CBSE Class 10 Science Notes Chapter 12

Electricity
Electricity: Electric current, electric circuit, voltage or electric potential, resistance and
(Ohm’s law).

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.

Electric Circuit: Electric circuit is a continuous and closed path of electric current.

Expression of Electric Current: Electric current is denoted by the letter ‘I’. Electric

current is expressed by the rate of flow of electric charges. Rate of flow means, the
amount of charge flowing through a particular area in unit time.

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.

S.I. Unit of Electric Charge and Current: S.I. unit of electric charge is coulomb (C).
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
Small Quantity of Electric Current: Small quantity of electric current is expressed in
milliampere and microampere. Milliampere is written as mA and microampere as pA.
1 mA (milliampere) = 10-3 A
1 pA (microampere) = 10-6 A

Ammeter: An apparatus to measure electric current in a circuit.,

Charge: Like mass, the charge is the fundamental property of matter. There are two
types of charge
(i) Positive charge.
(ii) Negative charge.

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) The.force 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).

S.I. unit of 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.

Electric Potential and Potential Difference

Electric Potential: The amount of electric potential energy at a point is called electric
potential.
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 = WorkdoneCharge
Voltage or electric potential difference is denoted by V’. Therefore, V = WQ
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

Voltmeter: An apparatus to measure the potential difference or electric potential

difference between two points in an electric circuit.

Galvanometer: It is a device to detect current in an electric 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.
This means potential difference V varies as electric current.
V∝I
V = RI
I = VR
R = VI
Where, R is constant for the given conductor at a given temperature and is called
resistance.
Resistance: Resistance is the property of conductor which resists the flow of electric
current through it.
S.I. unit of resistance is ohm. Ohm is denoted by Greek letter ‘Q’

1 Ohm: 1 ohm (Q) of resistance (R) is equal to the flow 1A of current through a
conductor between two points having a potential difference equal to 1V.
This means; 1Ω = 1V1A
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.
Graph of Potential Difference (V) Vs Electric Current (I)
Voltage, i.e. Potential diffrence (V) = ?
We know, from Ohm’s Law that,
R = VI
15 Ω = V15A
V = 225V
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.

Variable Resistance: The component of an electric circuit which is used to regulate the

current, without changing the voltage from the source, is called variable resistance.

Rheostat: This is a device which is used in a circuit to provide variable resistance.

Cause of Resistance in a Conductor: Flow of electrons in a conductor is electric current.

The positive particles of conductor create hindrance to flow of electrons, because of
attraction between them, this hindrance is the cause of resistance in the flow of
electricity.

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 m 2 and S.I. unit of
length is m. Hence, unit of resistivity (ρ) = Ω×m2m = Ωm
Thus, S.I. unit of resistivity (ρ) is Ωm.
Resistivity: It is defined as the resistance offered by a cube of a material of side 1m
when current flows perpendicular to its opposite faces. It’s S.I. unit is ohm-meter (Ωm).
Resistivity, ρ = RAl
Resistivity is also known as specific resistance.
Resistivity depends on the nature of the material of the conductor.
Materials having a resistivity in the range of 10-8 Ωm to 10-6 Ωm are considered as very
good conductors. Silver has resistivity equal to 1.60 × 10-8 Ωm and copper has
resistivity equal to 1.62 × 10-8 Ωm.
Rubber and glass are very good insulators. They have a resistivity in the order of 10-
12
 Ωm to 10-8 Ωm.
The resistivity of materials varies with temperature.
Combination of resistors (Series and Parallel combination), the heating effect of electric
current and electric power.
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 supplied to a purely resistive

conductor, the energy of electric current is dissipated entirely in the form of heat and as
a result, resistor gets heated. The heating of resistor because of dissipation of electrical
energy is commonly known as Heating Effect of Electric Current. Some examples are as
follows : When electric energy is supplied to an electric bulb, the filament gets heated
because of which, it gives light. The heating of electric bulb happens because of heating
effect of electric current.

Cause of Heating Effect of Electric Current: Electric current generates heat to

overcome the resistance offered by the conductor through which it passes. Higher the
resistance, the electric current will generate higher amount of heat. Thus, generation of
heat by electric current while passing through a conductor is an inevitable
consequence. This heating effect is used in many appliances, such as electric iron,
electric heater, electric geyser, etc.

Joule’s Law Of Heating: 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.
Electric Bulb: In an electric bulb, the filament of bulb gives light because of the heating
effect of electricity. The filament of bulb is generally, made of tungsten metal, having
melting point equal to 3380°C.

Electric Iron: The element of electric iron is made of alloys having high melting poir^
Electric heater and geyser work on the same mechanism.

Electric Fuse: Electric fuse is used to protect the electric appliances from high voltage if
any. Electric fuse is made of metal or alloy of metals, such as aluminum, copper, iron,
lead, etc. In the case of flow of higher voltage than specified, fuse wire melts and
protect the electric appliances.
Fuse of 1A, 2A, 3A, 5A, 10A, etc., used for domestic purpose.
Suppose, if an electric heater consumes 1000W at 220 V.
Then electric current in circuit
I = PV
I = 1000W220V = 4.5 A
Thus, in this case of 5A should be used to protect the electric heater in the flow of
higher voltage.
Electric Power
S.I. unit of electric power is watt (W).
1W = 1 volt × 1 ampere = 1V × 1A
I kilowatt or 1kW = 1000 W
Consumption of electricity (electric energy) is generally measured in kilowatt.
Unit of electric energy is kilowatt-hour (kWh).
1 kWh = 1000 watt × 1 hour = 1 unit = 1000 W × 3600 s
1 kWh = 3.6 x 106 watt second = 3.6 × 106 J

Conductor: The material which can allow the flow of electrons through itself is called
the conductor. It has a large number of free electrons. It offers low opposition in the
flow of current.

Insulator: The material which does not allow the flow of electrons through itself is
called insulator. It has less or no free electrons. It offers high opposition in the flow of
current.

Electric Current: The amount of flow charge through any cross-sectional area of a

conductor in unity time is called Electric Current.
It is represented by ‘I’
I = QT
Unit of Electric Current: It is CS-1 (coulomb per second) or Ampere (A). Electric Current
is a scalar quantity. It is measured by an ammeter.

Direction: The direction of conventional current (or practical current) is opposite to the

flow of electrons.

Electric potential: Electric Potential at any point in the electric field is defined as the
amount of work done to bring the unit positive charge from infinity (from outside the
electric field) to that point.
V =WQ, S.I. unit of Electric Potential is JC-1 or volt (V). It is a scalar quantity. The +ve
charge flows from higher to lower potential. The -ve charge flows from lower to a higher
potential. The difference of electric potential between any two points in the electric field
is called Electric Potential difference. It is known as a voltage which is equal to the work
done per unit charge between two points against the static electric field.
VAB = VA – VB = WABQ
Electric Potential difference is measured by a voltmeter.
Ohm’s Law: According to this law “Under the constant physical condition the potential
difference across the conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing through
the conductor.”
V∝I
V = IR …[Where R is proportionality constant called resistance of conductor]
⇒ I = VR
R depends upon nature, geometry and physical condition of the conductor.
The heat generated by electric current: The potential difference between two points in
an electrical field is equal to the work done in moving a unit charge from one point to
another.
Then, work is done, W = VQ and Q = I × t
W=V×I×t
From Ohm’s Law, we know that
V = IR
W = IR × I × t = I2.Rt
Since heat produced by the electric current is equal to work done, W
H=W
⇒ H (heat) = I2Rt Joule.

Resistance: Ratio of the applied voltage to the current flowing in the conductor is called
resistance of the conductor.
⇒ R = VI
S.I. Unit of resistance is VA-1 or ohm (Ω).
Resistance is the opposition offered by the conductor in the flow of current.
Practically it is
R ∝ L (L is the length of a conductor)
R ∝ 1/A (A is the area of a conductor)
So, R ∝ L/A
R = ρL/A …[Where p is proportionality constant called specific resistance of conductor
It only depend upon nature (material) and temperature of conductor.
Specific resistance or Resistivity = ρ = RA /L
It’s S.I. Unit is Qm

Combination of resistance:

 In this combination the current across every component is same but

potential across every component is different.
 If resistance R1, R2 and R3 are connected in series with a battery of Potential
V, then equivalence resistance of the combination
R = R1 + R2 + R3

The parallel combination of resistance:

 In this combination the current across every component is different. But

potential across every component is the same.
  If resistance R1, R2 and R3 are connected in parallel with a battery of
Potential V, then equivalence resistance of combination
1R=1R1+1R2+1R3

Electric Energy is amount of work done to maintain the continuous flow of electric
current in the circuit.
Its S.I. unit is joule (J).

Electric power (P): The electric work done per unit time is called electric power.
Electric Power = ElectricworkdoneTimetaken
or P = Wt
Electric power is also defined as the electric energy consumed per unit time.
P = Et
S.I. unit of electric power is Watt. When one joule of energy is used for one second,
electric power is equal to one watt.
Derivation of formula for electric power:
We know that electric work done, W = V × I × t or P = VItt
P = VI
Electric power in watts = Volts × ampere
Also V = IR …[According to Ohm’s Law]
So P = IR × I
P = I2R
We know that I = VR
P = (VR)2 × R = V2R Watt
The maximum value of electric current that can pass through an electric appliance
without damaging electric appliance is called current rating of electric appliance.