Understanding Electricity in Physics
Understanding Electricity in Physics
(Physics)
Chapter 3: Electricity
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
Electricity
Electric Current
● Electric current is expressed as the amount of charge flowing through a particular area
in unit time.
● Quantitatively, electric current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge.
𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 (𝑄𝑄)
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶, 𝐼𝐼 =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 (𝑡𝑡)
● The S.I. unit of current is ampere (A), where 1 ampere = 1 coulomb/second.
● 1 mA = 10−3 A, 1 μ A = 10−6 A
● The conventional direction of electric current is the one in which positive charges move
orderly.
● An instrument called ammeter measures electric current in a circuit. It is always
connected in series in a circuit through which the current is to be measured.
Electric circuit and circuit diagram
The electric circuits are closed loop or path which forms a network of electrical
components, where electrons are able to flow. This path is made using electrical wires and
is powered by a source, like a battery. The start of the point from where the electrons start
flowing is called the source whereas the point where electrons leave the electrical circuit is
called the return. Representation of an electric circuit through symbols is called a circuit
diagram.
A schematic diagram of an electric circuit comprising – cell, electric bulb, ammeter and plug key
Example: A current of 1A is drawn by a filament of an electric bulb for 20 minutes. Find the
amount of electric charge that flows through the circuit.
Ans:
The given data is,
I = 1A and
t = 20 minutes
t = 20 × 60
t = 1200 seconds
Therefore,
𝑄𝑄
𝐼𝐼 =
𝑡𝑡
Electric charge is q = It
q = 1 × 1200
q = 1200 C
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
Coulomb’s Law
According to Coulomb’s law, the force of attraction or repulsion between two charged
bodies is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to
the square of the distance between them. It acts along the line joining the two charges
𝑞𝑞 𝑞𝑞
considered to be point charges. 𝐹𝐹 ∝ 1 22
𝑑𝑑
Electric Potential
Electric potential is the work done per unit charge in bringing the charge from infinity to
that point against electrostatic force. In a conductor, electrons flow only when there is a
difference in electric pressure at its ends. This is also called potential difference.
Electric Potential Different
● Electric potential difference (pd) between two points in an electric circuit, carrying some
current, is the amount of work done to move a unit charge from one point to another.
𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 (𝑊𝑊)
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 (𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝) =
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑄𝑄)
1 𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗
● The S.I. unit of pd is volt (V), where 1 volt =
1𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
Example: How much work is done in moving a charge of 2 C across two points having a
potential difference 12 V?
Ans:
The amount of charge Q, that flows between two points at potential difference V (= 12
V) is 2 C. Thus, the amount of work W, done in moving the charge [from Eq. (12.2)] is
W = VQ
= 12 V × 2 C
= 24 J.
Electric Circuit
● A continuous conducting path between the terminals of a source of electricity is called
an electric circuit.
● A drawing showing the way various electric devices are connected in a circuit is called a
circuit diagram.
● Some commonly used circuit elements are given below:
Sr. No. Element Symbol
1 An electric cell
2 A battery
5 A wire joint
7 Bulb
8 Resistor
10 Ammeter
11 Voltmeter
Ohm’s law
● According to Ohm’s law, the current (I) flowing through a conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference (V) across its ends, provided its physical
conditions remain the same.
V∝I
𝑽𝑽
= 𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪
𝒍𝒍
𝑉𝑉
= 𝑅𝑅
𝑙𝑙
V = IR
where R is a constant of proportionality called resistance of the conductor.
● Resistance is the property of a conductor to resist the flow of charges through it.
● The S.I. unit of resistance is ohm ( Ω ).
𝑉𝑉 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
From 𝑅𝑅 ∝ 1 ohm = 1
𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
Potential difference across the two points of a metallic conductor is directly proportional to
current passing through the circuit provided that temperature remains constant.
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
V–I graph for a nichrome wire. A straight line plot shows that as the current through a wire increases, the potential
difference across the wire increases linearly – this is Ohm’s law.
Resistances in Parallel
● The potential difference across each resistance is the same and is equal to the potential
difference across the combination.
● The main current divides itself, and a different current flows through each resistance.
● The equivalent resistance (Rp) of a parallel combination containing resistances R1, R2,
1 1 1 1 1
R3... is given by = + + + … =
𝑅𝑅𝜌𝜌 𝑅𝑅1 𝑅𝑅2 𝑅𝑅3 𝑅𝑅4
● The equivalent resistance is lesser than the least of all the resistances in the combination.
⮚ Short Questions:
1. Define electric current. State and define its SI unit.
2. List two differences between a voltmeter and ammeter.
3. What is an electric circuit? Distinguish between an open and a closed circuit.
4. What do the following symbols represent in a circuit? Write the name and one
function of each.
5. What do the following symbols represent in a circuit? Write the name and one
function of each?
⮚ Long Questions:
1. State Ohm’s law. How can this law be verified experimentally? Does Ohm’s law
hold good under all conditions?
2. How will you infer with the help of an experiment that same voltage or potential
difference exists across three resistors connected in parallel arrangement to a
battery?
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
⮚ Assertion Reason Questions:
1. For two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason
(R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) as
given below:
a. Both A and R are true, and R is correct explanation of the assertion.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. A is false, but R is true.
Assertion: A current carrying wire should be charged.
Reason: The current in a wire is due to flow of free electrons in a definite direction.
2. For two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason
(R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) as
given below:
a. Both A and R are true, and R is correct explanation of the assertion.
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
c. A is true, but R is false.
d. A is false, but R is true.
Assertion: Good conductors of heat are also good conductors of electricity and vice versa.
Reason: Mainly electrons are responsible for conduction.
2. Read the following and answer any four questions from (i) to (v).
The electrical energy consumed by an electrical appliance is given by the product
of its power rating and the time for which it is used. The SI unit of electrical
energy is Joule. Actually, Joule represents a very small quantity of energy, and
therefore it is inconvenient to use where a large quantity of energy is involved.
So, for commercial purposes we use a bigger unit of electrical energy which is
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
called kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt-hour is equal to 3.6 × 106 joules of electrical
energy.
i. The energy dissipated by the heater is E. When the time of operating the heater is
doubled, the energy dissipated is:
a. Doubled
b. Half
c. Remains same
d. Four times
ii. The power of a lamp is 60W. The energy consumed in 1 minute is:
a. 360J
b. 36J
c. 3600J
d. 3.6J
iii. The electrical refrigerator rated 400W operates 8 hours a day. The cost of
electrical energy is ₹ 5 per kWh. Find the cost of running the refrigerator for one
day?
a. ₹ 32
b. ₹ 16
c. ₹ 8
d. ₹ 4
iv. Calculate the energy transformed by a 5A current flowing through a resistor
of 2Ω for 30 minutes?
a. 90kJ
b. 80kJ
c. 60kJ
d. 40kJ
✔ Answer Key-
⮚ Multiple Choice Answers:
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
1. (a)
2. (a) volt ampere
3. (d) nature of the material
4. (d) the same in all the cases
5. (b) volt
6. (b) energy
7. (d) 3.6 MJ
8. (b) conductors
9. (d) the direction of flow of positive charge
10. (c) ohm-meter
⮚ Short Answers:
1. Answer: Electric current is defined as the amount of charge flowing through a
cross-section of a conductor in unit time.
7. Answer: Resistance of a factor depends on its length (l) and area of cross section
(A).
8. Answer: When current passes through a conductor for a longer time, the
conductor is heated due to Joule’s heating effect. Resistance of conductor
increases with increase in temperature due to heating effect.
⮚ Long Answers:
1. Answer:
For Ohm’s law: Ohm’s law states that the electric current flowing through a
conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across the ends of
the conductor, provided the temperature and . other physical conditions of the
conductor remain the same.
For experimental verification: Verify Ohm’s law
Apparatus: A conductor of resistance R, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a battery, a
variable resistance (or rheostat used to change the current in the circuit),
connecting wires, a key and sand paper.
Procedure:
● Connect the various components as shown in figure 12.
PHYSICS ELECTRICITY
Plot a graph between V and I by taking V along X-axis and I along Y-axis. We get a
straight line passing through origin as shown in figure 11.
1.
2. i (a) Doubled
Explanation:
E = I2Rt = 5 × 5 × 2 × 30 × 60
E = 90000J = 90kJ
v. (a) 1 watt hour = 3600J
Explanation:
1 watt hr = 3600J.
As per Joule’s heating effect, when current passes through a conductor, it generates heat due to the resistance of the conductor. The temperature of the conductor increases as a result, which in turn increases its resistance. This is because increased thermal agitation at the atomic level impedes the flow of electrons, thereby raising resistance. This principle is significant for materials science and engineering, affecting the selection of conductive materials and design of electrical systems to ensure efficiency and safety under varying thermal conditions .
A variable resistor, or rheostat, allows for the control of current within a circuit by altering the resistance. By increasing resistance, it reduces the current flow according to Ohm's Law (V = IR), whereas decreasing resistance allows more current to flow. This capability is vital for circuits requiring precise control of current for tasks such as dimming lights or regulating power input to electronics. The rheostat thus serves as a crucial component for managing power and energy efficiency in various electronic applications .
The configuration of connecting wires in an electric circuit affects both the physical layout and functionality. Wires that are properly connected ensure efficient current flow and voltage distribution, while improperly configured wires may lead to short circuits, open circuits, or electrical noise issues. Additionally, the arrangement impacts the resistance encountered by the current, influencing the overall performance and energy efficiency of the circuit. Proper design and connection strategies are thus essential for reliable circuit operation and are a critical aspect of circuit schematics and assembly .
For resistors connected in parallel to have the same potential difference across each, they must share a common connection between their terminals, meaning both their starting and ending points are connected to common nodes in the circuit. This ensures that all resistors are exposed to the same potential difference as the voltage source. This arrangement is crucial for circuits requiring consistent voltage distribution across multiple components, which is fundamental in designing reliable and efficient electrical systems .
To verify Ohm's Law experimentally, the setup includes a conductor of known resistance R, an ammeter to measure current, a voltmeter to measure potential difference, a variable resistor (rheostat), a battery, connecting wires, and a switch. The process involves connecting these components in series and gradually altering the rheostat to change the current through the circuit. The potential difference and corresponding current readings are taken multiple times, plotting these values to establish that the voltage (V) is directly proportional to the current (I), resulting in a straight-line graph passing through the origin. This verifies Ohm's Law mathematically expressed as V = IR. It's crucial to ensure temperature stability to prevent resistance change in the conductor .
Coulomb's Law has extensive implications for technology, particularly in the design and functioning of capacitors, electrostatic sensors, and electric field manipulation devices. By understanding the force interactions between charges, engineers can design systems that carefully manage these forces to store energy, sense changes in electric fields, or create controlled environments for operations such as printing and particle filtering. Moreover, advancements in miniaturization of electronic components rely heavily on managing electrostatic interactions, as described by Coulomb's Law, to maintain performance and reduce interference in compact circuits .
Electric potential is defined as the work done per unit charge in moving a charge from infinity to a point within an electric field. It provides a measure of the potential energy per charge at a point and is directly related to the work needed to position charges in an electric field. The potential difference between two points is thus the work done in moving a unit charge between these points. This relationship is crucial for understanding the flow of charges and energy within electric fields, as well as for analyzing circuit components and energy distribution in electrical systems .
Coulomb's Law is significant because it quantitatively describes the electric force between two point charges. It states that this force is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This allows for predictions regarding the strength and direction of the force, and it is crucial in calculating electric fields and potentials, essential for understanding electrostatic interactions and designing electric circuits .
Electric current is quantified as the amount of electric charge flowing through a particular area in unit time. This can be represented mathematically by the equation I = Q/t, where I is the current in amperes, Q is the charge in coulombs, and t is the time in seconds. This relationship helps in calculating the current in various circuit configurations and understanding the flow of electricity through conductors .
Electric potential difference, or voltage, across an appliance influences the amount of electrical energy consumed, as electrical power is the product of voltage and current (P = VI). The energy consumed is given by the product of power and time (E = Pt), reflecting how a higher potential difference can result in higher energy consumption if current remains constant. This knowledge is vital for understanding energy efficiency and cost in household appliances, as it directly impacts their operational expenses and optimal usage strategies .