SHEIKH ALI JAWHAR SECONDARY SCHOOL

PHYSICS NOTES FOR FORM THREES

CHAPTER THREE: ELECTRIC CURRENT

Current electricity is a branch of electricity that deals with the study of electric charges in
motion.
Electricity is an important part of our life, our lightning, heating; transport and
communication are all dependent on it.

The path by which an electric current flows is called circuit. A circuit must be complete
with no gaps. Electricians use symbols to represent the components of a circuit. Some of
these are shown.

Current, voltage and resistance

Current in a circuit:
An electric current (I) is the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑄
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐼 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇

The SI unit of current is ampere (A). 1A = 1000mA or

1mA = 10 -3A
In order for an electric current to flow a long a wire there must be
 A source of the current such as a cell or battery
 A conducting path (complete circuit)

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 Simple cirucit: an electrical circuit is a continuious conducting path along which electric
current can flow. A circuit may include a variety of electrical components such as laps,
cells, resistors, wires and ammeters. The direction of an electric current is taken by
convection from the positive terminal to the negative terminal.electrons flow in the other
way round from negative to positive.

Effects of a current: an electric current has three effects

 Heating and lighting effects: the lamp lights because the small wire inside( the
filament) is made white hot by the current.
 Magnetic effects: The plotting compass is deflected when it is placed near the wire
because a magnetic field is produced around any wire carrying a current.
 Chemical effects :

Measuring current:

The brightness of the lamp gives some idea of the size of the current, but to really measure it,
we need an ammeter. The ammeter is connected in series with the circuit. The size of an
electric current indicates the rate at which charge flows.

The electric current is measured in a unit called ampere (A).one ampere is equal to the rate of
flow of one coulomb per second, through a particular point in a circuit. One coulomb is the
charge carried by 6.25x1018 electrons. 1A=1cs-1

Example
1. Find the size of a current following through a wire when 0.8C of charge passes a point
in the wire in 2 seconds.
I = Q/t = 0.8/2 = 0.4A
2. A self starter of a motor car uses a current of 20A for 10s. What quantity of
electricity flows through the starter?
Solution

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 Q = It = 20x10 = 200C
Exercise
1. A current of 5A passes in a circuit for 20s.
a) How much charge has passed any one point in the circuit in that time?
b) How long must a current of 10mA flow in order to pass the same amount of
charge?
2. What is an electric current? What conditions are necessary for a current to flow in a
circuit?
3. An electric circuit consists of a lamp, battery, switch and connecting wires. When the
switch is closed (turned on), the lamp fails to light up. List three reasons why this
might occur?
4. In a circuit 16C of charge passes through a point in 4s. What is the size of the
current?
5. A current of 2A flows for 10seconds through a wire in motor. How much charge
passes through the wire in this time? How many electrons flow through in this time
6. Find the size of the current flowing through a wire when 0.8c of charge passes a point
in the wire in 4s?
7. Calculate the charge flowing through a wire in 5s if the current is 3A?

VOLTAGE:

When electron flows through a battery or other power supply, they gain electrical potential
energy, when the electrons flow around a circuit they lose this energy when passing through
component that have resistance for example lamps.

The energy transferred per unit charge with in battery is called the electromotive force
(EFM). The unit of electromotive force is volt (v). One volt is equal to one joule per
coulomb. The energy transferred to a circuit component per unit coulomb is called potential
difference. The term EMF and p.d are sometimes simply referred to as voltage.
work done w
𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑣 = charge Q

Since Q= It and W=VQ , then W=vit

Measuring voltage:
We measure voltage by using a voltmeter. This is connected across (in parallel) with the
component whose voltage is being measured, so that its positive terminal is connected to
wards the positive terminal of the battery. A voltmeter measures the energy given to each
coulomb of charge that passes through it.

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RESISTOR:

The component which resists or opposes the flow of electrons in any electrical or electrical
circuit is called resistor or conductor intended to have resistance, its symbol is

Resistance is the opposition to the flow of current in a circuit (the force by which it resists
flow of current). A component with a specified (fixed) resistance is called fixed resistor.
Different components have different resistances. If the resistance in a circuit is increased
current decreases and vice verse. Resistance is measured in a unit called ohm (Ω).

Factors affecting resistance:

 Temperature: for metals resistance increases with temperature, but some other
conducting materials such as graphite behave differently. The resistance decreases
with increasing temperature. This is also true for semiconductors like germanium and
silicon which are used in electronic components such as transistors.
 Length: resistance increases with length. the longer the material the higher the
resistance
 Cross-sectional area: the resistance of material depends on its cross-sectional area.
Thin wires have higher resistance as compared to thick wires.
 The kind of material: Iron has more electrical resistance than a geometrically similar
copper conductor. also resistance is less in silver(which is a better conductor) while it
is more in copper.

Ohms law:

Ohms law states that the current flowing through a metallic conductor is proportional to the
potential difference between its ends, provided the temperature and other physical conditions
of the conductor remain constant.
V V
This can be expressed as. Ohm ' s law : I  V I ; V  IR ; R
R I

Materials which obey ohm’s law are called ohmic conductors. Conductors which do
not obey this

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Law are called non-Ohmic conductors examples are diodes and filament lamp, the
graph of a non-ohmic conductors is not a straight-line,
Example.

When a 3-V battery is connected to a light, a current of 6 mA is observed. What is the

resistance of the light filament?

…………………………………………………………………………………

Internal resistance of a cell:

The internal resistance of a cell is the resistance offered by the electrolyte in a cell or
batteries. When there is no current flowing in an open circuit, a voltmeter records the emf( E)
of a cell.

When the circuit is connected to an external resistance(R) and closed, the value recorded in
the voltmeter drops. The difference in these two readings is the lost volts due to internal
resistance of the cell(r). The terminal potential difference is represented as V. the
electromotive force (emf) is the sum of the terminal potential difference and the lost volts.

𝑒𝑚𝑓 = 𝑉 + 𝑖𝑟

𝑒𝑚𝑓 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐼 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙.

Example5: two resistors whose resistances are R and 5Ω are connected in series to a battery
of 24V and internal resistance of 1Ω. If the current in the circuit is 3A, find the value of R.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Resistance and temperature

For metals resistance increases with temperature. But some other conducting materials such
as semiconductors, resistors decrease with the temperature. The temperature does not affect
the resistance of the alloys such as constantan as shown below

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Resistivity of a Material:

The resistivity ρ is a property of a material that determines its electrical resistance R.

Recalling that R is directly proportional to length L and inversely proportional to area A, we
may write:
L RA
R or 
The unit of resistivity is the ohm-meter (Ω·m) A L

Example 4. Calculate the resistivity of a wire length 40cm and cross-sectional area of 0.08m2
and resistance of 1.5Ω

SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS:

Series circuits:

A series circuit is one continuous loop. The torch circuit in figure blow, There is only one
path for the charges to flow along. There are no branches or junctions. This simple type of
circuit is called a series circuit.

In series circuit:

 One switch can turn all the components on and off together
 If one bulb is (or other component) breaks it causes a gap in the circuit and all other
bulbs will go off.
 The voltage supplied by the cell or main supply is shared between all the components,
so the more bulbs you add to a series circuit the dimmer they all become. The longer
the resistance of the component, the bigger its share of the voltage.

Summarising series circuits:

 The current is the same at all points around the circuit

 Total voltage across the circuit is the same as the sum of individual components of
voltage
VT =V1+V2+V3+ . . . . . .+Vn

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  Resistances add up, RT=R1+R2+R3+ . . . . . . Rn

Example:3

Resistors of 2Ω, 4Ω and 6Ω are connected is series and voltage of 6v applied across them,
find

c) The voltage across each resistors

Answer:
a) R=R+R+R 2Ω+4Ω+6Ω=12Ω
𝑉 6
b) 𝐼 = 𝑅 = 12 = 0.5𝐴
c) 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 = 0.5(2) = 1𝑣

a) The total resistance V2 =IR2 =0.5(4)=2v

b) The current following
V3=IR3 =0.5(6)=3v

Example(4)

What is the combined resistance of 5Ω resistor and 10Ω resistor connected in series?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………......................................................................................................

Example (5) a) Resistors of 5 ohms and 10 ohms are connected in series with a battery
supplying 3volts. What is the total resistance?

………………………………………………………………………………
(b) Calculate the current which flows in the circuit.
…………………………………………………………………………………

Example (6)
The figure shows two resistors and an
ammeter connected in series to a 6V d.c.
supply. the resistance of the ammeter is so
small that it can be ignored

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 c) What is the voltage across each
resistor?

……………………………………………
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
a) Calculate the combined resistance of ……………………………………………
the 8Ω and 4Ω resistors in series ……………………………………………
b) Calculate the current supplied by the …………………………………………
6V d.c. supply.
Resistors in parallel:

A circuit which have a junction where the electrical pathway divides or branches are called
parallel circuits.

The figure below shows bulbs connected in parallel.

In parallel circuit:

 Switches can be placed in different parts of the circuit to switch each bulb on or off
individually, or all together.
 If one bulb (or other component) breaks, only the bulbs on the same branch of the
circuit will be affected.

 Each branch of the circuit receives the same voltage. So if more bulbs are added to a
circuit in parallel they all stay bright.
Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3

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  The current is shared between them.
 We use the reciprocal formula to calculate their combined resistance
1 1 1 1
  
Rtotal R1 R2 R3

Example(6)

Two resistors of 6Ω and 3Ω are connected in parallel as the figure shows and EMF of 12v is
applied across them by a battery. Find:

a) The total resistance of the circuit

b) The current in the main circuit (total)
c) The current through each resistor.
Answer
a) 1 1 1 Hence RT =6/3=2Ω
 
R total R1 R2
b) IT = V/R=12/2=6A
c) I1 =V/r1 =12/6=2A
=1/6+1/3=3/6 I2 =IT-I1=6-2=4A

Example (7): Each of the resistors in the circuit below has a resistance of 10.

resistors

(2
b) Calculate the total resistance in the
circuit

c) Calculate the current through each of

a) Calculate the resistance of the two the resistors
parallel

Answer:

Example (8): determine the current drawn from the battery in the figure below.

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 Answer:

Example (9)
(a) Calculate the total resistance of resistors of 2 , 5  and 10  when connected:
i) In series with each other
ii) In parallel with each
other

(3 (b)In which arrangement will the current in the circuit be larger?

Explain your answer.
…………………………………………………………………
Example (10): Find the, equivalent resistance of each resistor of the circuit given below.

Example11: Billan set up the circuit shown below to investigate how the resistance
of a bulb changes as the current flowing through it changes.

…………………………………
b) What is the name of the component
labelled X? …………………….
c) What is the purpose of X in this
circuit? …………………………
Billan takes a series of readings.
She measures the voltage across
the bulb and the current passing

a) What are the names of the through it. She then plots the graph
instruments labelled Y and Z? shown below.

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 d) What current passes through the
bulb when a voltage of 6v is
applied across it? ………………..
e) What voltage is applied across the
bulb when a current of 2.0A passes
through it?
f) Calculate the resistance of the bulb
when a current of 2.0A passes
through it?
g) What happens to the resistance of
the bulb as the current passing
through it increases?

KIRCHOFFS LAWS:

Kirchhoff’s first law states: The current that flows into a junction is the same as the current
that flows out. (Charge is conserved). A junction is a place where two or more wires (or other
Components) meet.

Kirchhoff’s second law states: The total potential difference in any closed loop of a circuit
equals the sum of the potential differences in that loop.

This means;

Electromotive force of battery = sum of potential difference across the resistors

Direct current and alternating current:

Direct current:
In a direct current (d.c) the electrons flow in one direction only.
Direct current is produced by sources such as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and
commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type.

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 Graphs for steady and varying d.c. are shown in the figure below.
Cells produce direct current as a result of the potential difference between the two
electrodes and electrolyte.

There are two types of electrochemical cells namely primary and secondary cells
Primary cells:
Primary cells cannot be recharged when they discharged; examples of primary cells
are dry cells. A primary cell is a battery that is designed to be used once and
discarded, and not recharged with electricity and reused like a secondary
cell (rechargeable battery). In general, the electrochemical reaction occurring in the
cell is not reversible. When they are gone, the battery stops producing electricity and
is useless

Secondary cells:

Secondary cells can be recharged by connecting a reverse voltage across them until their
charged condition is restored. The commonest secondary cell is the lead-acid accumulator’.
This is used in car and lorry batteries.

Cell capacity:

The amount of energy which a cell( or battery of cell)can usefully store is measured in
ampere –hours (Ah).if a cell can supply a current of 2A for 20 hours, then its capacity is
2x20=40 Ah. A typical car battery might have this capacity.

Alternating current:

In alternating current (a.c.) the direction of flow is reverses regularly. Current supplied by a
generator is continually reversed, usually at a frequency of 50Hz. This is called alternating
current (a.c)

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The voltage produced by an a.c. generator increases to a maximum, then decreases to zero in
one direction, then increases to the same maximum and decreases to zero once more but in
the opposite direction. This completes one cycle.

This means that in a circuit powered by an a.c. generator, the current flows first in one
direction, then in the other, following the changes in voltage. If T is the time in seconds for
1
one complete cycle then F, the frequency, is given by 𝑓= 𝑡

The number of complete cycles in one second is the frequency of the system, measured in
hertz (Hz). The symbol for an a.c. source is …………………….

MEASURING INSTRUMENT:

Galvanometers:

A moving coil galvanometer is an instrument that is used to measure small direct currents. It
works by the deflection of a coil in magnetic field. The amount of deflection is proportional
to the current passing through the coil. If the current flow through the coil is reversed, the coil
rotates in the opposite direction. Galvanometers are usually used to measure current of the
order of mill amperes or microamperes.

The sensitivity of a galvanometer can be

increased by

 Increasing the number of turns in

the coil
 Using a thin and soft coil restoring
spring
 Using stronger magnet

Conversion of a galvanometer to an ammeter:

Since Galvanometer is a very sensitive instrument therefore it can’t measure heavy

currents. In order to convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter, a very low resistance
known as "shunt" resistance is connected in parallel to Galvanometer. Value of shunt is so

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adjusted that most of the current passes through the shunt. In this way a Galvanometer is
converted into Ammeter and can measure heavy currents without fully deflected.

Example:9

A galvanometer has a resistance of 100Ω

and gives a full-scale deflection of 1mA.
What shunt (resistance) must be used to
make the meter suitable to measure current
up to 5A?

Answer:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

Conversion of a galvanometer to a voltmeter:

A galvanometer can be adapted for use as a voltmeter by connecting a high resistor called a
multiplier in series with the meter. The multiplier takes a large share of the p.d across the
combination and so limits the current flowing through the meter.

Example:10

A galvanometer has a resistance of 100Ω

and gives a full-scale deflection of
1Ma.what resistance must be connected in
series with the meter so that it can be used
as a voltmeter to read up 1V?

Answer:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Using electricity safely:

Electricity is very useful, but it can be dangerous if it is not used safely. There are safety
devices built into houses and electrical appliances that you will learn about later, but there are
thing we can do to keep ourselves safe as well.

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Safety devises:

1- Switches: Switches control the flow of current in a circuit. In a series circuit s switch
placed anywhere in the circuit will stop the flow of current. In a parallel circuit, each branch
can have its own switch or one switch can control the whole circuit. Switch is always in the
live wire. Sometimes one switch is used for more than one light. For this to happen, the live
and neutral wires go to both light.

a) Two-way switch:

Where stair ways are lit, it is possible to switch the light on and off from two separate
switches. You need a special switch called a two-way switch. The circuit diagram for two-
way switch looks like this.

2- Pull switch:

The type of switch used in living rooms would be dangerous in bathroom, If used with wet
hands. The water could get behind the switch cover and move a conducting path way between
the live and persons hand and could give a fatal shock. Pull switches like the one shown in
the figure below are much saver.

3. Fuses

A fuse or circuit breaker is a safety device designed to limit the amount of current that can
flow in a circuit. Its size is based on the size of the wire conducting the current.

i.e 15 amp #14 wire, 20 amp #12 wire. A fuse is a piece of wire or thing metal strip made of a
metal with low melting point. If the current is exceeded then the wire will heat up too much,
the fuse melts and cause the wire to break, and disrupt the circuit.

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 4- Circuit breakers
Circuit breakers are now used in consumer units instead of fuses. They contain an
Electromagnet which, when the current exceeds the rated value of the circuit breaker,
Becomes strong enough to separate a pair of contacts and breaks the circuit. They operate
much faster than fuses and have the advantage that they can be reset by pressing a button.

5- Double insulation

Some modern appliances now use casting made from an insulator such as plastic rather than
from metal. If all the electrical parts of appliance are insulated in this way, so that they cannot
be touched by the user, the appliance is said to have double insulation. Appliances that have
double insulation use a two-wire flex. There is no need for an earth wire.

This plastic kettle has double insulation

which means that there is no need for an
earth wire.

Electric lamps
a. Filament lamps (incandescent lamps)
Filament is a small coiled coil of tungsten wire, which becomes white hot when
current flow through it. The higher the temperature of the filament the greater is the
proportion of electrical energy transferred to light and for this reason it is made of a
metal with a high melting point.
Most of them are gas-filled and contain nitrogen and argon. This reduces evaporation
of the tungsten which would otherwise condense on the bulb and blacken it. A
filament lamp transfers only 10% of the electrical energy supplied to light the other
90% becomes to heat.

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DOMESTIC WIRING:

Electrical energy available in house hold circuits originates from a power station. The current
is almost always alternating current (a.c) this type of current changes direction in the circuit
50 times per second 50Hz. The electrical cable used in house hold circuits consists of three
insulated wires. Each wire has a specific purpose and colour.

 The brown (or red) wire is the live wire. This caries the alternating current to the
appliance. The potential of the live wire varies between positive and negative.
Therefore current flows to and fro through the circuit. As the current passes through
you to the earth. Shock can easily kill you.
 The blue ( or black)wire is the neutral wire. It completes the circuit by providing the
return path to the mains. the neutral wire is earthed at the local electricity supply
substation, that is, it is at zero voltage.
 The green and yellow wire is the earth wire. This wire is for safety purposes. The
symbol for earth is …………………..
Some house hold appliances are double insulated and are not earthed. They are
connected to the live and neutral lines. Double insulation means that the appliance has
two separate layers of insulation.

Electric shock:

All mains electricity is dangerous. Electric shock burns and fire can result from faulty circuits
or appliances.

ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND POWER:

Factors that affect electrical energy:

 Amount of current flowing

 Time taken
 Potential difference
 Resistance of the conductor

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In many circuits it is important to know the rate at which electrical energy is transferred into
other forms of energy. Energy transfer measures the work done. We saw in chapter two that
𝑊
Voltage is work per charge. 𝑉 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑄𝑉 = 𝑊 …(1)
𝑄

𝑊 𝑊
The definition of power: power is the rate of doing work 𝑃= … … … …. (2)
𝑇 𝑇

𝑄𝑉 = 𝑊 Divide each side by t

𝑄𝑉 𝑊 𝑄𝑉
= Therefore 𝑃 =
𝑡 𝑡 𝑡

𝑄
But is the current I therefore P=IV
𝑇

The rate at which energy is transferred in an electric circuit is related to two quantities

 The current(I): the greater the current the greater the power
 The potential difference (v): the greater the p.d, the greater the power.
𝑉
We also know that 𝐼 = 𝑂𝑅 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
𝑅

Then P=V2 /R or P=I2 R

The power varies as the square of the voltage and as the square of the current flowing. The
unit of electrical power is watt also the larger units of power are the kilo watt (kw) and the
mega watt (mw).

Example:11

a) If a lamp on a 240V supply has a current of 0.25A through it. Find its power
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
b) At what rate is energy is transferred by a 230V mains supply which provides a current
of 8A to an electric heater.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………….……………………………………..
c) What current flows through a 60w light bulb when it is connected 240V mains
supply?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
d) A power station produces 20MW of power at a voltage of 200KV. What current does
it supply to the grid?

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 …………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
e) A 12V car battery can supply a current of 10A for 5 hours. How much energy does it
transfer in this time?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

kilowatt-hour, consumption and cost of electrical energy.

Kilowatt-hour:

Electrical energy used in industries and houses is usually converted into either light, heat or
mechanical energy. The company supplying electricity charges for the energy consumed for a
certain period of time. Energy is measured in joules. The electricity meter which records
consumption of electricity is a joule meter.
𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦(𝑖𝑛 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠)
Power(in watts) = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠)

𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 = 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡 𝑋𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠

But the watt-second is too small a unit. The unit used in a practice is the kilowatt-hour
(KWh). A kilowatt-hour is the electrical energy used by a 1kw appliance in 1 hour.

1KWh= 1000js-1 x 3600s=3.6x106 j

Consumption of electrical energy: To determine the electrical energy consumed by an

electrical appliance, one has to know the power of the appliance and for how long the
appliance has been used continuously.

Electrical energy consumed in kilowatt-hour =power in kilowatts x time in hours.

Calculating the cost of electrical energy: to calculate the cost of electrical energy
consumed, one has to know the electrical energy in kilowatt-hour units and the rate per
kilowatt-hour.

The cost of electricity used= number of kilowatts-hour units x price per kilowatt-hour

Example: 12. Calculate the cost of using a 60W light bulb for 5hrs if the cost per unit is
6.20shilings.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Example: 13. A man uses a 750 watt electric iron to press his clothes for an average of
5hours a week. What is the cost of the electricity he uses in 4weeks, if electrical energy cost
.sh.6.20per kWh? ………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………

Example:14. An electric water heater rated at 3kWis switched on for 6 hours. How many
kilowatt-hours of electricity are used?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………..

EXERCISE:

1) An electric circuit contains of a lamp, a battery, an ammeter, a switch and connecting

wires. Draw a circuit diagram containing these components.
2) (a) In the circuit below, lamps P and Q are identical. The reading on the ammeter is
3A. The cell shown is of emf. 6V.

A
P

Calculate the current that passes through lamp P. Q

………………………………………………
(2)

(b)If a voltmeter was connected across lamp P, what would it read?

……………………………………………………………………….

(c)Calculate the resistance of lamp P. ……………………………….

3) The diagram shows a circuit with three identical lamps.
The ammeter, A1, shows a reading of 1.5 A.

a) Indicate on the diagram where you would insert a switch so that it will switch on or off
lamps L2
And L3, but will not affect lamp
L1.

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(b)What name is given to this arrangement of connecting lamps?
………………………….
(1)
(c) What will be the reading on ammeter A2?
…………………………………..
(2
(d)What will be the reading on the voltmeter?................................................

4) The diagram shows a small electric kettle. When it is connected to a 220 V power supply
1100 J of energy are transferred each second.

(ii) Calculate the current used by the

electric kettle when it is operating. Show
clearly how you obtain your answer.

……………………………………………
…………………………………
(c) (i) Write down the equation which
relates current, resistance and voltage.
a) What is the power of the kettle?
……………………………………………
…………………………………………… ………………………………………….
b) (i) Write down the equation (ii) Calculate the resistance of
which relates current, power and the heating element in the kettle. Show
voltage. clearly how you obtained.

……………………………………………
………………………………………….
3) A student is investigating the relationship between potential difference V across a resistor
and the current I in it. The figure shows the apparatus that the student is using.
a) Draw the circuit diagram of the circuit shown in the figure above. Use standard
circuit symbols
b) State which piece of apparatus in the circuit is used to control the size of the current

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4) The figure shows a low-voltage lighting circuit.

a) The figure above indicate with a dot and the letter S, a point in the circuit where a
switch could be placed that would turn off lamps Y and Z at the same time but would
leave lamp X still lit.
b) Draw the circuit symbol for a component that would vary the brightness of lamp X.
and mark with a dot and the letter R where this component should be placed.
c) The current in lamp Z is 3.0 A. Calculate the resistance of this lamp.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
d) The lamp Y is removed.
(i) Why do lamps X and Z still work normally?
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

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