SCIENCE 8 CHAPTER 5
AT HOME WITH
ELECTRICITY
OBJECTIVES
• Describe electric current in terms of charge
• Create an analogy for charges, current,
voltage, resistance, and power in an electric
circuit
• Differentiate voltage from current
• Enumerate and explain the physiological
effects of current
• Explain the principles of series and parallel
connection of batteries and of resistors
OBJECTIVES
• Differentiate power from energy
• Compare power ratings of some
common appliances
• Discuss the dangers of overloading
circuits
• Explain the uses and importance of
fuses, circuit breakers, and other
safety devices at home
CHAPTER 5 LESSON 1
Electric
Current
Electrodynamics deals with electrical
charges in motion. A closed
conducting path where charges flow
is called an electric circuit.
There are three essential
elements in an electric
circuit: current,
resistance, and voltage
or potential difference.
Electric current is the amount of charge passing
through any point in a conductor per unit time.
The SI unit of current is the ampere, named
after French physicist André-Marie Ampère. In
symbols,
I=
where I is the current in amperes (A), q is the
charge in coulombs (C), and t is the time in
seconds (s).
1 A = 1C/s
Directions of Current
Therefore, the
direction of flow is
from positive to
negative. This is called
conventional current.
In reality, electric
current is a stream of
electrons flowing in a
direction opposite
that of the
conventional current.
This is normally
called electron
current.
A current that flows in one
direction at all times is
called direct current or DC.
A current that changes
directions at regular
intervals (normally 60 times
in one second) is called
alternating current or AC.
Sample Problem
How many electrons pass a given point in
a wire per second if a current of 1.0 A is
flowing through it? Recall that the charge
of an electron is C.
Given: I = 1.0 A
t = 1.0 s
1e =
Formula: I =
Solution: I =
q = It
q = (1.0 A)(1.0 s)
q = 1.0 A•s
1.0 A•s = (1.0 C/s)•s
= 1.0 C
Considering the absolute
value of the charge of an
electron,
number of electrons = 1.0 C × ( )
=