Electricity (Physics) Notes
1. Introduction to Electricity
Electricity is the study of electric charges and their movement. It is a form
of energy produced by the movement or presence of charged particles,
especially electrons.
There are two types of electricity:
1. Static electricity – charges are at rest.
2. Current electricity – charges flow through a conductor.
2. Electric Charge
Electric charge is a property of matter responsible for electrical effects.
Types of charges:
Positive Charge (+)
Due to loss of electrons
Found on protons
Negative Charge (-)
Due to gain of electrons
Found on electrons
Properties of Charges
Like charges repel each other.
Unlike charges attract each other.
Charge is conserved.
Unit of charge:
Coulomb (C)
3. Electric Current
Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.
Formula:
Q
I=
t
Where:
I = Current (Ampere, A)
Q = Charge (Coulomb, C)
t = Time (second, s)
Q
I=
t
4 packets/s × 1 C/packet = 4 A
Packets per second
Packets per second
Charge in each packet
Charge in each packet
++++++++I
Cross-section
Conventional Current
Flows from positive terminal to negative terminal.
Electron flow is opposite to conventional current.
4. Electric Circuit
An electric circuit is a closed path through which electric current flows.
Main components:
Cell or battery
Wires
Switch
Electrical devices (bulb, resistor)
Open Circuit
Path is broken
No current flows
Closed Circuit
Complete path
Current flows
5. Potential Difference (Voltage)
Potential difference is the work done to move a unit charge from one point to
another.
Formula:
W
V=
Q
Where:
V = Voltage (Volt)
W = Work done (Joule)
Q = Charge (Coulomb)
Unit:
Volt (V)
6. Resistance
Resistance is the opposition offered by a conductor to the flow of current.
Symbol:
R
Unit:
Ω (Ohm)
Factors affecting resistance:
1. Length of conductor
Longer wire → higher resistance
2. Area of cross-section
Thicker wire → lower resistance
3. Material
Different materials have different resistance
4. Temperature
Resistance usually increases with temperature
ρL
R=
A
ρL 0.8 ×3
R= = =1.2 Ω
A 2
L
m
L
mm²
A
Ω mm²/m
ρ
LAR = 1.2 Ωρ = 0.8 Ω mm²/m
7. Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s law states:
The current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to
the potential difference across its ends, provided temperature
remains constant.
Formula:
V =IR
or
V
I=
R
Where:
V = Voltage
I = Current
R = Resistance
V
I=
R
12.0 V
I= =2.00 A
6.0 Ω
Vs
V
Vs
Ω
R
Vs = 12.0 V+-R = 6.0 ΩI = 2.00 A
8. Combination of Resistors
A. Resistors in Series
In series connection:
Same current flows through all resistors.
Total resistance increases.
Formula:
Rtotal=R 1+ R 2+ R 3
R total=R1 + R 2+ …
RT =8+8+ 8=24 Ω
R1
Ω
R1
R2
Ω
R2
R3
Ω
R3
V
V
+−R1 = 8 ΩV1 = 4 VR2 = 8 ΩV2 = 4 VR3 = 8 ΩV3 = 4 VV = 12 VI = 0.5 A
B. Resistors in Parallel
In parallel connection:
Same voltage across each resistor.
Current divides among branches.
Formula:
1 1 1 1
= + +
R total R1 R 2 R 3
1 1 1 1
= + +
R T R1 R2 R3
1 1 1 1
= + + ⇒ R T =2.67 Ω
RT 8 8 8
V 12
I T= = =4.5 A
RT 2.67
R1
Ω
R1
R2
Ω
R2
R3
Ω
R3
V
V
+−R1 = 8 ΩI1 = 1.5 AR2 = 8 ΩI2 = 1.5 AR3 = 8 ΩI3 = 1.5 AI_T = 4.5 AV =
12 V
9. Electrical Energy
Electrical energy is the energy used when electric charges flow through a
circuit.
Formula:
E=VIt
Where:
E = Energy (Joule)
V = Voltage
I = Current
t = Time
10. Electric Power
Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is consumed.
Formula:
E
P=
t
Also:
P=VI
Where:
P = Power (Watt)
V = Voltage
I = Current
Unit:
Watt (W)
P=VI
P=VI =( 12 V ) ( 2 A )=24 W
V
V
Ω
R
+−I = 2 AVR+−12 V
11. Heating Effect of Electric Current
When current passes through a resistor, electrical energy changes into heat
energy.
Joule’s law of heating:
2
H=I Rt
Where:
H = Heat produced
I = Current
R = Resistance
t = Time
Applications:
Electric heater
Iron
Toaster
Electric kettle
12. Electrical Safety
Safety devices:
Fuse
Protects circuits from excessive current.
Melts when current is too high.
Circuit Breaker
Automatically switches off the circuit during faults.
Earthing
Prevents electric shocks by providing a safe path for current.
13. Important Formulas
Formul
Quantity Unit
a
Q Amper
Current I=
t e
Formul
Quantity Unit
a
W
Voltage V= Volt
Q
Ohm’s
V =IR —
Law
Power P=VI Watt
Energy E=VIt Joule
2
Heat H=I Rt Joule
Quick Revision Points
Electricity is related to electric charges and their movement.
Current is the flow of charge.
Voltage pushes charges through a circuit.
Resistance opposes current flow.
Ohm’s law connects voltage, current, and resistance.
Series circuits have one path; parallel circuits have multiple paths.
Electrical energy can be converted into heat, light, and mechanical
energy.