CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Electricity is the study of electric current and the effects produced by electric current
is called electricity.

Current electricity is the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.

Mathematically
𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒(𝑄)
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡(𝐼) =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒(𝑡)
𝑄
𝐼=
𝑡
S I unit of current is amperes (A)
𝑄
𝐼=
𝑡
𝑄 = 𝐼𝑡
S I unit of quantity of charge is coulomb (C).
One coulomb is the charge passing any point in a circuit when a steady current of
1A flow for 1second.
Example 1
If a charge of 180C flow through a lamp every 2min, what is the current?
Answer 1.5A
Example 2
A battery circulates charge round a circuit for 30s. if the current in the circuit is 5A.
what quantity of charge passes through the battery.
Answer 150C
Conventional current
An arrows are usually drawn on wire to indicate this direction of flow which a called
“the conventional current direction”.

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Conventional. current is the direction which show electric current as flowing
positively to negatively charged point

Electric circuit
This is the connection where current path through it. Or
This is closed path around which the electric charge moves. The circuit must be:
i. A closed circuit
This is the one in which there is an unbroken conducting path round which charge
can flow continuously. It means that the switches a current “on”.
ii. Open circuit
This is the one in which there is a break at one or more point in the conducting
path so that there is no current anywhere in circuit. It means that the switches
current “off”7

iii. A short circuit

This is the one acts as bypass for the electric current by providing an easier or shorter
path for it to flow round.
Series and parallel connection of conductor
There are two basic ways of joining conductor together, known as
 Series connection
“it has equal brightness and have the same current through them”
If anyone lamp fail or comes loose in its holder the whole circuit is broken and with
no current anywhere in the circuit, all lamps go “off”.

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 Parallel connection
“the current in the circuit divided up and only part of its flows in each conductor”
If one fails it does not affect the other lamps, less current flow in the circuit as whole.
Potential difference (p.d) and electromotive force (e.m.f)
Potential difference
This is the work done per unit charge in moving electric charge from one point to
another.
𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆(𝑾)
𝒑. 𝒅 =
𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆(𝑸)
S I unit for p.d and e.m.f is volt (V) and the device used to measure are voltage. The
voltmeter is always connected in parallel across the points between which the
potential difference is to be measured.
The advantages of having appliances connected in parallel, rather than in series,
(i) The p.d. across each lamp is fixed (at the mains p.d.), so the lamp shines
with the same brightness irrespective of how many other lamps are
switched on.
(ii) Each lamp can be turned on and off independently; if one lamp fails, the
others can still be operated.

Electromotive force
This is the equivalent to potential difference across terminal of the battery when it’s
not supplying a current.
e.m.f is not a force but a process by which a device such as cell converts chemical
energy into electrical energy.
Example 3
A current of 10A flowing through electric heater for a hour converts 8.64𝑀𝐽 of
electrical energy into heat energy. Calculate a) total charge circulated through the
heater. b) the p.d across the battery. Answer 𝟑. 𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝑪 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝑽

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Example 4
A battery circulated 60C of charge round a circuit. a) if the p.d across a lamp in the
circuit is 12V. how much energy is converted into heat and light by lamp. b) if the
charge is circulated at constant rate of flow for 20s, what is the current in the circuit
during this time. Answer 𝟕𝟐𝟎𝑱 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟑𝑨

Relationship between potential difference and current across a conductor

When a source of p.d (cell) is connected across the end of conductor, a current flow.
For a metal conductor, the current flowing through p.d across the end of the
conductor. This is agreement with Ohm’s law.
Ohm’s law state that “the voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the
current, provided temperature and other physical condition remain constant”
This law can be expressed as
𝑉∝𝐼
𝑉 = 𝐾𝐼
Where K is proportionality constant known as resistance (R)
𝑉 = 𝑅𝐼

Experimentally, the aim of the experiment to verify the ohm’s law

Graph of V against I and I against V

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The nature of the graph is straight line path through origin.
It applies to a metal and alloys called ohmic conductor.
Ohmic conductor are those material that obey ohm’s law. the current and the
voltage has linear relationship. The current increase or decrease as the voltage is
increased or decreased. Semiconductor diode, valves, and transistor are non ohmic
conductor.
Non ohmic conductor are those material that do not obeys ohm’s law. The non-
ohmic conductor has non-linear current-voltage relationship . The resistance of non
ohmic conductor does not remain constant when the voltage is applied across it. The
changing resistance results in change in the current for a particular voltage and the
V-I graph is no more linear.

Factors that determine the resistance of a conductor

There are four factor that affect resistance of conductor. These are
a. Temperature
The resistance of all substance change with temperature. For a metal temperature
increase and hence resistance increases.
b. Length of conductor
Resistance is directly proportion to the length of conductor
𝑅∝ℓ
The length of conductor increases while the resistance increases and vice versa.
c. Cross-sectional area

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Resistance is inversely proportion to cross-sectional area of conductor.
1
𝑅∝
𝐴
The cross sectional area increases while resistance decreases and vice versa.
d. Nature of material
Resistance also depend on the material making a conductor. For example, a steel
wire has higher resistance than a copper wire of identical dimension at the same
temperature.
Now, combine the factors b) and c)
1
𝑅 ∝ ℓ×
𝐴
ℓ
𝑅∝
𝐴
ℓ
𝑅=𝐾
𝐴
Where K is proportionality constant known as resistivity (𝜌)
ℓ
𝑅=𝜌
𝐴
Resistivity is the ability of material to oppose the flow of electric current. S I
unit of resistivity is ohms-meter (Ωm).
𝑅𝐴
𝜌=
ℓ
Resistivity of some material
material resistivity in (𝛀𝐦).
Constantan 4.9 × 10
Aluminium 2.7 × 10
Chromium 1.3 × 10
Copper 1.68 × 10
Nichrome 1.0 × 10
Quartz 7.5 × 10
iron 9.71 × 10
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Example 5
What is the resistance of a copper wire of length 20m and diameter of 0.08cm? given
that resistivity of copper is 1.68 × 10 . Answer 𝟎. 𝟔𝟕𝛀
Example 6
An iron wire has a length of 0.5m and diameter of 1.6mm. a) what is the resistance
of the wire? b) what will be the current in the wire if it connected to a 9V battery.
Answer 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟒𝛀 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟑𝟕𝟓𝑨
Example 7
A metal rod of diameter 2mm has resistance of 0.01ohms. What is the resistance of
rod of same metal and same length but diameter 1mm? Answer 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝒐𝒉𝒎𝒔
Example 8
The resistance of certain wire is 12ohms. What is the resistance of another wire of
the same material but with half of the length and half of the radius of the first wire?
Answer 𝟐𝟒 𝒐𝒉𝒎𝒔
Example 9
A wire of length 9m and radius 0.05cm has a resistance of 5ohms. Calculate the
resistivity of the wire? answer 𝟒. 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎 𝟕 𝛀𝐦

Resistance
This is the opposition offered by a conductor to flow of electric current through it.
A good conductor must have a low resistance and vice versa. S I unit of resistance
is ohms (ꭥ).
Combining of resistance
Resistance can be combined in series or in parallel.
 Resistance in series
Consider the three resistance R1, R2, and R3 are connected in series.

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In the circuit, the current flowing is the same at all point.
𝐼 =𝐼 =𝐼 =𝐼
The sum of the p.d in the external circuit is equal to the potential difference (p.d)
across the battery (e.m.f).
𝑉 =𝑉 +𝑉 +𝑉
From ohm’s law (𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅)
But
𝑰𝑹𝒕 = 𝑰𝑹𝟏 + 𝑰𝑹𝟐 + 𝑰𝑹𝟑
𝑰𝑹𝒕 = 𝑰(𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑 )
𝑹𝒕 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑

∴ The total resistance in the series is the sum of individual resistance. Sometime
total resistance known as equivalent resistor.
 Resistance in parallel
Consider the three resistor R1, R2, and R3 are connected across two common point
(in parallel)

In this circuit, have the same potential difference(V) will be applied to each

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 𝑉 =𝑉 =𝑉 =𝑉
The total current must be equal to the sum individual current in separate branches.
𝐼 =𝐼 +𝐼 +𝐼

From ohm’s law (𝐼 = )

𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 𝑉
= + +
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
𝑉 1 1 1
=𝑉 + +
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +
𝑹𝒕 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

For two resistor

𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
𝑹𝒕 =
𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟏

When the resistors are connected in series “the total resistance is higher than that
the individual resistors”. However, for resistors in parallel “the total resistance is
lower than that of individual resistors”.
Example 10
Three resistors of resistance 10ohms, 25ohms and 50ohms respectively are to be
connected between point A and B. What will be resistance between point A and B
a) if resistors are connected in series b) if resistors are connected in parallel.
𝟐𝟓
Answer 𝟖𝟓𝛀 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝛀
𝟒

Example 11
Three a conductors of resistance 10ꭥ, 15ꭥ and 25ꭥ are joined in series across a 100V
supply, find a) total resistance b) current in the circuit c) p.d across each conductor
Answer 𝟓𝟎𝛀, 𝟐𝑨 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟐𝟎𝑽, 𝟑𝟎𝑽 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟓𝟎𝑽

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Example 12
A lamp of resistance 960ohms, an electric fire of resistance 30ohms and vacuum
cleaner of resistance 60ohms are connected in parallel across the mains supply 240V,
calculate the current through each appliance and the total current supplied by the
main. Answer 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑨, 𝟖𝑨, 𝟒𝑨 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟏𝟐. 𝟐𝟓𝑨
Example 13
A p.d of 12V from a battery is supplied to network of resistors in fig bellow

b) What is the combined resistance of 6ꭥ and 3ꭥ resistors in parallel? b) what is

the current in 4ꭥ resistor? c) what is p.d across the parallel network? d) what
is the current in 6ꭥ resistor? Answer 𝒂) 𝟐𝛀, 𝒃) 𝟐𝑨, 𝒄) 𝟒𝑽, 𝒅) 𝟒 𝟑 𝛀

Internal resistance of the cell

The free movement of electrons in the cell is resisted by the molecules of the
electrolyte. Such as resisted offered by a cell is called internal resistance (r) of cell.
Internal resistance is the resistance that oppose the flow of current through the cell.
The strength of the current which is obtained from the cell depends on its e.m.f and
internal resistance.
Consider the diagram below

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The cell supplies an e.m.f (E) which set up in a current in the circuit. The total
resistance offered by the circuit is (R + r). The term (𝐸 − 𝑉) is called voltage drops
When a resistor, or any circuit connected to a cell, which has internal resistance, the
p.d between the pole is lower than the e.m.f of the cell. The voltage is “lost” in
driving current through the resistance offered by a cell.
𝐸 =𝑉 +𝑉
𝐸 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑟
𝐸
𝐼=
𝑅+𝑟
Example 14
A cell of e.m.f 6V and internal resistance of 1.5ꭥ is connected to 10.5ꭥ resistor.
What current flows in the circuit and what p.d across the resistor?
Answer 𝟎. 𝟓𝑨 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟓. 𝟐𝟓𝑽

𝟏
Graph of 𝑰 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔
𝑹

The slope of the graph is

I(A) e.m.f (E) and the nature of
ΔΙ graph is straight line pass
through -ve y-intercept.
1
Δ 𝑽𝒓
𝑅 y-intercept is
𝑹

1
𝑅

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 𝟏
Graph of 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑹
𝑰

𝟏
The slope of the graph is
𝑬
1 1 and nature of the graph is
(𝐴 ) ∆
𝐼 𝐼 straight line pass through
+ve y-intercept .
∆𝑅
𝒓
y-intercept is
𝑬

R(ohm)

Cell arrangement
A group of cell connected together is called battery. A cell can have connected
 In series
A positive terminal is connected to negative of next and so on.

E.m.f and internal resistance must be added.

𝑬 = 𝑬𝟏 + 𝑬𝟐 + 𝑬𝟑
𝒓 = 𝒓𝟏 + 𝒓𝟐 + 𝒓𝟑

In parallel
The equivalent e.m.f of cell in parallel equal to the e.m.f of one cell.

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e.m.f between a and b equal to the e.m.f of one cell.
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= +
𝒓 𝒓𝟏 𝒓𝟐

Example 15
Two cell each of e.m.f 1.0V and internal resistance 2ꭥ are connected a) in series b)
in parallel to a resistor 2ꭥ. Find a current in both circuit and the p.d across the
external resistor in both circuits. Answer 𝒂) 𝟎. 𝟑𝟑𝑨, 𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝑽 𝒃) 𝟏 𝟑 𝑨, 𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝑽

Example 16
Two cell of e.m.f 2V and 1.5V and internal resistance 0.1ꭥ and 0.9ꭥ respectively are
connected in series to a resistor of 4ꭥ. find the current when the cell is i) assisting
each other ii) opposing each other. Answer 𝟎. 𝟖𝑨 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟎. 𝟏𝑨
Example 17
Use the diagram below to calculate the current when

i) switch K1 is closed while K2 is open.

ii) Both switches K1 and K2 are closed.

iii) switch K1 is open while K2 is closed. Answer 𝒊) 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑨 𝒊𝒊) 𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝑨 𝒊𝒊𝒊) 𝟎𝑨

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 Heating effect of an electric current
Electricity is the form of energy and can be converted to heat energy. Some of these
form of light, sound and heat.
In all cases, part of the electric energy is converted to heat due to the resistance of
the circuit component. Heating effect of electric current is observed in electric cattle,
electric iron and electric fire among other.
Factors that determine the quantity of heat
generated by electric current
The quantity of heat generated in a conductor by an electric current depends on:
 The resistance of conductor
 Magnitude of current
 The length of time the current passes through the conductor (time).
Joule’s law
State that “when an electric current is passed through a conductor the heat evolved
in a given conductor is directly proportional to the product of the resistance and
the square of current”.
Consider a conductor through which a current (I) flows a time (t) drive the p.d (V).
From 𝑾 = 𝑸𝑽
But 𝑸 = 𝑰𝒕
𝑾 = 𝑰𝒕𝑽
𝑾 = 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑯)
𝑯 = 𝑰𝒕𝑽

From ohm’s law 𝑽 = 𝑰𝑹

𝑯 = 𝑰𝒕 × 𝑰𝑹
𝑯 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹𝒕

𝑽𝟐 𝒕
𝑯=
𝑹

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Example 18
A resistance of 100Ω is connected across a battery 12V. how much energy is
dissipated across the resistor in 5s. Answer 𝟕. 𝟐𝑱
Example 19
A bulb draws a current of 0.5A from 240V source. Calculate the energy dissipated
in 10min. Answer 𝟕. 𝟐𝑲𝑱
Example 20
Three resistors with resistances 9ꭥ, 12ꭥ and 15ꭥ are connected in series across a
12V battery. Calculate the energy dissipated by the 12ꭥ resistor in 10sec.
Answer 𝟏𝟎. 𝟖𝑱
Electric power
Power is the rate of doing work or rate at which energy is dissipated.

From 𝑃=
𝐼𝑡𝑉
𝑃=
𝑡
𝑷 = 𝑰𝑽

S I unit of power is watt (W) or joule per second (J/s)

𝟏
𝟏𝑾 = 𝟏𝑱𝒔
𝟏𝑲𝑾 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑾
𝟏𝑴𝑾 = 𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑾
MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL POWER
Electricity is paid for by the amount of electrical energy used. The commercial unit
of electrical energy is the kilowatt- hour (KWh). It is called a unit of electricity.
“The kilowatt-hour is the energy supplied by a rate of working of 1000watt for a
one hour”.
𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 = ×
𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓

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Now
𝟏𝑲𝑾𝒉 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑾 × (𝟔𝟎 × 𝟔𝟎)𝒔
𝟏𝑲𝑾𝒉 = 𝟑. 𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑱
THE COST OF ELECTRICITY
Electricity is sold at fixed price per unit. The cost per unit may also depend on the
total consumption. An example of costs per unit of electricity is as follow:
 Domestic uses (light and power) 14cent per unit
 Commercial uses
1st 200unit 75cent per unit
2nd 300unit 35cent per unit
3rd 500unit 30cent per unit
Example 21
A house has five rooms, each with a 60W, 240V bulb. If the bulbs are switched on
from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. determine the power consumed by the bulb per day by
the bulbs.
Answer 1.05KWh

Example 22
A man has a 40W, 60W and two 150W bulbs in a room. How much will it cost
him to keep these four bulbs light for 8hour a day. If the cost of unit is 14cent.
Answer 44.8cent
Example 23
A woman uses an electric stove 1.25KW and electric kettle 200W on her power
supply. She buys an electric fan rated at 500W. can she connect all four appliances
to her power supply at same time? How much will it cost her to use the stove for
3hour? (|main voltage 220V: fuse is 10A wire: a unit cost 10cent).
Answer 10.2A and 37.5cent
Example 24

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Find the cost of running five 60W lamps and four 100W lamps for 8 hours if electric
costs T shs. 27/= per unit. Answer 159.3/=
ELECTRICAL CELL
This is the device that drives an electric charge round a circuit and sets up a current.
Or, this is set-up used to cause the flow of electric current in conductor.
In the cell chemical change take place and energy released during the chemical
reaction is made available as electrical energy.
Experimentally, show that an electric current flow between two electrodes each
made of different metal, when the electrode is placed in an electrolyte.
Types of cells
There are two common types of cells, namely
1. Primary cells
2. Secondary cells
PRIMARY CELLS
Primary cell is the cells formed by dipping two different metal into a conducting
a solution. Sometime known as voltaic cells.
The two metals are called electrode it consists positive electrode (copper) and
negative electrode (zinc). While solution is called electrolyte (dilute sulfuric
acid). Examples of primary cell are dry cell and leclanch’e cell.
The diagram shows the features of a simple primary cells

The following are the process that occur when the cell is in operation.
i. Dilute sulfuric acid separates into sulphate ion and hydrogen ion.
𝐻 𝑆𝑂 → 2𝐻 + 𝑆𝑂
ii. The zinc plate slowly dissolves in the acid as zinc ion to the copper
electrode.

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