Year 9 Electricity

Name: ______________________________________________________

AN INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICITY
We use electricity in our homes every day. A large proportion of the electricity we consume
(approximately 43%) is used for electric motors and lighting; heating and appliances account for a further
30%. About 10% is used for refrigeration and 5% for cooking. Domestic electronic devices, like T.V. and
computers consume minimal amounts.

Try This - Think, Pair, Share

For 30 seconds think about the ways that you used electricity today. Share your ideas with a partner. You
will then be asked to share your discussion with the class.

Think About This – Discuss these with a partner then share with the class
a. To what extent has the development of electrical appliances changed the type of housework done
today.
b. Has electricity created any extra housework?
c. What do you think electricity is?

Conductors and Insulators

A conductor is a material through which an electric charge is readily transferred. As electricity is related
to the movement of electrons, conductors tend to be materials in which there are free electrons to carry
the charge. Most metals are good conductors as they have electrons that are free to travel through the
material. Carbon, a non-metal, is also a conductor for this reason.

An insulator is a material through which an electric charge is not readily transferred (no free moving
electrons). Good insulators are glass, mica, hard rubber, sulfur, silk, dry air and many plastics.

CURRENT ELECTRICITY

ELECTRIC CURRENT
When charges move, they form an electric current. We can say that current is the rate of transfer of charge
or the rate of flow of electrons or the rate of flow of charge.

The unit of electric current is the ampere (A). If one coulomb of electric charge passes any one point in
one second, it is said to form one ampere (A) of current.
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ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMATIONS

Electrical energy is not used up when you use an appliance, it is

transformed. The energy source is usually a cell, battery or
generator. Batteries contain stored chemical energy which is
transformed to electrical energy of the electrons which is then
transformed to kinetic energy as the electrons move around the
circuit and collide with the atoms of the various parts of the
circuit through which they are passing. The energy lost by the
electrons in the collisions becomes vibrational energy of the
atoms so the circuit gets hot. If a globe is one of the
components of the circuit, the filament inside the globe will
give of light and when it is hot, heat energy. And so the idea can
be extended to more complex circuits and more forms of energy
transformation.
Question:
Select an electrical device. Name the device: for example a TV
Explain the energy transformations within this system.

Electrical energy is transformed into light, heat and sound

CONNECTING COMPONENTS IN DC CIRCUITS

Electrical Components
Electrical components can be divided into four main areas:
a. conductors e.g. wires
b. resistors e.g. lights, electrical appliances
c. sources of potential e.g. batteries, chemical cells, power packs
d. switches to control the flow of electrons.
Electrical circuits can often be very complex so to simplify things, circuit diagrams are used with circuit
symbols for the components.
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The Basic Circuit:

The basic circuit has a power source, switch, resistor (globe) and
leads.

Label the diagram for conventional current.

Besides the basic circuit, there are three main types of circuits:
Series – in which all parts of the circuit are connected in a
continuous circle (although for easy reading, we usually draw a
rectangle shape). These are simple circuits as there is only one
path for the current.
Parallel – parts of circuit connected in parallel so that each part has its own path for the current.
Complex – combination of series and parallel connections. Most electrical devices are complex circuits.

SERIES CIRCUITS:
In a series circuit, there is only one path for the current as shown
below. Cheap Christmas tree lights are a good example of this
type of circuit or a switch for lights.

PARALLEL CIRCUITS
These circuits are set up so that each electrical device has its own path for
the current as shown below. The sum of the currents in the different parts of
a parallel circuit is equal to the total current. House lights are set up in
parallel so that if one goes out the rest stay on.

ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE – OHM’S LAW

When a current flows in a circuit, there is a resistance to the flow that results in energy losses from the
electric circuit. Materials that offer electrical resistance are called resistors. The ratio of the potential
difference (sometimes called voltage and measured in volts - V) to the current for a component is called
the resistance and it is measured in ohms with the unit being the Greek letter  (pronounced ‘omega’). A
resistance (R) of 1 ohm is experienced if there is a potential difference (V) of 1 volt per 1 ampere of
current (I) flowing, therefore:

V Where: R = resistance in ohms ()

R V = potential difference in volts (V)
I
I = current in Amps (A)
Some of the factors that can affect electrical resistance are:
a. size of potential difference across the ends of the wire
b. length of the wire
c. cross-sectional area of the wire
d. temperature of the wire
e. the material from which the wire is made (resistivity)

Georg Simon Ohm was the first scientist to study the relationship between potential difference and
current. Any conductor for which the potential difference vs current graph is a straight line is called an
ohmic conductor the relationship is said to be directly proportional starting at 0,0 (see graph (b) below).
The resistance of some conductors can be affected by light or temperature and a plot of voltage vs current
for such resistors produces a curved line (see graph (c) below). These resistors are called non-ohmic
conductors as the relationship between potential difference and current is not directly proportional and a
curved line is obtained when graphing.

Questions:
1. An electric stove element has a resistance of 12 . If 240 V is applied across the element what is the
current in it?
V
I
R
240
I
12
I = 20 A

2. What is the potential difference across a 20.0  resistor which is carrying a 4.00 A current?

V = IR
V = 4 x 20
V = 80 V

3. A current of 1.00 x 102 mA flows through a resistor of 5.00 x 106 . Calculate the potential difference
across the resistor.
V = IR
= 0.1 x 5 x 106
V = 500000
V = 5.00 x 105 V

Potential Difference
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We have already discussed the fact that when two points exist at a different potential and are connected,
then electrons flow and we have an electric current. Electrical potential difference is measured in terms
of the amount of work (energy) that has to be done to move a charge from one place to the other. As
you know, the unit of electrical potential difference is the VOLT (V).

Electrical Energy Used

The energy consumed by an electrical appliance depends upon the rate of energy use (power rating) and
the time for which it is operating. Knowing that work is equivalent to energy,
E = VIt where E = energy used (or work done) in joules (J)
V = potential difference supplied (V)
I = current (A)
t = operating time (s)
Questions:
1. A motor car’s two headlights are each operating on a 12.0V power supply. If they each draw 8.33A of
current, calculate the the total energy consumed by the two headlights during a 2.00 hour night journey
.

E = VITt
= 12 x 8.33 x (2 x 60 x 60)
E = 7.20 x 105 J

2. A current of 10.0 x 10-3A flows across a potential difference of 2.00 x 102 V for 3.00
minutes. Calculate the amount of energy consumed?
E = VIT
= 200 x (10 x 10-3) x (3 x 60)
E = 360 J

Resistance, Current and PD in Circuits – The Theory

A. The Basics
1. Electrons flow around the circuit from the energy source (power pack) back to the energy source – the
rate of flow of electrons (or charge) is called current (symbol I) and is measured in amperes or Amps
(symbol A).
2. Any part of the circuit that tries to slow the movement of the electrons (current) is called a resistor.
This slowing is called resistance (symbol R) and is measured in ohms (symbol ).
3. The electric potential difference (symbol V) can be described as the work done per unit charge as a
charge is moved between two points in an electric field.
Another way of looking at potential difference that can help in understanding the mathematical
electrical circuits is that potential difference can be thought of as the energy given to the electrons by
the energy source (power pack) that can be used to run electrical devices such as globes.

B. Applying The Basics

1. Electrons given energy by power pack to create a large charge difference (potential difference).
2. Electrons move around circuit at a certain rate (current)
3. When electrons come to a resistor (electrical device) they use energy (potential difference) to
overcome resistance – that is, they do work.
4. Electrons then return to power pack for more energy.

C. Series Circuits:
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You now know that in a series circuit, there is only one path for the current. Cheap Christmas tree lights
are a good example of this type of circuit and this type of circuit will not work if one of the parts (e.g. a
globe) is broken as the path for the electrons to flow is broken. Remember that the globes resist the flow
of electrons and cause electrons to bunch up (potential difference) so as more globes (resistors) are added,
they all get dimmer and dimmer. This also results in less current flowing through the circuit (rate of flow
of electrons) as there is more resistance as each globe is added to the circuit so harder for electrons to get
around circuit.

D. Parallel Circuits
In a parallel circuit there is more than one path for the electrons to flow so if one part of the circuit is
broken e.g. by a blown globe, the rest of the globes will stay on as the electrons still have a path to flow
through. The sum of the currents in the different parts of a parallel circuit is equal to the total current of
the circuit. The electrons carry the energy (potential difference) from the power pack and are able to go
down different paths and light all the globes to the same brightness (each gets the same amount of current
flow) as long as the globes have the same resistance. To keep globes at the same brightness, it means that
more electrons are needed so the current required increases (increased flow to carry more energy) as more
globes are added in parallel. This is also due to the decrease in resistance as more paths mean more
electrons to flow.

Mathematical Relationships in Circuits

Simple Circuits: Ohm’s Law = V = IR
Series Circuits: Total Current = IT = I1 = I2 = I3 = … = In
Total Potential Difference = VT = V1 + V2 + V3 + … + Vn
Total Resistance = RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + … + Rn
Parallel Circuits: Total Current = IT = I1 + I2 + I3 + … + In
Total Potential Difference = VT = V1 = V2 = V3 = … = Vn
1 1 1 1 1
Total Resistance =     ... 
R T R1 R 2 R 3 Rn

RT = (R1-1 + R2-1 + R3-1)-1

Mathematics of Circuits:
Your teacher will work through the following problems with you to demonstrate how to solve the
mathematics of circuits.

SIMPLE CIRCUIT:
1. A 50.0  resistor is placed in a simple circuit with a 12.0 V potential difference. What is the current in
the circuit?
V
I
R
12
I
50
I = 0.24 A
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SERIES CIRCUITS:
2. Another 50.0  resistor is added into the circuit above. What is the current now?
We know that current is the same in a series circuit so

1. Find RT 2. Find IT
V 12
RT = 50 + 50 IT  T 
R T 100
= 100  IT = 0.12 A

3. Calculate the potential difference for each resistor.

We know that current is the same in the series circuit and that
the total potential difference for the SAME resistor values is
the sum of the potential differences for each resistor.
From above, IT = 0.12 A

For V1: V = IR
= 0.12 x 50
= 6.0 V and V1 = V2 = 6.0 V

Check: V1 + V2 = VT 6 + 6 = 12
.

4. A 50.0  resistor is placed in series with a 1.00 x 102  resistor with a 12.0 V potential difference.

a. Find the current in the circuit.

1. Find total resistance

We know that the total resistance for series sections is the sum of the individual
resistors.
RT = R1 + R2
RT = 50.0 + 100
RT = 150 
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2. Find total current

VT = IT x RT
VT 12.0
IT = 
RT 150
IT = 0.0800 A

b. Find the potential difference for each resistor.

V50 = IR50
V50 = 0.0800 x 50.0
V50 = 4.00 V

V100 = IR100
V100 = 0.0800 x 100
V100 = 8.00 V

Check VT = V50 + V100

12 = 4 + 8 

PARALLEL CIRCUITS
1 1 1
NOTE: I have always used RT = (R1-1 + R2-1)-1 instead of   but you may prefer to teach
R T R1 R 2
your students using the more traditional formula depending on their mathematics skills. I initially
show them both but after a short while, my students find it easier to use the first format.

5. Two 50.0  resistors are placed in parallel. Find the current in each branch.

This is a simple problem but good to develop students skills in solving circuits.

Method 1 Method 2

While not needed in this problem, it is good to Only a parallel section and we know that the
get students used to finding total resistance PD across the parallel section will therefore be
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and total current. the same as the total PD.

Find RT Equal resistors so same amount of current in

each branch and half of total current.
RT = (50-1 + 50-1)-1
= 25  V = 12 V
R1 = 50
Find IT
V 12
I 
V 12 R 50
I   0.48 A
R 25 I = 0.24 A in R1 and as
R1 = R2 ,
As half the current through each branch, 0.24 Both are 0.24 A
A for each resistor.

OR

IT = I1 + I2
0.48 = 0.24 + I2
I2 = 0.48 – 0.24
= 0.24 A

6. 50.0  and a 100  resistor are placed in parallel. Find the current in each branch.

1. Know the PD in each branch is 12 V as VT = V1 + V2

2. Find RT RT = (50-1 + 100-1)-1

= 33.33 

VT 12
3. Find IT IT = 
RT 33.33
IT = 0.36 A

V1 12
4. Find I1 for 50 resistor I1 = 
R 1 50
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Know V1 = 12 V I1 = 0.24 A
R1 = 50 

5. Find I2 for 100  resistor

Method 1: Calculation Method 2: Using formula Method 3: Proportion (ratio)

V2 12 IT = I1 + I2 Know that the lower the resistance,

V2 = 12 V I2  
R 2 100 0.36 = 0.24 + I2 the higher the current. As R2 twice
I2 = 0.36 – 0.24 as large as R1, it takes half the
R2 = 100  I2 = 0.12 A
= 0.12 A current of R1.

I1 has  of current in parallel section

=  x 0.36
= 0.24A

I2 has  of current in parallel section

=  x 0.36
= 0.12 A

COMPLEX CIRCUITS

7. Look at the circuit below then find the values on the meter shown.

ANSWER:
RT = 83.3 
I1 = 0.096 A
I2 = 0.048 A
I3 = I4 = 0.144 A
V1 = V2 = 4.80 V
V3 = 7.20 V

1. Find RT
Resistance parallel section: (50-1 + 100-1)-1 = 33.33 
Series section = 50.00 
RT = 83.33 
2. Find IT
VT 12
IT = 
R T 83.33
IT = 0.144 A

3. Now A3 is in series with A4 so therefore carries the same current = 0.144 A

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4. Find V3
IT = 0.144 A V3 = IT x R50
R50 = 50  = 0.144 x 50
V3 = 7.20 V

5. Find V1 and V2
Now across a parallel section, the potential difference is the same so V1 = V2
Also, VT = V parallel section + V3
12 = V parallel section + 7.20
V parallel section = 12 – 7.20
= 4.80 V Therefore, V1 = V2 = 4.80 V
6. Find I1
V1 4.80
V1 = 4.80 V I1 = 
R 50 50
R50 = 50  I1 = 0.096 A

7. I2 can be found following the same method as (6) above or using IT = I1 + I2

4.8
I2 =  0.048 A OR I2 = 0.144 – 0.096 = 0.048 A
100

Some More Circuit Problems for you to do yourself

1. Find the readings on the two metres. (answer: V = 1.41V, A = 0.0706A)

RT = 50 + 20 + 100 = 170 

12
IT = = 0.0706 A
170
V = IT x 20
= 0.0706 x 20 = 1.41 V

Therefore: V = 1.41 V
I = 0.0706 A

2. Find the readings on the two metres. (answer: A = 0.6A, V = 12V)

RT = (20-1 + 20-1 + 20-1)-1 = 6.667 

12
IT = = 1.80 A
6.667
VT 12 I
I=  = 0.6 A OR I = T = 0.60 A as equal I
R 20 20 3
Therefore A = 0.60 A
V = 12 V
3. What is the value of R when A is 0.04A? (answer: R = 150 )

VT 12
RT =  = 300 
IT 0.04
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RT = R1 + R2 + R3
300 = R + 50 + 100
R = 300 – 150
R = 150 

4. Find the readings on the metres. (Answer: V = 2.4V, A = 0.096A)

Rp = (50-1 + 50-1)-1 = 25 

RT = Rs + Rp + Rs
= 50 + 25 + 50
= 125 
12 = 0.096 A Therefore: V = 2.4 V
IT 
125
V = Rp x IT A = .0960 A
= 25 x 0.096
= 2.4 V

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Mains supply presents a potential hazard to life, since a relatively small current passing through the human
body can be deadly. Anyone using electricity should be aware of the dangers associated with it and
electrical installations should only be carried out by qualified electricians. People are injured or die every
year because of carelessness, negligence or sheer bad luck. With care and common sense, many of these
unfortunate incidents could be avoided.
Fuses and Circuit-Breakers
Faults in electrical circuits can cause short circuits causing large amounts of current to flow and produce
overheating and possibly a fire. To guard against this, fuses (thin wires) are wired in series with the active
wire. If an excessive current flows the fuse melts and disconnects the active wire. Once the fault is
rectified, a new fuse is connected and the current can again flow.