Assignment 1 (V16)

1. Use your own words to describe about the Ohm’s law and state an example for it.

An electric circuit is formed when a conductive path is created to allow free electrons to
continuously move. This continuous movement of free electrons through the conductors
of a circuit is called a current, and it is often referred to in terms of "flow," just like the
flow of a liquid through a hollow pipe.

The force motivating electrons to "flow" in a circuit is called voltage. Voltage is a

specific measure of potential energy that is always relative between two points. When we
speak of a certain amount of voltage being present in a circuit, we are referring to the
measurement of how much potential energy exists to move electrons from one particular
point in that circuit to another particular point. Without reference to two particular points,
the term "voltage" has no meaning.

Free electrons tend to move through conductors with some degree of friction, or
opposition to motion. This opposition to motion is more properly called resistance. The
amount of current in a circuit depends on the amount of voltage available to motivate the
electrons, and also the amount of resistance in the circuit to oppose electron flow. Just
like voltage, resistance is a quantity relative between two points. For this reason, the
quantities of voltage and resistance are often stated as being "between" or "across" two
points in a circuit.

To be able to make meaningful statements about these quantities in circuits, we need to

be able to describe their quantities in the same way that we might quantify mass,
temperature, volume, length, or any other kind of physical quantity. For mass we might
use the units of "kilogram" or "gram." For temperature we might use degrees Fahrenheit
or degrees Celsius. Here are the standard units of measurement for electrical current,
voltage, and resistance:
In this example, we will calculate the amount of current (I) in a circuit, given values of
voltage (E) and resistance (R):

What is the amount of current (I) in this circuit?

2. State 3 major function and example of the current.

An electric circuit is formed when a conductive path is created to allow free electrons to
continuously move. This continuous movement of free electrons through the conductors
of a circuit is called a current, and it is often referred to in terms of "flow," just like the
flow of a liquid through a hollow pipe.

Current indicates the amount of electrons passing through the wire and is measured in
amperes or amps for short. For some reason, they use I to indicate current instead of a
different letter. The unit symbol for amps is A, as in 2.0A. Electrical current is similar to
the rate of water flowing through a hose.
If you know voltage and resistance, you can use algebra to change the equation to I = V /
R to find the current. For example, if V = 110V and R = 22000 ohms, then
I = 110V / 22000 Ω = 0.005A

3. What will affect the resistance varying?

Resistance is a feature of a material that determines the flow of electric charge. The unit
of resistance is ohm. The resistance varies in different materials. For example, gold,
silver, and copper have low resistance, which means that current can flow easily through
these materials. Glass, plastics, and wood have very high resistance, which means that
current can not pass through these materials easily.

Resistance increases if the length is increased. This simple relationship is used to make
resistors. Resistance can be changed by altering the length or shape of a conductor, and
also by changing the material itself.

Varying resistance turns out to be an amazingly useful thing to do. We can use it to
control currents that in turn make things move faster, appear brighter, or sound louder.

4. What is the function of the capacitor and state examples of the type of capacitor?

The capacitor's function is to store electricity, or electrical energy. The capacitor also
functions as a filter, passing alternating current (AC), and blocking direct current (DC).
This symbol is used to indicate a capacitor in a circuit diagram. The capacitor is
constructed with two electrode plates facing eachother, but separated by an insulator.

When DC voltage is applied to the capacitor, an electric charge is stored on each

electrode. While the capacitor is charging up, current flows. The current will stop flowing
when the capacitor has fully charged.
Consider two plates separated by d=1.5 cm , where the electric field between them is 100
V/m, and the charge on the plates is 30.0 mC. What is the capacitance?
Solution:
The Capacitance is:

2.0E-5 F

5. Sketch and describe about the relay.

A relay is an electrically operated switch. Current flowing through the coil of the relay
creates a magnetic field which attracts a lever and changes the switch contacts. The coil
current can be on or off so relays have two switch positions and most have double throw
(changeover) switch contacts as shown in the diagram.

Relays allow one circuit to switch a second circuit which can be completely separate
from the first. For example a low voltage battery circuit can use a relay to switch a 230V
AC mains circuit. There is no electrical connection inside the relay between the two
circuits; the link is magnetic and mechanical.

The coil of a relay passes a relatively large current, typically 30mA for a 12V relay, but it
can be as much as 100mA for relays designed to operate from lower voltages. Most ICs
(chips) cannot provide this current and a transistor is usually used to amplify the small IC
current to the larger value required for the relay coil. The maximum output current for the
popular 555 timer IC is 200mA so these devices can supply relay coils directly without
amplification.

Relays are usually SPDT or DPDT but they can have many more sets of switch contacts,
for example relays with 4 sets of changeover contacts are readily available. For further
information about switch contacts and the terms used to describe them please see the
page on switches.
Most relays are designed for PCB mounting but you can solder wires directly to the pins
providing you take care to avoid melting the plastic case of the relay.

Circuit symbol for a relay