wire
R is directly proportional to l

= 0.75 A
21. Figure shows the circuit used to investigate the relationship between potential
difference, V and current, I for a piece of constantan wire. The graph of V against I
from the experiment is as shown in the figure below.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

(a) What quantities are kept constant in this experiment?

Length // cross-sectional area // type of material // temperature of the wire
(b) State the changes in the gradient of the graph, if
i) the constantan wire is heated
R , gradient  // the resistance increases, hence the gradient increases

ii) a constantan wire of a smaller cross-sectional area is used

R , gradient  // the resistance increases, hence the gradient increases

iii)a shorter constantan wire is used

R , gradient  // the resistance decreases, hence the gradient decreases
7.3 SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Current Flow and Potential Difference in Series and Parallel Circuit
SERIES CIRCUIT PARALLEL CIRCUIT

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

1 the current flows through each bulb/resistor is

1 the potential difference is the same across each
the same.
bulb/resistor
I = I1 = I2 = I3
V = V1 = V2 = V3
2 the potential difference across each bulb /
2 the current passing through each bulb / resistor is
resistor depends directly on its ………………….
inversely proportional to the resistance of the
The potential difference supplied by the dry cells
resistor. The current in the circuit equals to the
is shared by all the bulbs / resistors.
sum of the currents passing through the bulbs /
resistors in its parallel branches.
V = V1 + V2 + V3 where V is the potential
I = I1 + I2 + I3 where I is the total current
difference across the
from the battery
battery
3 If Ohm’s law is applied separately to each bulb /
3 If Ohm’s law is applied separately to each bulb /
resistor, we get :
resistor, we get :
I = I1 + I2 + I3
V = V1 + V2 + V3
V V V V
IR = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 R = R + R + R3
1 2

If each term in the equation is divided by V, we

If each term in the equation is divided by I, we
get the effective resistance
get the effective resistance
R = R1 + R2 + + R3 1 1 1 1
R = R + R + R
1 2 3

Identify series circuit or parallel circuit

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Ammeter reading ≡ Current

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Voltmeter reading ≡ Potential difference ≡ Voltage

Effective resistance, R

(a)
(b)

(c)
(d)

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

(e) (f)

(h)
(g)

(i)
(j)

Solve problems using V = IR

Exercise 7.3

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

1. The two bulbs in the figure have a resistance of 2 and 3

respectively. If the voltage of the dry cell is 2.5 V, calculate

(a) the effective resistance, R of the circuit

Effective R = 2 + 3 = 5 

(b) the main current, I in the circuit (c) the potential difference across each bulb.
V = IR 2: V = IR = (0.5)(2) = 1V
2.5 =I(5) 3: V = IR = (0.5)(3) = 1.5 V
= 0.5 A

2. There are two resistors in the circuit shown. Resistor R1 has a

resistance of 1. If a 3V voltage causes a current of 0.5A to flow
through the circuit, calculate the resistance of R2.
V = IR
3=0.5(1+R2)
R2 = 5

3. The electrical current flowing through each branch, I1 and I2, is 5

A. Both bulbs have the same resistance, which is 2. Calculate
the voltage supplied.
Parallelcircuit;V =V1=V2 = IR1 or
= IR2
= 5(2)
= 10 V

4.
The voltage supplied to the parallel is 3 V. R1 and R2
have a resistance of 5 and 20. Calculate

(a) the potential difference across each resistor

3 V (parallel circuit)

(b) the effective resistance, R of the circuit

1/R = 1/5 + 1/20 =1/4
R=4

(c) the main current, I in the circuit (d) the current passing through each resistor
V = IR 5: V = IR 20 : V = IR
3 =I(4) 3 =I(5) 3 =I(20)
= 0.75 A I = 0.6 A I = 0.15 A

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

5. In the circuit shown, what is the reading on the ammeter

when switch, S

(a) is open? (b) is closed?

Effective R = 6  Effective R = 4 
V = IR V = IR
12 =I(6) 12 =I(4)
I=2A I=3A

6. Determine the voltmeter reading. Determine the ammeter reading.

(a) (a)

(b)

7.

Calculate (d) (i) The potential difference across 8

(a) The effective resistance, R resistor.
R = 12  V = IR
(b) The main current, I = 2(8) = 16 V
I=2A (ii) The potential difference across 2.5
(c) The current passing through 8 and 2.5 resistor.
resistors. V = IR
I=2A = 2(2.5) = 5 V
(e) The current passing through 6  resistor.
V = V8 + V2.5 +Vparallel
24 = 16 + 5 + Vparallel
Vparallel = 3V
V = IR
3 = I(6)
I = 0.5 A

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

8.

The electrical components in our household appliances are connected in a combination of series and
parallel circuits. The above figure shows a hair dryer which has components connected in series and
parallel. Describe how the circuit works.

 The hair dryer has three switches A, B and C

 When switch A is switched on, the dryer will only blow air at ordinary room
temperature
 When switches A and B are both switched on, the dryer will blow hot air.
 As a safety feature to prevent overheating, the heating element will not be switched on
if the fan is not switched on
 The hair dryer has an energy saving feature. Switch C will switch on the dryer only
when it is held by the hand of user
 The body of the hair dryer must be safe to hold and does not get hot easily

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

7.4 ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE AND INTERNAL RESISTANCE

Electromotive force

Figure (a) Figure (b)

Voltmeter reading, Voltmeter reading,

e.m.f. potential difference, V < e.m.f.,
E

E,r

R
Current flowing
No current flow

1. An electrical circuit is set up as shown in figure (a). A high resistance voltmeter is

connected across a dry cell which labeled 1.5 V.
a) Figure (a) is (an open circuit / a closed circuit)
b) There is (current flowing / no current flowing) in the circuit. The bulb (does not light up /
lights up)
c) The voltmeter reading shows the (amount of current flow across the dry cell / potential
difference across the dry cell)
d) The voltmeter reading is (0 V / 1.5 V / Less than 1.5 V)
e) The potential difference across the cell in open circuit is (0 V / 1.5 V / Less than 1.5 V).
Hence, the electromotive force, e.m.f., E is (0 V / 1.5 V / Less than 1.5 V)

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

f) It means, (0 J / less than 1.5 J / 1.5 J / 3.0 J) of electrical energy is required to move 1 C
charge across the cell or around a complete circuit.
2. The switch is then closed as shown in figure (b).

a) Figure (b) is (an open circuit / a closed circuit)

b) There is (current flowing / no current flowing) in the circuit. The bulb (does not light
up / lights up)
c) The voltmeter reading is the (potential difference across the dry cell / potential
difference across the bulb / electromotive force).
d) The reading of the voltmeter when the switch is closed is (lower than/ the same as /
higher than) when the switch is open.
e) If the voltmeter reading in figure (b) is 1.3 V, it means, the electrical energy dissipated
by 1C of charge after passing through the bulb is (0.2 J / 1.3 J / 1.5 J)
f) The potential difference drops by (0.2 V/ 1.3 V / 1.5 V). It means, the potential difference
lost across the internal resistance, r of the dry cell is (0.2 V/ 1.3 V / 1.5 V).
g) State the relationship between e.m.f , E , potential difference across the bulb, VR and drop
in potential difference due to internal resistance, Vr.

Electromotive force, e.m.f., E = Potential Difference + Drop in Potential Difference

across resistor, R due to internal resistance,r

= VR + Vr where VR = IR and Vr = Ir
= IR + Ir
= I (R + r)

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

3.

i. Why is the potential difference across the resistor not the same as the
e.m.f. of the battery?

The potential drops as much as 0.4 V across the internal resistance

ii. Determine the value of the internal resistance.

Since E = V + Ir

1.5 = 1.1 + 0.5 r

r = 0.8 
Therefore, the value of the internal resistance is 0.8 

iii. Determine the value of the external resistor.

Since V = IR
1.1 = 0.5 R

R = 2.2 

Therefore, the value of the external resistance is 2.2 

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Activity : To determine the values of the electromotive force (e.m.f.) and

the internal resistance, r of the cell

Voltmeter

V
Internal resistance

+
Dry cell
-
Ammeter
Switch

Rheostat

To determine the values of the electromotive force (e.m.f.) and

Aim
the internal resistance, r of the cell
Apparatus / Dry cells holder, ammeter (0 – 1 A), voltmeter(0 – 5 V), rheostat (0 – 15 ), connecting
materials wires, switch, and 2 pieces of 1.5 V dry cell.
Method :
a) Set up the circuit as shown in the figure.
b) Turn on the switch, and adjust the rheostat to give a small reading of the
ammeter, I, 0.2 A.
c) Read and record the readings of ammeter and voltmeter respectively
d) Adjust the rheostat to produce four more sets of readings, I = 0.3 A, 0.4 A, 0.5
A and 0.6 A.

Tabulation of :
data Current,I/A Volt, V/V
0.2 2.6
0.3 2.5
0.4 2.4
0.5 2.2
0.6 2.0
0.7 1.9

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Analysis of data :

Based on the
above data,
draw a graph of
V against I

Discussion : 1. From the graph plotted, state the relationship between the potential difference, V
across the cell and the current flow, I?
The potential difference, V across the cell decreases as the current flow increases.
2. A cell has an internal resistance, r. This is the resistance against the movement of
the charge due to the electrolyte in the cell. With the help of the figure, explain the
result obtained in this experiment.
When the current flowing through the circuit increases, the quantity of charge
flowing per unit time increased. Hence, more energy was lost in moving a larger
amount of charge across the electrolyte. Because of this, there was a bigger drop in
potential difference measured by the voltmeter.
3. By using the equation E = V + Ir
(a) write down V in terms of E, I and r.
V = -rI + E

(b) explain how can you determine the values of E and r from the graph plotted in
this experiment.
E = the vertical intercept of the V – I graph
R = the gradient of the V – I graph

(c) determine the values of E and r from the graph.

By extrapolating the graph until it cuts the vertical axis,
E = 2.9 V
r = - gradient
= 1.4 

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Exercise 7.4
1 A voltmeter connected directly across a battery gives a reading of 1.5 V.
The voltmeter reading drops to 1.35 V when a bulb is connected to the
battery and the ammeter reading is 0.3 A. Find the internal resistance of
the battery.

E = 3.0 V, V = 1.35 V, I = 0.3 A

Substitute in : E = V + Ir
1.5 = 1.35 + 0.3(r)
r = 0.5 

2. A circuit contains a cell of e.m.f 3.0 V and internal resistance, r. If the external resistor has a value of 10.0
 and the potential difference across it is 2.5 V, find the value of the current, I in the circuit and the internal
resistance, r.
E = 3.0 V, R = 10 , V = 2.5 V
Calculate current : V = IR
Calculate internal resistance : E = I(R + r)
r = 2.0 
3 A simple circuit consisting of a 2 V dry cell with an internal resistance of 0.5. When the switch is
closed, the ammeter reading is 0.4 A.
Calculate
(a) the voltmeter reading in open circuit
The voltmeter reading = e.m.f. = 2 V
(b) the resistance, R (c) the voltmeter reading in closed circuit
E = I(R + r) V = IR
2 = 0.4(R + 0.5) = 0.4 (4.5)
R = 4.5  = 1.8 V

4 Find the voltmeter reading and the resistance, R of the

resistor.
E = V + Ir
12 = V + 0.5 (1.2)
V = 11.4 V

V = IR
e.m.f. 11.4 = 0.5 (R)
R = 22.8 

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

5
/V
A cell of e.m.f., E and internal resistor, r is connected to
a rheostat. The ammeter reading, I and the voltmeter
reading, V are recorded for different resistance, R of the 6
rheostat. The graph of V against I is as shown.
2
From the graph, determine
/A
2
a) the electromotive force, e.m.f., E b) the internal resistor, r of the cell
E = V + Ir r = - gradient
Rearrange :V = E - Ir = - (6 - 2)
Equivalent : y = mx + c 2
Hence, from V – I graph : E = c = intercept of V-axis =2
=6V
6 V/V
The graph V against I shown was obtained from an experiment.

1.5
a) Sketch a circuit diagram for the experiment

0.2
1/A
5

b) From the graph, determine

i) the internal resistance of the battery ii) the e.m.f. of the battery
r = -gradient E = c = intercept of V-axis
= 0.26 = 1.5 V

7 A graph of R against 1/I shown in figure was obtained

R/
from an experiment to determine the electromotive force,
1.3 e.m.f., E and internal resistance, r of a cell. From the
graph, determine
a) the internal resistance of the cell
E = I(R + r)
1 (A ) Rearrange
-1 :R=
0.5 I
- r,
Hence, r = -gradient = -(-0.2) = 0.2
- 0.2
b) the e.m.f. of the cell
e.m.f. = gradient = 3 V

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

7.5 ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND POWER

Electrical Energy

1. Energy Conversion

(a) battery (b) battery

(chemical energy) (chemical energy)

current current current current

Light and heat

energy

Energy Conversion: Energy Conversion:

Electrical energy  Light energy Electrical energy  Kinetic
+ Heat energy energy

2. When an electrical appliance is switched on, the flows and the .............................. energy
supplied by the source is ................................... to other forms of energy.
3. Therefore, we can define electrical energy as :

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Electrical Energy and Electrical Power

1. Potential difference, V across two points is the ............................ dissipated or

transferred by a coulomb of charge, Q that moves across the two points.
2. Therefore,
Potential difference, V = Electrical energy dissipated, E
Charge, Q
3. Hence, E = VQ
4. Power is defined as the rate of energy dissipated or transferred.
5. Hence, Power, P = Energy dissipated, E
time, t

Electrical Energy, E Electrical Power, P

From the definition of potential Power is the rate of transfer of electrical energy,
difference, V

Electrical energy converted, E

E = VQ P = VQ
; where Q = It
t

Hence, ; where V = IR
E = VI t P = VI

2
Hence, E = I2R ; where I = V P= I R
R t

2
P = I2 R
Hence, E= V t
R

SI unit : Joule (J) SI unit : Joule per second // J s-1 // Watt(W)

Power Rating and Energy Consumption of Various Electrical Appliances

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

1. The amount of electrical energy consumed in a given period of time can be calculated
by
Energy consumed = Power rating x Time
E = Pt where energy, E is in Joules
power, P is in watts
time, t is in seconds
2. The unit of measurement used for electrical energy consumption is the
………………………………………...
1 kWh = 1000 x 3600 J
= 3.6 x 106 J
= 1 unit
3. One kilowatt-hour is the electrical energy dissipated or transferred by a ….. kW device in
……... hour
4. Household electrical appliances that work on the heating effect of current are usually
marked with, ……………… and …………………..
5. The energy consumption of an electrical appliance depends on the ……………… and

the………………………., , E = Pt

6. Power dissipated in a resistor, three ways to calculate:

R= 100, I=0.5 A, P=? R= 100, V=50 W, P=? V=50 V, I=0.5 A, P=?

P = I2R P = (V/R)2 R P = I2(V/I)

= (0.5)2 100 = V2/R = IV
= 25 watts = (50)2 /100 = (0.50)50
= 2500/100 = 25 watts
= 25 watts

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Cost of energy
Energy
Appliance Quantity Power / W Power / kW Time Consumed
(kWh)

Bulb 5 60 8 hours

Refrigerator 1 400 24 hours

Kettle 1 1500 3 hours

Iron 1 1000 2 hours

Total energy consumed, E = (0.48 + 9.6 + 4.5 + 2.0)

= 16.58 kWh

Cost = 16.58 kWh x RM 0.28

= RM 4.64

Comparing Various Electrical Appliances in Terms of Efficient Use of Energy

1. A tungsten filament lamp changes ...............................to

useful ................ energy and unwanted ................energy
2. A fluorescent lamp or an ‘energy saving lamp’ produces
less heat than a filament lamp for the same amount of
light produced.
3. a) Efficiency of a filament lamp :
Efficiency = Output power x 100
Input power
= 3 x 100
60
= 5%
b) Efficiency of a fluorescent lamp and an ‘energy
saving lamp’
Efficiency = Output power x 100
Input power
= 3 x 100
12
= 25 %

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Exercise 7.5
1. How much power dissipated in the bulb?

(a) R = 10

5V

(b) R = 10

R = 10

5V

2.
V= 15V I

R1=2 R3=4
R2=4

Calculate
(a) the current, I in the circuit (b) the energy released in R 1 in 10 s.

(b) the electrical energy supplied by the battery in 10 s.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

2. A lamp is marked “12 V, 24 W”. How many joules of electrical energy does it consume
in an hour?

3. A current of 5A flows through an electric heater when it is connected to the 24 V mains

supply. How much heat is released after 2 minutes?

4. An electric kettle is rated 240 V 2 kW. Calculate the resistance of its heating element and
the current at normal usage.

5. An electric kettle operates at 240 V and carries current of 1.5 A.

(a) How much charge will flow through the heating coil in 2 minutes.

(b) How much energy will be transferred to the water in the kettle in 2 minutes?

(c) What is the power dissipated in the kettle?

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

6. An electric kettle is labeled 3 kW, 240 V.

(a) What is meant by the label 3 kW, 240 V?

The electric kettle dissipates electrical power 3 kW if it operates at 240 V

(b) What is the current flow through the kettle?

(c) Determine the suitable fuse to be used in the kettle.

12 A
(d) Determine the resistance of the heating elements in the kettle.

7. Table below shows the power rating and energy consumption of some electrical appliances when
connected to the 240 V mains supply.

Appliance Quantity Power rating / W Time used per day

Kettle jug 1 2000 1 hour
Refrigerator 1 400 24 hours
Television 1 200 6 hours
Lamp 5 60 8 hours
Electricity cost: RM 0.218 per kWh

Calculate

(a) Energy consumed in 1 day

= 1.2 kWh
Lamp = 5 x 0.06 x 8
= 2.4 kWh
Total energy consumed = 15.2 kWh
(b) How much would it cost to operate the appliances for 1 month?

Cost = 16.58 kWh x 30 x RM 0.218

= RM 108.43

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

8. A vacuum cleaner consumes 1 kW of power but only delivers 400 J of useful work per
second. What is the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner?

9. An electric motor is used to lift a load of mass 2 kg to a height 5 m in 2.5 s. If the supply
voltage is 12 V and the flow of current in the motor is 5.0 A, calculate

(a) Energy input to the motor

(b) Useful energy output of the motor

(c) Efficiency of the motor

Reinforcement Exercise Chapter 7

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

Part A: Objective Questions

1. What is the unit of electric charge?

A. Ampere, A
B. kelvin,K
C. Coulomb, C
D. Volt, V

2. Which of the following diagrams shows the

correct electric field? D.
A.

4. A small heater operates at 12 V, 2A. How

B. much energy will it use when it is run for 5
minutes?
A. 90 J
B. 120 J
C. 1800 J
D. 7200 J

5. The electric current supplied by a battery in a

digital watch is 3.0 x 10-5 A. What is the
C. quantity of charge that flows in 2 hours?

A. 2.5 x 10-7 C
B. 1.5 x 10-5 C
C. 6.0 x 10-5 C
D. 3.6 x 10-3 C
E. 2.2 x 10-1 C

6. Which of the following circuits can be used to

determine the resistance of the bulb?
3. Which of the following graphs shows the
correct relationship between the potential
A.
difference, V and current, I for an ohmic
conductor?
A.

B.

B.

C.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

C. D. the pressure exerted on 1 C of charge

12. Which two resistor combinations have the same

resistance between X and Y?

D.

7. Why is the filament made in the shape of a coil?

A. To increase the length and produce a higher
resistance.
B. To increase the current and produce more A. P and Q
energy. B. P and S
C. To decrease the resistance and produce C. Q and R
higher current D. R and S
D. To decrease the current and produce a higher
potential difference

8. Which of the following will not affect the

resistance of a conducting wire.
A. temperature
B. length
C. cross-sectional area 13. In the circuit above, what is the ammeter
D. current flow through the wire reading when the switch S is turned on?
A. 1.0 A
B. 1.5 A
C. 2.0 A
9. The potential difference between two points in a D. 9.0 A
circuit is E. 10.0 A
A. the rate of flow of the charge from one point
to another 14. A 2 kW heater takes 20 minutes to heat a
B. the rate of energy dissipation in moving one pail of water. How much energy is supplied
coulomb of charge from one point to by the heater to the water in this period of
another time?
C. the work done in moving one coulomb of A. 1.2 x 106 J
charge from one point to another B. 1.8 x 106 J
D. the work done per unit current flowing from C. 2.4 x 106 J
one point to another D. 3.6 x 106 J
E. 4.8 x 106 J
10. An electric kettle connected to the 240 V main
supply draws a current of 10 A. What is the 15. All bulbs in the circuits below are identical.
power of the kettle? Which circuit has the smallest effective
A. 200 W resistance?
B. 2000 W A.
C. 2400 W
D. 3600 W
E. 4800 W

11. An e.m.f. of a battery is defined as

A. the force supplied to 1 C of charge
B. the power supplied to 1 C of charge
C. the energy supplied to 1 C of charge

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

B. A. Power
B. Electrical energy
C. Electromotive force

C.

D.

18. The circuit above shows four identical bulbs

to a cell 6 V. Which bulb labeled A, B, C
and D is the brightest?

19. A 24  resistor is connected across the

terminals of a 12 V battery. Calculate the
16. An electric motor lifts a load with a potential power dissipated in the resistor.
difference 12 V and fixed current 2.5 A. If A. 0.5 W
the efficiency of the motor is 80%, how long B. 2.0 W
does it take to lift a load of 600 N through a C. 4.0 W
vertical height of 4 m D. 6.0 W
A. 20 s E. 8.0 W
B. 40 s
C. 60 s 20. Which of the following quantities can be
D. 80 s measured in units of JC-1
E. 100 s A. Resistance
B. Potential difference
17. The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of C. Electric current
measurement of

Part B: Structured Questions

1.

The figure above shows a graph of electric current against potential difference for three different conductors
X, Y and Z.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

(a) Among the three conductors, which conductor obeys Ohm’s law?

___________________________________________________________________________________

(b) State Ohm’s law.

___________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Resistance, R is given by the formula R = V/I. What is the resistance of X when the current flowing
through it is 0.4 A? Show clearly on the graph how is the answer obtained.

(d) Among X, Y and Z, which is a bulb? Explain your answer.

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. The figure below shows an electric kettle connected to a 240 V power supply by a flexible cable. The
kettle is rated “240 V, 2500 W”.

The table below shows the maximum electric current that is able to flow through wires of various
diameters.

diameter of wire / mm maximum current / A

0.80 8

1.00 10

1.20 13

1.40 15

(a) What is the current flowing through the cable when the kettle is switched on?

(b) Referring to the table above,

i. What is the smallest diameter wire that can be safely used for this kettle?

_________________________________________________________

ii. Explain why it is dangerous to use a wire thinner than the one selected in b(i)

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

(c) State one precautionary measure that should be taken to ensure safe usage of the kettle.

___________________________________________________________________________________

(d) Mention one fault that might happen in the cable that will cause the fuse in the plug to melt.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Part C: Essay Questions

1. Figure 1 shows the reading of the voltmeter in a simple electric circuit

Figure 2 shows the reading of the same voltmeter

(a) What is meant by electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a battery?

(b) Referring to figure (a) and figure (b), compare the state of the switch, S, and the readings of
the voltmeter. State a reason for the observation on the readings of the voltmeter.

(c) Draw a suitable simple electric circuit and a suitable graph, briefly explain how the e.m.f. and
the quantity in your reason in (b) can be obtained.

(d)

The figure above shows a dry cell operated torchlight with metal casing

(i) What is the purpose of the spring in the torchlight?

(ii) Why it is safe to use the torchlight although the casing is made of metal?
(iii) What is the purpose of having a concave reflector in the torchlight?

2. A group of engineers were entrusted to choose a suitable cable to be used as the transmitting cable for a
long distance electrical transmission through National Grid Network.
Four different cables and their characteristic of the cables were given. The length and diameter of all
the cables are similar.

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 Physics Module Form 5
Chapter 7: Electricity

(a) Define the resistance of a conductor.

(b) The table below shows the characteristic of the four cables, A, B, C and D.

Resistivity / Maximum load Density /

Rate of expansion
m before breaking/ N kgm-3

A 0.020 500 2800 Low

B 0.056 300 3200 Low

C 0.031 400 5600 Medium

D 0.085 200 3800 High

Base on the above table:
(i) Explain the suitability of each characteristic of the table to be used for a long distance
electricity transmission
(ii) Determine the most suitable wire and state the reason

(c) Suggest how three similar bulbs are arranged effectively in a domestic circuit. Draw a
diagram to explain your answer. Give two reasons for the arrangement.

(d) An electric kettle is rated 2.0 kW.

(i) Calculate how long would it take to boil 1.5 kg of water from an initial temperature of 280 C.
[specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg-1 0C-1]
(ii) What is the assumption made in the calculations above?

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