ELECTRICITY Chapter 12
Conductors: are those materials in which electrons are free to move
anywhere inside the matter like, aluminium, copper etc. All metals are
conductors.
Insulators: are those materials in which electrons are not free to move
anywhere like, plastic, wood etc.
Electric Charge : Electric charge is a physical quantity due to which a
force is created on matter .it is of two type Positive and negative An
electric charge is always is a scalar quantities. S.I. unit of electric charge
is coulomb (C).
1 coulomb = 1 ampere × 1 second.
1C = 1A × 1s
Thus, the quantity of charge which flows through a circuit when one
ampere of current flows through it in one second is known as a 1-coulomb
charge.
One coulomb is nearly equal to 6 × 1018 electrons.
Positive and Negative Charge: The charge acquired by a glass
rod when rubbed with silk is called a positive charge and the charge
acquired by an ebonite rod when rubbed with wool is called
negative charge.
Properties of Electric Charge: (i) Unlike charges attract each
other and like charges repel each other.
(ii) [Link] between two charges varies directly as the product of
two charges and inversely as the square of the distance (r) between
both charges (q1 and q2).
(iii) charge is a scalar quantities.
Additive property : The charge follow algebraic sum for their
addition. For example 5C, 7C, -10C, -1C
5C + 7C + (-10C) + (-1C) = 1C
Quantisation of charge : The charge is quantized. i.e q = ± ne
where n is an integer and e is the charge on electron = 1.6 × 10−19 C
Electric Current: The flow of electric charge is known as Electric
Current, Electric current is carried by moving electrons through a
conductor.
By convention, electric current flows in the opposite direction to the
movement of electrons.
OR
Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge in a
conductor per unit time. I = Q/t. S.I unit of electric current is
Ampere. This unit is named in the honour of the scientist Andre-
Maria –Ampere
If a net electric charge (Q) flows through a cross-section of a
conductor in time t, then,
Where I is electric current, Q is a net charge and t is a time in
second.
One coulomb is nearly equal to 6 × 1018 electrons. S.I. unit of
electric current is ampere (A). Ampere is the flow of electric charge
through a surface at the rate of one coulomb per second. This
means, if 1 coulomb of electric charge flows through a cross section
for 1 second, it would be equal to 1 ampere.
Therefore, 1 A = 1 C/1 s
Q.) A current of 150 milli ampere flow in the circuit in 2
minutes. Calculate the amount of charge that flow through the
circuit?
Q) The filament of electric bulb draws a current of 0.4 Ampere
. Calculate the amount of charge that flow to the filament if
the bulb glow for 2 hours ? also calculate the number of
electron passed?
Electric Potential: It is defined as the work done in carring a unit
positive charge from one point to another in a conductor. It is
denoted by V.
Electric potential = Work done/Charge
w
V= , S.I unit of electric potential is
Q
Volt
Potential Difference: The difference in the amount of electric potential
energy between two points in an electric circuit is called electric potential
difference.
Electric potential difference is known as voltage, which is equal to the
amount of work done to move the unit charge between two points against
static electric field.
Therefore, Voltage = Workdone/Charge
Voltage or electric potential difference is denoted by V’. Therefore, V
= W/Q
Where, W = Work done and Q = Charge
S.I. Unit of Electric Potential Difference (Voltage)
S.I. unit of electric potential difference is volt and denoted by ‘V’ This is
named in honour of Italian Physicist Alessandro Volta.
Since joule is the unit of work and Coulomb is the unit of charge, 1 volt of
electric potential difference is equal to the 1 joule of work to be done to
move a charge of 1 coulomb from one point to another in an electric
circuit. Therefore
1V = 1Joule/1Coulomb = 1J/1C
1V = 1JC-1
Ammeter: An apparatus to measure electric current in a circuit.,
Voltmeter: An apparatus to measure the potential difference or electric
potential difference between two points in an electric circuit.
Q) Calculate the work done in moving a charge of 2 Coulomb through a
potential difference of 5 volt?
Electric Circuit: Electric circuit is a continuous and closed path of electric
current. Electric circuit is of two types. (i) Open Circuit (ii) Closed Circuit
Open Circuit : When the key is open then the electric current does not
flow through the circuit is called as open circuit.
Closed Circuit : When the key is closed then current starts flowing
through the circuit such a circuit is called a closed circuit.
Ohm’s Law: Ohm’s Law states that the potential difference between two
points is directly proportional to the electric current, at a constant
temperature.
V∝I
This means potential difference V varies as electric current.
V = RI
I = VR
R = VI
Where, R is constant for the given conductor at a given temperature and
is called resistance.
From the expression of Ohm’s Law, it is obvious that electric current
through a resistor is inversely proportional to resistance. This means
electric current will decrease with an increase in resistance and vice
versa. The graph of V (potential difference) versus I (electric
current) is always a straight line.
NOTE : The slope of the V-I graph give the value of resistance R.
Resistance: Resistance is a property of conductor due to which it resists
the flow of electric current through it. A component that is used to resist
the flow of electric current in a circuit is called a resistor.
In practical application, resistors are used to increase or decrease the
electric current. Its S.I unit is ohm (Ω)
According to Ohm’s law V = IR and R = V/I
Definition of 1 Ohm: 1 ohm (Q) of resistance (R) is equal to the flow of
1A of current through a conductor between two points having a potential
difference equal to 1V.
This means; 1Ω = 1V/1A
Factors on Which Resistance of a Conductor Depends:: Resistance
in a conductor depends on nature, length and area of cross section of the
conductor.
(i) Nature of Material: Some materials create least hindrance and
hence, are called good conductors. Silver is the best conductor of
electricity. While some other materials create more hindrance in the flow
of electric current, i.e. flow of electrons through them. Such materials are
called bad conductors. Bad conductor are also known as insulators. Hard
plastic is the one of the best insulators of electricity.
(ii) Length of Conductor: Resistance (R) is directly proportional to the
length of the conductor. This means, resistance increases with increase in
length of the conductor. This is the cause that long electric wires create
more resistance to the electric current. Thus, Resistance (R) ∝ length of
conductor (l)
or, R ∝ l …(i)
(iii) Area of Cross Section: Resistance R is inversely proportional to the
area of cross section (A) of the conductor. This means R will decrease with
an increase in the area of conductor and vice versa. More area of
conductor facilitates the flow of electric current through more area and
thus, decreases the resistance. This is the cause that thick copper wire
creates less resistance to the electric current.
Thus, resistance (R) ∝ 1/Area of cross section of conductor (A)
or, R ∝ lA ….(ii)
From equations (i) and (ii)
R ∝ lA
R = ρ lA
Where, ρ (rho) is the proportionality constant. It is called the electrical
resistivity of the material of conductor.
From equation (iii) RA = ρl ⇒ ρ = RAl ..(iv)
The S.I. of Resistivity: Since, the S.I. unit of R is Q, S.I. unit of area is
m2 and S.I. unit of length is m. Hence, unit of resistivity (ρ) = Ω×m2/m =
Ωm
Thus, S.I. unit of resistivity (ρ) is Ωm.
Resistivity: It is defined as the resistance of the conduction of unit length
and unit area of cross – section.
Numerical:
Q) Potential difference between the terminal of electric heater is 60 V and
it draws a current of 4 Ampere from the source. What current will the
heater draw if the potential difference is increased to 120V.
Combination of Resistors:
(i) Series combination
(ii) Parallel combination.
1. Resistors in Series: When resistors are joined from end to end, it is
called in series. In this case, the total resistance of the system is equal to
the sum of the resistance of all the resistors in the system.
Let, three resistors R1, R2, and R3 get connected in series.
Potential difference across A and B = V
Potential difference across R1, R2 and R3 = V1, V2 and V3
Current flowing through the combination = I
We, know that
V= V1 + V2 + V3 …. (i)
According to Ohm’s Law :
V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2 and V3 = IR3 ….. (ii)
Let, total resistance = Rs
Then, V = IRs …(iii)
From equations (i) and (ii) and (iii)
IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3
When the resistors are connected in series, the current flowing through
each resistor is the same and is equal to the total current.
2. Resistors in Parallel: When resistors are joined in parallel, the
reciprocal of the total resistance of the system is equal to the sum of
reciprocal of the resistance of resistors.
Let three resistors R1, R2 and R3 connected in parallel.
Potential difference across point A and B = V
Total current flowing between point A and B = I
Currents flowing through resistors R1, R2 and R3 = I1, I2 and I3 respectively.
We, know that,
I = I1 + I2 + I3 …….(i)
Since, the potential difference across R1, R2, and R3 is the same = V
According to Ohm’s Law,
In parallel combination, the potential difference across each resistor is the
same and is equal to the total potential difference.
The total current through the circuit can be calculated by adding the
electric current through individual resistors.
Itotal = 6A + 48A + 30A + 12A + 24A = 120A
Heating Effect of Electric Current: When electric current is passed
through a wire, it becomes very hot after sometimes. This is called as
heating effect of current. This is because of transformation of electrical
energy into heat energy.
Mathematical derivation for heat generated in a conductor:
Let, an electric current, I is flowing through a resistor having resistance =
R.
The potential difference through the resistor is = V.
The charge, Q flows through the circuit for the time, t
Thus, work done in moving of charge (Q) of potential difference (V),
W=V×Q
Since this charge, Q flows through the circuit for time t
Therefore, power input (P) to the circuit can be given by the following
equation :
P = WT
P = V × Qt …..(i)
We know, electric current, I = Qt
Substituting Qt = I in equation (i), we get,
P = VI …(ii)
i.e., P = VI
Since, the electric energy is supplied for time ?, thus, after multiplying
both sides of equation (ii) by time t, we get,
P × t = VI × t = VIt ……(iii)
i.e., P = VIt
Thus, for steady current I, the heat produced (H) in time t is equal to VIt
H = VIt i.e., H = VIt
We know, according to Ohm’s Law,
V = IR
By substituting this value of V in equation (iii), we get,
H = IR × It
H = I2Rt ……(iv)
The expression (iv) is known as Joule’s Law of Heating, which states that
heat produced in a resistor is directly proportional to the square of current
given to the resistor, directly proportional to the resistance for a given
current and directly proportional to the time for which the current is
flowing through the resistor.
Numerical:
Q.1) An electric iron of 20 Ohm takes the current of 5A. Calculate the heat
generated in 30 sec.
Q.2) An electric motor takes 5A of current for 220V line. Calculate the heat
generated in 2 hrs.
Q.3) A resistors of resistance 20 Ohm is connect across the potential
difference of 20 V for 1 min. Calculate the heat generated in the resistors.
Joule’s law of heating:
If we assume that in a conductor all electrics energy is converted into heat
energy then the heat product is given by the formula h = I 2Rt
This is called as Joules law of heating. According to this law, the heat
produced is… (i) directly proportional to square of current i.e H∝ I2
(ii) directly proportional to resistance i.e H ∝ R
(iii) directly proportional to time for which current flows. i.e H ∝ t
Electric Power: Rate of doing work per unit time is called power. P = w/t
………… (i)
We know that W = VIt
Putting the value w in (i) we get , P = VIt/t
P = VI ………….. (ii)
As per Ohm’s law V = IR
Putting this value of V in (ii) we get,
P = IRI
P = I 2R ………………… (iii)
As per Ohm’s law ,
V = IR
Squaring both side, we have
V 2 = I2R2
I2 = V 2 / R 2
Putting the value of I2 in eq (iii)
2
V
P = 2 ×R
R
2
V
P = ❑ ………………… (iv)
R
From eq-n (ii), (iii) and (iv), we have
2
V
P = VI = I2R =
R❑
S.I unit of power is watt (W)
Definition of 1 watt:
Power is said to be 1 watt when 1A of current flows through the circuit
whose potential difference is 1 volt.
Q.4) An electric bulb is rated 220 volt & 60 watt. Calculate resistance?
QUESTIONS:
1. How does use of fuse wire protect electrical appliances?
Ans. When large amount of current flows through the circuit, temperature
of the wire increases and fuse wire gets melted. This in term prevent the
flow of current in the other circuits of the house and thus saved electrical
appliances.
2. Calculate the resistance of an electric bulb which allows a 10A
current when connected to a 220V power source?
Ans. I=10A, V=220V
R= = =22 ohm
3. Define the term “volt”?
Ans. The potential difference between two points A and B is said to be one
volt if 1 joule of work is done to move 1 coulomb of charge from one point
to another point in an electric field.
4. Why does the connecting rod of an electric heater not glow while
the heating element does?
Ans. The connecting cord of an electric heater does not glow because its
resistance is less as compared to the heating element. Hence more heat is
produced is the heating element as compared to the connecting cord and it
glows.
5. A copper wire has diameter 0.5mm and Resistivity of
what be the length of this wire to make its resistance ? How much
does the resistance change if diameter is doubled?
Ans. D= 0.5 mm = 0.5 m
P= 1.62 10 -8
R= 10
Length of the wire, l=121.14m
6. Alloys are used in electrical heating devices rather than pure
metals. Give reason.
Ans. Alloys are used in electricity heating devices rather than pure metals
because Resistivity of an alloy is more and hence more heat is produced in
any alloy. Moreover, alloy does not burn (or oxidize easily at higher
temperature).
7. On what factor does the resistance of a conductor depend?
Ans. Resistance depends on the following factors
(1) R l (length of the conductor)
(2) R l/A (area of cross - section)
(3) R t (temperature)
(4) R depends on nature of material.
8. Define the unit of current.
Ans. SI unit of electric current is Ampere. Current is said to be 1 ampere, if
1 coulomb charge flows per second across a cross-section of conductor.
9. Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of
charge.
Ans. Charge on one electron coulomb.
No of electron in one coulomb of charge =
10. What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two
points is 1 v?
Ans. The potential difference between two points is said to be 1 volt, if 1
joule of work is to be done for moving charge of 1 coulomb from one point
to another.
11. Ammeter burns out when connected in parallel. Give reasons.
Ans. Ammeter consists of a wire of low resistance when connected in
parallel, a large amount of current passes though it hence gets burnt i.e.
short circuited.