Electricity with electrons flowing in only one direction is called Direct Current
Electricity with electrons flowing back and forth, negative - positive- negative, is called Alternating Current, or AC
Generation of Electricity
Voltage
The electrical push which the cell gives to the electrons is called the voltage
Measurement of Voltage
It is measured in volts (V) by a voltmeter
Current
An electric current is a flow of microscopic particles called
Measurement of Current
Electric current is measured in amps (A) using an Ammeter connected in series in the circuit.
Resistance
Resistance is the property of material by virtue of which it opposes the flow of Electrons i.e. current
Resistance
(a) Conductors
(b) semiconductors
(c) insulators
Resistance depends on
Temperature Length Cross-sectional area Type of Material
The resistance of a metallic conductor increases as the temperature increases e.g. copper The resistance of a semiconductor/insulator decreases as the temperature increases e.g. thermistor.
l
1 A
Resistance of a uniform conductor is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. i.e. R w 1/A
Simple circuits
Here is a simple electric circuit. It has a cell, a lamp and a switch.
cell
wires
switch
lamp
To make the circuit, these components are connected together with metal connecting wires.
Circuit diagram
Scientists usually draw electric circuits using symbols;
cell
lamp
switch
wires
Simple circuits
When the switch is closed, the lamp lights up. This is because there is a continuous path of metal for the electric current to flow around.
If there were any breaks in the circuit, the current could not flow.
Circuit diagrams
In circuit diagrams components are represented by the following symbols;
cell
battery
switch
lamp
buzzer
ammeter
voltmeter
motor
resistor
variable resistor
Ohms Law
I V + _
unknown resistive element
Assume that the wires are perfect conductors and Physical conditions remaining constant. The unknown circuit element limits the flow of current.
Ohms Law
A simple relationship exists between voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits. Understanding this relationship is important for fast, accurate electrical problem diagnosis and repair.
Current
When R is Constant
E IE R
Voltage
The current in a circuit is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the amount of resistance. This means that if the voltage goes up, the current flow will go up, and vice versa. Also, as the resistance goes up, the current goes down, and vice versa.
E I= R E R= I
Power
Power = Voltage X Current
P ! VxI Watt
VxV P! ! R R 2 V
2R P ! IxRxI ! I
Given that
l ! . 73 x 0 i) R ! V A
00 x 0 2 6 ! . 73 ; x 2 x 0
ii ) R ! 1 . 73 x 10
6
200 x 10 ! 0 . 00 384 ; x 25
2) Calculate the Resistance of 100m length of wire having uniform crosssectional area of 0.01 mm2 and having resistivity of 50 -cm. If the wire is drawn three times its original length, calculate the resistance.
Given: = 50 -cm = 50 x 10-6 -cm l = 100 m = 100 x 102 cm, area= a = 0.01 mm2 = 0.01 x 10-2 cm2
6
R ! 50 x10
New length l= 3 x l,
Since the volume remains same After drawing, a = a/3 volume = c/s area x length = a x l = a x l = a x 3 x l l = 3 x l = 100 x 102 x 3 = 300 x 102 cm
Rnew
Simple circuits
When the switch is closed, the lamp lights up. This is because there is a continuous path of metal for the electric current to flow around.
If there were any breaks in the circuit, the current could not flow.
SERIES CIRCUITS
The components are connected end-to-end, one after the other. They make a simple loop for the current to flow round. If one bulb blows it breaks the whole circuit and all the bulbs go out.
PARALLEL CIRCUITS
The components are connected side by side. The current has a choice of routes. If one bulb blows there is still be a complete circuit to the other bulb so it stays alight.
Measuring current
This is how we connect an ammeter in a circuit.
SERIES CIRCUIT
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Measuring current
SERIES CIRCUIT current is the same at all points in the circuit.
2A 2A 2A
Measuring voltage
This is how we connect a voltmeter in a circuit.
V
SERIES CIRCUIT
V
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Measuring voltage
V V V
Measuring voltage
This is how we connect a voltmeter in a circuit.
V
SERIES CIRCUIT
V
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Series circuit
voltage is shared between the components
3V
1.5V
1.5V
Parallel circuit
voltage is the same in all parts of the circuit.
3V 3V
3V
complete the missing current and voltage readings. remember the rules for current and voltage in series and parallel circuits.
V A
V A
Answers
a)
6V 4A 3V 3V 4A 2A
b)
6V 4A 6V 4A
4A
6V 2A
Q.1 Which of the two cases shown has the smaller equivalent resistance between points a and b? 1. Case #1 2. Case #2 3. the equivalent resistance is the same in both cases 4. answer depends on the values of the individual resistances R1, R2, and R3
A.1 Which of the two cases shown has the smaller equivalent resistance between points a and b? 1. Case #1 2. Case #2 3. the equivalent resistance is the same in both cases 4. answer depends on the values of the individual resistances R1, R2, and R3
Q.2 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in series as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop?
1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop
A.2 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in series as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop?
1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop
Q.3 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in parallel as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop? 1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop
A.3 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in parallel as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop? 1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop
Q.4 Three identical light bulbs are connected to a source of emf as shown. Which bulb is brightest? 1. light bulb A 2. light bulb B 3. light bulb C 4. both light bulbs B and C (both are equally bright and are brighter than light bulb A) 5. all bulbs are equally bright
A.4 Three identical light bulbs are connected to a source of emf as shown. Which bulb is brightest? 1. light bulb A 2. light bulb B 3. light bulb C 4. both light bulbs B and C (both are equally bright and are brighter than light bulb A) 5. all bulbs are equally bright
Q.5 You wish to study a resistor in a circuit. To simultaneously measure the current in the resistor and the voltage across the resistor, you would place 1. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in series 2. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in parallel 3. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in series 4. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in parallel
A.5 You wish to study a resistor in a circuit. To simultaneously measure the current in the resistor and the voltage across the resistor, you would place 1. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in series 2. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in parallel 3. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in series 4. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in parallel
Problem-Solving Strategy
A complicated circuit consisting of several resistors and batteries can often be reduced to a simple circuit with only one resistor Replace resistors in series or in parallel with a single resistor Sketch the new circuit after these changes have been made Continue to replace any series or parallel combinations Continue until one equivalent resistance is found
Problem-Solving Strategy
If the current in or the potential difference across a resistor in the complicated circuit is to be identified, start with the final circuit and gradually work back through the circuits (use formula V = I R and the procedures describe above)
What is the potential difference between Points A and B? Also find current through 5.0 ohm resistance.
1 / RAB = 1/3 + 1/6 RAB = 2 ohm Total: 6 ohm I = 12 V / 6 ohm = 2A VAB = (2 A) (2 ohm ) =4V I5 = 4 V / (5+1)ohm = 2 / 3 = 0.66 A
I=0.428 Amp