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Chapter 2: Electricity
CHAPTER 2: ELECTRICITY
7.1 CHARGE AND ELECTRIC CURRENT
Electric charge
Example
Charge of 1 electron = -1.6 x 10-19C
Charge of 1 proton = +1.6 x 10-19C
Example:
Find the charge of 2.5 10
of 1 electron is 1.6 10
electrons. ( Charge
)
Answer:
Number of electrons , n =2.5 10
Charge of 1 electron, e =1.6 10
=
= (2.5 10 )(1.6 10
= 4
)
Q3: The charge of an electron is 1.6
10
. How many electrons are there in -0.6
Coulomb of charge?
-1-
Van de Graaff
Van de Graaff generator is a device that produces and store electric charges at high voltage on
its dome.
When the motor of the Van de Graaff generator is switched on, it drives the rubber belt.
This causes the rubber belt to against the roller and hence becomes charged.
The charge is then carried by the moving belt up to the metal dome where it is
collected.
If the charged metal dome is connected to the earth via a galvanometer, the pointer deflects, indicating
that there is a flow of charges. This flow of charges is known as electric current.
Predict what will happen if a discharging metal sphere to the charged dome.
Predict what will happen if hair of a student is brought near to the charged dome.
The hair stand ______________, this is because of each strand of hair receives
________________ charges and ________________each other.
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ElectricCurrent
i.
ii.
iii.
Example:
5 C of charge flows through a wire in 10 s. What is
the current in the wire?
Answer:
Q = 5 C , t = 10 s
5
10
= 0.5
=
-3-
-4-
ElectricField
-5-
-6-
Explanation:
1. Place the polystyrene ball between the two
metal plates.
2. Switch on the E.H.T and displace the
polystyrene ball slightly so that it touches
one of the metal plates.
Explanation:
1. Switch of the E.H.T and replace the
polystyrene ball with a lighted candle.
2. Sketch the flame observed when the E.H.T.
is switched on.
Cells
voltmeter
connecting
wire
Switch
Constantan wire //
eureka wire
resistance
bulb
rheostat
The potential difference across two points in a circuit can be measured using a voltmeter. Voltmeters
must always be connected in parallel between the points concerned.
Ammeter measures current in amperes. Connected in series with a resistor or a device. Ammeter has a
low resistance so that its existence has little effect on the magnitude of current flowing.
To investigate the relationship between current and potential difference for an ohmic conductor
Figure (a) and figure (b) show two electrical circuits. Why do the ammeters show different readings? Why
do the bulbs light up with different intensity? Referring to the figure (a) and (b) complete the following table:
i.
Make one suitable inference.
ii.
State one appropriate hypothesis that could be investigated.
iii.
Design an experiment to investigate the hypothesis.
Inference
Hypothesis
Aim
Variables
Manipulated variable :
Responding variable :
Fixed variable :
Apparatus /
Materials
Method:
1. Turn on the switch and adjust the rheostat until the ammeter reads the current, I =
0.2 A.
2. Read the value of the potential difference, V, from the voltmeter. Record the readings.
3. Repeat the experiment for I = 0.3 A, 0.4 A, 0.5 A, 0.6 A Tabulate the data.
4. Plot a graph of V against I.
5. Repeat the experiment by replacing the constantan wire, which is ohmic conductor
with an electric bulb which is a non-ohmic conductor.
Sketch the graph V vs I and describe the shape of each graph.
hmic conductor
non-ohmic conductor
The greater the potential difference or voltage, the greater the current flow.
When the potential difference between two points in a circuit increases, the current flowing
through it increases.
When the potential difference (V) between the points decreases, the current (I) decreases.
The potential difference is directly proportional to the current flowing through it.
Ohms Law
The relationship between the current passing through 2 points in a conductor and the potential difference
between the 2 points is given by Ohm's law.
Ohms Law states that the current flowing in the metallic conductor is directly proportional to the potential
difference applied across its ends, provided that the physical conditions (such as temperature) are constant.
The constant is known as resistance, R of the conductor.
The resistance, R of a conductor is defined as the ratio of potential difference, V across the conductor to the
current, I flowing through it. Thus:
=
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Exercise:
1.
(b)
J C-1 volt, V
(c)
(d)
2 volt is two joules of work done to move 2 coulomb of charge from one
to another in an electric field.
(e)
False
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- 13 -
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PARALLEL CIRCUIT
V=
I=
3 If Ohms law is applied separately to each bulb 3 If Ohms law is applied separately to each bulb
/ resistor, we get :
/ resistor, we get :
V =
IR =
R=
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(a)
(b)
(c)
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(d)
Effective resistance, R
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- 18 -
Exercise:
1 The two bulbs in the figure have a resistance of 2 and 3 respectively. If the voltage of the dry cell is
2.5 V, calculate:
a) the effective resistance, R of the circuit
b) the main current, I in the circuit
c) the potential difference across each bulb
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2 There are two resistors in the circuit shown. Resistor R1 has a resistance of 1 . If a 3V voltage causes a
current of 0.5A to flow through the circuit, calculate the resistance of R2.
The electrical current flowing through each branch, I1 and I2, is 5 A. Both bulbs have the same
resistance, which is 2. Calculate the voltage supplied.
4 The voltage supplied to the parallel is 3 V. R1 and R2 have a resistance of 5 and 20 . Calculate:
(a) the potential difference across each resistor
(b) the effective resistance, R of the circuit
(c) the main current, I in the circuit
(d) the current passing through each resistor
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Electromotive Force
The electromotive force, E (e.m.f) is defined as the work done by a source in driving one coulomb
of charge around a complete circuit.
The difference between electromotive force and potential difference.
Electromotive Force
Potential Difference
Indicates the electrical energy given to 1 C of
Indicates the electrical energy that is transformed
charge flowing through the cell or source.
to other forms of energy when 1 C of charge
passes through a component in a closed circuit.
Used in reference to source of electrical energy
Used in reference to electrical component
in a circuit.
Represented by the voltmeter reading in
Represented by the voltmeter reading in a closed
an open circuit (when switch is opened)
circuit (when switch is closed)
-1
Measured in JC or Volts,V
Measured in JC-1 or Volts,V
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Observation:
Discussion:
1. The reading of the voltmeter when switch S is open is higher than when switch S is closed.
2. The reading of the voltmeter when the circuit is open is the e.m.f value of the cell.
3. The reading of the voltmeter when the circuit is closed is the potential difference across the bulb.
4. There is a drop in potential difference across the cell. This is caused by the internal resistance of
the cell.
Internal Resistance
Internal resistance in the battery causes the loss of energy or drop in potential difference across the
battery.
The internal resistance of a source or cell is the resistance against the moving charge due to the
electrolyte in the cell.
Electromotive force, e.m.f
= Potential Difference across resistor, R + Drop in Potential Difference duo to internal resistance, r
, =
+
,
=
, =
Exercise:
1
i. Why is the potential difference across the resistor not the same as the e.m.f. of the battery?
ii. Determine the value of the internal resistance.
iii. Determine the value of the external resistor.
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A cell with e.m.f. 2 V and internal resistance 1 is connected to a resistor of 4 . What is the
reading on the voltmeter when it is connected across the 4 resistor?
When switch S is opened, the voltmeter reading is 1.5 V. When the switch is closed, the voltmeter
reading is 1.35 V and the ammeter reading is 0.3 A. Calculate:
i. e.m.f
ii. internal resistance
iii. resistance of R
A bulb M is connected to a battery by means of a switch. A voltmeter is also connected across the
battery. When the switch is open, the voltmeter reads 6.0 V. When the switch is closed, the
voltmeter reads 4.8 V.
i. What is the e.m.f. of the battery? (b) If the resistance of the bulb M is 8 , what is the current
passing through M when the switch is closed?
ii. Find the value of the internal resistance, r, of the battery.
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Activity: To determine the values of the electromotive force (e.m.f.) and the internal resistance, r of the cell
Procedure
Plot graph of
V against I on
a graph aper.
Discussion
1. Turn on the switch, adjust the rheostat until the ammeter reading is I = 0.2 A
2. Record the voltmeter reading as V.
3. Repeat the experiment with current, I = 0.3 A, 0.4 A, 0.5 A and 0.6 A.
E = V + Ir
V = -Ir + E
Compare =
E = y intercept
r = gradient
Exercise:
1 Determine:
(a)the e.m.f of the cell
(b)the internal resistance of the cell
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A circuit contains a cell of e.m.f 3.0 V and internal resistance, r. If the external resistor has a
value of 10.0 and the potential difference across it is 2.5 V, find the value of the current, I in the
circuit and the internal resistance, r.
A simple circuit consisting of a 2 V dry cell with an internal resistance of 0.5 . When the
switch is closed, the ammeter reading is 0.4 A. Calculate
(a) the voltmeter reading in open circuit
(b) the resistance, R
(c) the voltmeter reading in closed circuit
A cell of e.m.f., E and internal resistor, r is connected to a rheostat. The ammeter reading, I and
the voltmeter reading, V are recorded for different resistance, R of the rheostat. The graph of V
against I is as shown. From the graph, determine:
a) the electromotive force, e.m.f., E
b) the internal resistor, r of the cell
A graph of R against 1/I shown in figure was obtained from an experiment to determine the
electromotive force, e.m.f, E and internal resistance, r of a cell. From the graph, determine:
i. The internal resistance of the cell,
ii. The e.m.f of the cell.
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Electrical Energy
Electrical energy is important because this form of energy can be easily converted into other forms of
energy such as heat, light, mechanical and electromagnetic energy.
Potential difference, V across two points is the energy, E dissipated or transferred by a coulomb of
charge, Q that moves across the two points.
Therefore,
,
, =
,
Power is defined as the rate of energy dissipated or transferred.
Hence,
,
,
Electrical Power, P
From the definition of potential difference, V. Power is the rate of transfer of electrical energy.
=
Where Q=It
Where V=IR
Where =
SI unit :
Joule (J)
SI unit:
One kilowatt-hour is the electrical energy dissipated or transferred by a 1 kW device in one hour.
Household electrical appliances that work on the heating effect of current are usually marked
with voltage, V and power rating, P.
The energy consumption of an electrical appliance depends on the power rating and the usage time,
E=Pt.
Power dissipated in a resistor, three ways to calculate:
R = 100, I=0.5 A.
Calculate the power dissipated.
R=100 , V = 50 V
Calculate the power dissipated.
V= 50 V , I=0.5 A
Calculate the power dissipated.
Energy
Consumed
60
8 hours
(kWh)
400
24 hours
Kettle
1500
3 hours
Iron
1000
2 hours
Appliance
Quantity
Power / W
Bulb
Refrigerator
Power / kW
Cost =
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100
The efficiency of an electrical appliance is always less than 100% as some energy is lost in the form of
heat and sound.
Exercise:
1 How much power dissipated in the bulb?
Calculate:
i. The current, I in the circuit.
ii. The energy released in R1 in 10s.
iii. The electrical energy supplied by the battery in 10s.
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Calculate:
i. Energy consumed in 1 day.
ii. How much would it cost to operate the appliances for 1 month?
10
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Reinforcement Exercise
Part A: Objective Questions
1
Which of the following graphs shows the correct relationship between the potential difference, V
and current, I for an ohmic conductor?
A small heater operates at 12 V, 2A. How much energy will it use when it is run for 5 minutes?
A. 90 J
B. 120 J
C. 1800 J
D. 7200 J
The electric current supplied by a battery in a digital watch is 3.0 x 10-5 A. What is the quantity of
charge that flows in 2 hours?
-7
A. 2.5 x 10 C
-5
B. 1.5 x 10 C
-3
C. 3.6 x 10 C
Which of the following circuits can be used to determine the resistance of the bulb?
-1
D. 2.2 x 10 C
8 Which of the following will not affect the resistance of a conducting wire.
A. temperature
B. length
C. cross-sectional area
D. current flow through the wire
9
1
0
An electric kettle connected to the 240 V main supply draws a current of 10 A. What is the power
of the kettle?
A. 200 W
B. 2000 W
C. 2400 W
D. 3600 W
In the circuit above, what is the ammeter reading when the switch S is turned on?
A. 1.0 A
B. 1.5 A
C. 2.0 A
D. 9.0 A
E. 10.0 A
13
A 2 kW heater takes 20 minutes to heat a pail of water. How much energy is supplied by the
heater to the water in this period of time?
6
A. 1.2 x 10 J
6
B. 1.8 x 10 J
6
C. 2.4 x 10 J
6
D. 3.6 x 10 J
6
E. 4.8 x 10 J
14
15
All bulbs in the circuits below are identical. Which circuit has the smallest effective resistance?
16
An electric motor lifts a load with a potential difference 12 V and fixed current 2.5 A. If the efficiency
of the motor is 80%, how long does it take to lift a load of 600 N through a vertical height of 4 m?
A. 20 s
B. 40 s
C. 60 s
D. 80 s
E. 100 s
17
A 24 resistor is connected across the terminals of a 12 V battery. Calculate the power dissipated
in the resistor.
A. 0.5 W
B. 2.0 W
C. 4.0 W
D. 6.0 W
18
The circuit shows four identical bulbs to a cell 6 V. Which bulb labeled A, B, C, D is the brightest?
19
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