Unit 02 - 1

Charge (Q/q) :
It is a very small particle present in an atom, it can be either negative charge (electron) or
positive charge (proton).
Q = ne
n is number of electrons;
e is the charge on an electron
“Coulomb” is the SI unit of charge, represented by C.

Charge on an electron = 1.6´10-19 Coulombs.
One Coulomb is equal to the flow of 6.25 ´ 108 number of electrons.
Current (I/i):
The electric current is defined as the rate of flow of charges across a cross sectional area
of a conductor is known as electric current.
Where, i = electric current,

q= charge passed through the cross section of conductor,
t= time.
Unit of electric current is Ampere (in S.I. System). Electric current is measured by the
instrument known as Ammeter. Ammeter is always connected in series with the load.
1 Ampere :- The electric current flowing through a circuit is said to be 1 ampere when 1
coulomb of charge flows through it per second.
1 mA (milli) = 10-3 A;
1 μA(micro) = 10-6 A
 An electric current is due to the drift (flow) of -

1. Electrons in a metallic conductor.
2. Positive and negative charges in an electrolyte.
3. Electrons and ions in gases in discharge tubes.
4. Electrons and holes in a semiconductor.
How Electric Current Flow in the Conductor ?

When no potential difference is applied across a conductor, the electrons are in random
motion. The average velocity of electrons is zero. The current in the conductor is zero.
When potential difference is maintained (i.e. battery is connected) across a conductor, the
electrons gain some average velocity in the direction of positive potential (towards
positive terminal of battery). And thus current is set up in the conductor. If the current is
made to pass through any useful device (load) like lamp, iron box, washing machine, TV,
Fan etc, then useful work is extracted from the respective devices.
Electric Potential:-
The work done to move a unit charge from infinity to a point in an electric field is known
as electric potential of that point. Electric Potential Difference:- The work done to move
a unit charge from one point to another point is called potential difference between the
two points. Its S.I. unit of measurement is Volt (V).
Electro Motive Force (EMF):-

Electromotive force is the maximum potential difference between two
terminals/electrodes of the supply source-Generator /Battery in open circuit condition
(No-Load). It is due to this Electromotive force the current flow through the load in a
circuit.
V = W/Q
Its S.I. unit of measurement is also Volt (V).
One Volt : When 1 Joule of work is done to carry one coulomb (1C) of charge from one
point to another of a current carrying conductor then the potential difference is send to be
1 V.
Potential difference is measured by an instrument called Voltmeter. Voltmeter is always
connected in parallel across the points between which the potential difference is to be
measured.
Relation between Voltage and current:

Georg Simon Ohm a German physicist (1787 – 1854) found the relationship between
the current (I) flowing through a conductor and potential difference (V) across the
terminals of a conductor.
Ohm’s Law states that the electric current flowing through a conductor is directly
proportion at to the potential difference across its ends, provided the temperature remain
constant.
Where “R” is the proportionality constant for the given metal at given temperature and is
said to be resistance, the graph between V and I is always straight line.
Resistance– It is the property of a conductor that opposes the flow of current. It is
represented by ‘R’ and symbol is . SI unit of resistance “Ohm” or W.
1 Ohm – The resistance of a conductor is said to be one Ohm, when the potential
difference across the conductor is 1V and the current flowing through it is 1A.
FACTORS ON WHICH RESISTANCE OF A CONDUCTOR DEPENDS–

(1) On its length (l)
(2) On its cross sectional area (A)
(3) On the nature of material
Where “ϱ ” (rho) is a proportionality constant known as resistivity of the material of
conductor.
Resistivity (ϱ) – the resistance offered by a wire of unit length and unit cross sectional
area is called resistivity.
For a material irrespective of length and area, the resistivity is a constant.

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Charge (Q/q) :

“Coulomb” is the SI unit of charge, represented by C.

One Coulomb is equal to the flow of 6.25 ´ 108 number of electrons.

Where, i = electric current,

 An electric current is due to the drift (flow) of -

How Electric Current Flow in the Conductor ?

Electro Motive Force (EMF):-

Relation between Voltage and current:

FACTORS ON WHICH RESISTANCE OF A CONDUCTOR DEPENDS–

For a material irrespective of length and area, the resistivity is a constant.

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