Chapter 1

Chapter 1: DC Voltage.
I. Revision:
A. Dry cell:
• A dry cell is an electric generator (that moves the electrons in the circuit)
• Each dry cell has two terminals: one marked positive and the other marked negative.
B. Electric circuit.
An electric circuit consist of:

• An electric generator (dry cell).
• An electric appliance (lamp; motor; resistor, etc …).
• Connecting wires.
• A switch. ( controls the circuit)
If the switch is open, no electricity flows in the circuit
If the switch is closed, electricity flows in the circuit.
C. Representing an electric circuit by a diagram.
Based on your grade 7 knowledge, draw the symbol for each of the components mentioned in the table below.
Component Lamp Dry cell Open switch Closed switch Electric

motor
Symbol
II. Electric voltage and electric current.

A. Electric current “I” (Intensity)
• The dry cell is the source of electric current.
• The electric current is denoted by the letter I (coming from the word intensity)
• The electric current is measured in the SI unit in Ampere, symbolized as A.
• mA→A (÷1000) kA →A (×1000)
• The electric current I is measured by using an ammeter or multimeter functioning as an ammeter.
• The electric has is represented by an arrow on the electric circuit.
• The electric current has a definite direction; by convention, it flows out of the positive terminal of the dry
cell and enters the negative terminal.
Please enter to the site
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/circuit-construction-kit-dc/latest/circuit-construction-kit-dc_all.html
Create your own circuit; draw it by using symbols and draw the direction of the electric current.
B. Electric voltage.
• The electric voltage is denoted by the letter U.
• The electric voltage is measured in volt of symbol V.
• The electric voltage is measured by using a voltmeter or multimeter
functioning as voltmeter
• When the current passes through the lamp/motor, any component, the
lamp has a voltage U across it terminals.
• Other units are used to express electric voltage:
❖ Kilovolt kV: 1kV=1000V (kV➔ V) (×1000)
❖ millivolt mV: (mV➔ V) (÷1000)
Summary:
Electric current Electric voltage
denoted by I; for example I=2A denoted by U; for example U=12 V
SI unit is ampere of symbol A SI unit is the volt of symbol V
Instrument used to measure the electric current is Instrument used to measure the electric voltage is
the ammeter the voltmeter
Has a specific direction; flows out from the positive
pole of the dry cell and enters its negative pole
III. Electric voltage U and electric current I in a series circuit.

A. Electric voltage
Remark 1:
The two lamps (L1) and (L2) are connected in series;
which means that they are connected one next to the
other forming one single loop.
Remark 2:
In general , The elctric voltage across the dry cell is
mentioned on it.
- For example UDry cell=12 V
- Or we can say UPN=12 V
Remark 3:
The electric voltage across the closed switch (K) is : D
- U(K)=0 V
- Or UPC= 0V
Remark 4:
- The electric voltage across the connecting wire (BN) is : UBN=0V;
- The electric voltage across the connecting wire (DA) is : UDA=0V;
Remark 5:
Law of addition of voltages in a series circuit :
UPN = UPC + 𝐔𝐂𝐃 + UDA + 𝐔𝐀𝐁 + UBN
Such that:
- UPC =0 V ( the switch (K) is closed)
- UDA = 0 𝑉 ((DA) is a connecting wire)
- UBN = 0 𝑉 ( (BN) is a connecting wire)
If UPN = 12 𝑉 and UAB = 8 𝑉
Calcualte UCD
UPN = UPC + 𝐔𝐂𝐃 + UDA + 𝐔𝐀𝐁 + UBN
12 = 0 + 𝐔𝐂𝐃 + 0 + 8 + 0
12 − 8 = 𝐔𝐂𝐃
4 𝑉 = 𝐔𝐂𝐃
Remark 6:
When we open the switch/ we cut a wire :
- The voltage across the dry cell remains the same UPN=12 V
- There is no electric current in the circuit I=0 A.
- The lamp (𝐿1 )will turn off UCD = 0 V
- The lamp (𝐿2 )will turn off UAB = 0 V
- The voltage across the open switch is not zero it is the same as the voltage across the dry cell;
Uopen switch = UDry cell = 12 V
Remark 7:
The electric current I is the same at any point in the
circuit.
Idry cell = I(L1) = I(L2)
This is called law of uniquensess of current in a sweries

circuit.
Remark 8:
Application 1:
Consider the circuit in the adjacent figure. This circuit consists of:
- A dry cell supplying, between its terminals a constant voltage
𝐔𝐏𝐍 = 𝟏𝟐 𝐕;
- Two lamps (L1) and (L2);
The current passing through (L2) is 0.15 A and the voltage across
the terminals of (L1) is 𝐔𝐀𝐁 = 𝟓 𝐕.
1. Indicate, with justification, the value of the current sent by the
dry cell and the current passing through (L1).
I(L1) = I(L2) = Idry cell = 0.15 𝐴
Justification: according to the law of uniqueness of current in

series.
2. Give the values of the voltages UPA and UDN .
UPA = 0 𝑉 (PA) is a connecting wire
UDN = 0 𝑉 (DN) is a connecting wire
3. Determine the voltage UCD across the terminals of (L2).

UPN = UPA + 𝐔𝐀𝐁 + UBC + 𝐔𝐂𝐃 + UDN
12 = 0 + 5 + 0 + 𝐔𝐂𝐃 + 𝟎
12 − 5 = 𝐔𝐂𝐃
7𝑉 = 𝐔𝐂𝐃
4. If the connecting wire PA is cut.
4.1. What is the value of the current passing through (L1) in this case?
I(L1) = 0 𝐴
4.2.Give the values of the voltages UPN , UCD , and UAB .
UPN = 12V; UCD = 0V and UAB = 0V.
Application 2:
In the circuit of the adjacent figure, the voltage across the lamp is 3V
and the voltage across the motor is 2V.
1. Indicate the value of the voltage UAB across the closed switch (K).
2. Indicate the values of the voltages UPC 𝑎𝑛𝑑 UBN .
3. Determine the voltage UPN across the generator.
4. When the switch is open. What is the voltage across it?
Solution:
Given:
- The voltage across the lamp is 3V: UCD = 3V
- The voltage across the motor is 2V: UDA = 2V
1. UAB = 0 𝑉 since the switch (K) is closed.
2. UPC = 0 𝑉 since (PC) is a connecting wire.
UBN = 0 𝑉 since (BN) is a connecting wire.
3. UPN =?
According to the law of addition of voltages
UPN = UPC + UCD + UDA + UAB + UBN
UPN = 0 + 3 + 2 + 0 + 0
UPN = 5V
4. Uopen switch = UDry cell = 5 V
Or the voltage across an open switch is equal to the voltage across the dry cell which is 5 V

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1: DC Voltage.

An electric circuit consist of:

Component Lamp Dry cell Open switch Closed switch Electric

II. Electric voltage and electric current.

III. Electric voltage U and electric current I in a series circuit.

This is called law of uniquensess of current in a sweries

I(L1) = I(L2) = Idry cell = 0.15 𝐴

Justification: according to the law of uniqueness of current in

2. Give the values of the voltages UPA and UDN .

UPA = 0 𝑉 (PA) is a connecting wire

UDN = 0 𝑉 (DN) is a connecting wire

3. Determine the voltage UCD across the terminals of (L2).

You might also like