Current Electricity

Electric Potential

So, by now you must have understood electric potential and potential difference.

Let us define these two for you −

• Electric potential of a point in an electric field is defined as the work to be done to

move a unit positive charge from infinity to that point.

• Potential difference between two given points in an electric field is defined as the
amount of work to be done to move a unit positive charge from one point to the
other.

Potential difference (V) =

Do you know?
The SI unit of electric potential is volt (V), named after the great physicist,
Alessandro Volta (1745−1827).

A chemical reaction within a cell develops a difference in potential between both its
terminals. When a cell is connected to a circuit, the potential difference causes the
charge to flow and hence, the current is flowing through the circuit.

If we substitute the SI units of work done [i.e., Joule (J)] and charge [i.e., coulomb (C)]
in the following relation, we get

V=

⇒1V=

Hence, we can define potential difference between two points as 1 J of work that is
required to move 1 C of charge between two points.
• The potential difference between two points is measured with the help of a voltmeter.
For this purpose, it is connected across the points from where the potential is to be
measured.

Do you know?

We can get an electric shock if we touch a naked live wire.

Electric current tends to flow due to the potential difference that

exists between the Earth and a wire (as the wire acquires a
positive value). Therefore, when we touch a naked live wire, our
body provides the current a bridge or link to flow from high
potential (wire) to zero potential (Earth) via our body. This flow
results in an electric shock, which can prove to be fatal.

Do you know?

Birds sitting on live wires do not

get electrocuted.

Potential difference is a must for

current to flow. Birds do not get
electrocuted while sitting on live
transmission wires because their
bodies do not provide a bridge or link
for the electrons to flow. The potential
of a bird’s body is zero before coming
in touch with a wire. When a bird sits
on a wire, its body potential rises and
becomes equal to the potential of the
wire. If a person standing on the
ground touches the bird, then both will
get an electric shock. This is because
the person’s body would provide a link
for the electrons to pass on to the
Earth.

Electric Cell
 We know that charge flows from higher potential to lower potential, till the equipotential
condition is reached. When two conductors at different potentials are connected through
a metal wire, charge starts flowing from higher potential to lower potential. This flow of
charges is called electric current. The amount of electric current is defined as the total
flow of charge per unit time.

Flow of current between two conductors is not permanent; the conductors reach at the
same potential quickly and the current stops flowing. To have a continuous supply of
current, we must maintain a constant potential difference between the conductors all the
time. To maintain a steady flow of current, i.e. to maintain a constant potential
difference, we use electric cell.

Electric Cell

An electric cell is a device used for maintaining permanent potential difference with the
simplest arrangement between the conductors. Its job is to simply bring electrons
already in the conductors in motion.

There are two types of electric cells:

• Primary Cell − In a primary cell, chemical energy is directly converted to electrical

energy.

For example, simple voltaic cell, Leclanche cell

• Secondary Cell− In a secondary cell, electric energy is stored in the form of chemical
energy, which is converted into electric energy on demand.

For example, lead acid cell, Ni−Cd cell

Electromotive Force (emf)

When current drawn from a cell is zero, the circuit is said to be an open circuit. In an
open circuit, the potential difference between the two terminals of a cell is
called electromotive force.

Emf of a cell depends on the following factors:

• Materials of plates used in the cell

• Nature of electrolyte used

Emf remains constant even if the shapes or sizes of the plates of a cell are changed.

Simple Voltaic Cell

A simple electric cell was invented in 1800 by Alessandro Volta. It was the first device
capable of maintaining a constant potential difference between two plates with chemical
energy. The cell was named Voltaic Cell after the inventor.

Construction: It consists of two metallic plates of copper and zinc. Each plate is
attached with a brass terminal.

The plates are placed in a glass vessel with the terminals connected to a voltmeter
through insulated copper wires.

The voltmeter records a potential difference of 1.10 volts, when sulphuric acid is poured
into the container.

It was assumed by Volta that the copper plate acted as the positive terminal and the
zinc as the negative, and the current flew externally from copper to zinc.

Theory: Ionisation potential of zinc is −0.76 volts and ionisation potential of copper is
0.34 volts.

As ionisation potential of copper is more than that of zinc, zinc is more electropositive
than copper.

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is used as an electrolyte in the ionised state.

H2 SO4 2H+ + SO42−

When the zinc plate comes in contact with hydrogen ions (H+), hydrogen ions, being
more electropositive, ionise zinc to form zinc ions and free electrons.

Zn Zn2+ + 2e-
The free electrons move out in the external circuit towards the copper plate as they take
the passage of least resistance. However, the zinc ions enter in the dilute sulphuric
acid.

Since Zn2+ ions are positively charged, they repulse hydrogen ions and hydrogen ions
crowd up at the copper plate.

Copper in turn starts losing electrons to hydrogen ions, which form nascent hydrogen.

2H+ + 2e- 2H

This nascent hydrogen combines to form molecular hydrogen.

2H H2

The above reactions show how free electron or charge drifts from zinc plate to copper
plate in the external circuit. Therefore, it is deduced that electron flows from zinc to
copper.

However, by convention, we say that current flows from copper to zinc, when actually
free electrons flow from zinc to copper.

Emf between zinc and copper = 0.34 − (−0.76) = 1.10 V

Drawback of this cell is that it cannot give current for more than 10 minutes as it has
serious defects such as local action and polarisation.

Electrical Symbols

Ranveer felt that it was absurd to draw the diagrams of different components of an
electrical circuit. His friend Kailash told him a convenient way of drawing these
components. He suggested Ranveer to draw the symbolic representations of these
components. Ranveer wanted to know what these symbolic representations of
common components are.

An electric circuit consists of various electrical components such as a source, a device

(a bulb), a switch, connecting wires, etc. The symbols of these components must be
used to represent an electric circuit on paper. Hence, symbols play a very important role
in the construction of electric circuits.

Description of Symbols

Electric cell
Its symbol has two parallel lines: one is longer than the other and they are separated by
a small distance. Since electric cells have two terminals, the longer line represents the
positive terminal, while the shorter one represents the negative terminal, as shown in
the given figure.

Electric bulb

Its symbol consists of a small section of spiral wire that is enclosed within a circle. Its
two terminals are represented by two straight lines, as shown in the given figure.

Switch in ‘OFF’ position

A switch has a clip that can be attached to another terminal. If the clip is not attached to
the terminal, then the switch is in the ‘OFF’ position, as shown in the given figure.

Switch in ‘ON’ position

If the clip has been attached to the other terminal, then it is in the ‘ON’ position as
shown in the given figure.

Wire

Wires connect each component to make an electric circuit.

Battery

A battery is a combination of two or more cells connected in a line. Its symbol can be
drawn by connecting the longer line of the symbol of one cell to the shorter line of the
other cell, as shown in the given figure.

The above discussion on the symbolic representation of electric circuits can be

summarized in a tabular form as

S. No. Electric component Symbolic representation

 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Many household devices such as radios, electric toys, remote controls, etc. use a
combination of cells.

However, some devices use batteries in which cells are placed side by side, as shown
in the given figure.
 A combination of four cells

Some more instruments and their symbols used in an electric circuit

Ammeter: It is an instrument used to measure electric current in an electric circuit. It is

always connected in series with other electrical components so that the entire current
passes through it. It is symbolically represented by letter A.

Galvanometer: This instrument detects very weak current in an electric circuit or is

used to know the direction of flow of current in a circuit. It is connected in the same
manner as an ammeter is connected in a circuit. It is symbolically represented by letter
G.

Voltmeter: It is an instrument used to measure the potential difference between any

two points in an electric circuit. It is always connected in parallel to the flow of current. It
is symbolically represented by letter V.

Load: It is any another appliance connected in an electric circuit. It can be a resistance,

a bulb,a heated etc. or a combination of electric appliances. Symbolically, it is
represented by letter L.
Can you draw the symbolic representation of the battery used in a torch?

Electric Circuit
An unbroken path or line that makes electrical current flow possible through conducting
wires connected to other resistances is known as an electric circuit. The figure below
shows different components in an electrical circuit.

Circuit Diagrams

How do you construct an electric circuit?

You should follow some precautions while handling electric devices and circuits.

•Do not touch any device when it is connected to the mains

•Do not use the mains as the source of energy while constructing a simple circuit

•Do not use your teeth to peel the wires

Collect two bulbs, a switch, a battery that consist of two
cells, and a piece of electric wire of sufficient length. Cut
the wire in four pieces with the help of a wire cutter.
Connect the two terminals of the battery with both bulbs
using two pieces of wires. Connect the switch with the
terminals of both bulbs using the two remaining pieces
of wires.

[Note: You can refer to the given circuit diagram]

Keep the switch in the ‘ON’ position. Do both bulbs glow simultaneously? If the
filament of one bulb is broken, then what will happen to the other bulb? Will the
circuit become incomplete? Will the current still flow in the circuit? Is a circuit with a
broken filament similar to the circuit in which the switch is in the ‘OFF’ position?

The circuit is complete in the ‘ON’ position. Hence, current passes through both the
bulbs and they glow simultaneously. If the filament of one bulb is broken, then the circuit
becomes incomplete and the other bulb does not glow. Therefore, this situation is
similar to that of a circuit in which the switch is in the ‘OFF’ position.

Such circuits where the appliances in connection operates simultaneously once

the switch is closed are known as series circuits. In series circuit, the working of
each appliance is dependent on each other.

Now using two bulbs, two switch, battery that

consist of two cells, and six pieces of electric
wires of sufficient length, construct a circuit as
shown in the figure.

The circuit will be complete for both the bulbs when both the switches are closed.
Hence, current passes through both the bulbs and they glow simultaneously.
Now, if S1 is opened, the circuit for bulb B1 breaks whereas for B2, it still remains
complete.

Thus, current flows through bulb B2 and it glows. Similarly, the bulb B1 glows
even if S 2 is opened. Now, if the filament of one bulb is broken, then the circuit
becomes incomplete for that bulb only and hence it stops glowing. But the circuit is still
complete for the other bulb. Therefore, the current still flows through it keeping it in the
glowing state.

Such circuits where the working of each appliance is independent of each other
are known as parallel circuits.

Construct an electrical circuit consisting of a cell, a switch, and a bulb in such a

way that the bulb does not glow.

Electric Current

Electricity requires a link to flow from cells. Do you know how electricity flows through
an electrical circuit? What constitutes a current in the circuit?

Electric charge

The distribution of charge in a body is measured in coulombs. The quantization of

charge requires that a charge on a body always remain the integral multiple of charges
in an electron. Therefore, we have the relation

Q = ne

Where, Q is the charge on the body

n is the number of electrons

e is the charge on electrons (1.6 × 10−19)

The SI unit of electric charge is coulomb, denoted by the letter ‘C’.

Number of electrons in 1 C of charge

Total charge possessed by one electron = 1.6 × 10−19 C

i.e., 1 electron = 1.6 × 10−19 C

⇒1C= electrons

Or, 1 C = 6.25 × 1018 electrons

Hence, we can say that one coulomb of electric charge contains 6.25 × 10 18 electrons.

Electric current (Flow of charges)

The directed flow of negative charges (i.e. electrons) through a wire is called an electric
current. A current is said to be flowing if a closed link has been provided for the
electrons. This link is called the electric circuit. An electric circuit provides a continuous
path for the electrons to flow, and hence constitute an electric current.

The magnitude of an electric current is defined as the amount of electrons passing

through a cross-sectional area of the wire within a given interval of time.

i.e., Current =

Where, I → amount of current

Q → amount of electrons flowing through a cross-section

t → time taken

The SI unit of current (I) is taken as ampere (A), named after the great physicist, Andre
Marie Ampere (1775 − 1836).

Since, the SI unit of charge is coulomb (C) and that of time is second (s), we define 1
ampere (A) as,

i.e., 1 ampere is 1 coulomb of charge flowing through a conductor in one second.

An Ammeter is used to measure the amount of current flowing in a circuit. The ammeter
is always connected besides the electric components of a circuit.
The smaller units of current are expressed in millliampere (mA) and micro ampere (µA).
The relation between them is given by:

Direction of the electric current

It is well known that current is the flow of negatively charged particles i.e. electrons.
Since like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other, the negative
terminal of the cell pushes the electrons, and the positive terminal attracts them.

Hence, the electrons flow from the negative terminal of the battery to the positive
terminal via the electric components such as the bulb placed between them.

Conventionally, the direction of an electric current is taken as opposite to the direction of

an electric charge. Hence, electric current flows from the positive terminal to the
negative terminal via the bulb.

What makes the electrons, and hence the current to flow in a circuit?

It is the difference in potential that tends to push the electrons across the circuit, which
in turn is responsible for the flow of current.

You know that potential difference between two points can be compared with the
difference between the water levels in two connected containers.

In the same way, the flow of electric current can be compared with the flow of water
between the water columns. Water always flows from higher level to lower level.
Similarly, electric current always flows from high potential to low potential.

Do you know how the flow of electric current occurs?

The answer is very simple. The flow of electric current occurs because of the flow of
charged particles. In metallic conductors, the charged particles are electrons. Therefore,
we can say that the flow of electric current is nothing but a flow of electrons.

The Direction of Electric Current

By convention, we consider the direction of electric current to be the same as the

direction of flow of positively charged particles. As electric current in a conductor is the
flow of electrons, which are negatively charged particles, the direction of flow of
current is opposite to the direction of flow of electrons.

Let us now understand how electric current flows.

Amount of Electric Current

By now, we know that electric current is the flow of charged particles in a conductor.
Therefore, the amount of current is also related to the amount of charge. The amount of
electric current in a conductor is the flow of total charge per unit time.

The unit of electric current is ampere (A). It is defined as the flow of one coulomb of
charge in one second.

Ohm's Law
Construct a simple electric circuit using a battery having 5 cells of equal potential V, a
resistor of resistance R, and a switch. Connect a voltmeter and an ammeter across and
along the resistor respectively (as shown in the given figure).

Make sure that initially the circuit is connected with only one cell. Now, switch on the
circuit and measure the readings in both the ammeter and the voltmeter. Note these
readings in the table given below.

Now, connect the circuit with two cells and measure the readings in the voltmeter and
the ammeter. Repeat the process using three, four, and five cells respectively and note
the readings in each case. An example is tabulated below.
Number of Potential difference Current flowing in circuit (A)
cells between M and N
1 2 1
2 4 2
3 6 3
4 8 4
5 10 5

Now, plot a graph between the potential difference and the current for these five
readings. Draw the potential difference on x-axis and current on y- axis. You will
observe that the graph between the two quantities comes out to be a straight line. What
is the significance of this straight line?
 You know that current is a flow of electric charge. These charges flow from one point to
another when a potential difference exists between the two points. How do we relate
potential difference with current?

If you calculate the ratio VIVI for all five cases, then you will get the same value
approximately. This implies that the ratio VIVI is constant. It does not depend on the
number of cells used in the circuit. Hence, we can say that the potential difference (V)
is directly proportional to current (I). Thus,

V ∝I

This relation is known as Ohm’s law.

According to this law, under constant physical condition i.e. constant temperature,
pressure etc. the applied potential difference is directly proportional to the current
flowing in the circuit.

Or, V = RI

Where R is a constant of proportionality called resistance of the resistor, it tends to

resist the flow of charge through a conducting wire. Its SI unit is Ohm (Ω).

Thus, we can write Ohm’s law as

Hence, according to Ohm’s law, current is

1. Directly proportional to potential difference.

2. Inversely proportional to resistance.
If the potential difference is doubled (keeping resistance the same), current will also get
doubled. On the other hand, if resistance is doubled (keeping potential difference the
same), current will reduce to half.

Ohmic resistors:

Conductors which follow the ohm's law at constant temperature are called ohmic
resistors. Examples: All metallic conductors (Copper, Aluminium, silver etc.), copper
sulphate solution with copper electrodes, and dilute sulphuric acid, etc.

A straight line graph passing through the origin is obtained between potential
difference V and current I for such resistors. This means that the ratio of V and I i.e. R is
constant for all values of V or I.

Non-ohmic resistors:

Conductors which do not follow the ohm's law are called non-ohmic resistors.
Examples: LED, solar cell, junction diode, transistor, bulb filament etc.

A non-linear graph is obtained between potential difference V and current I for such
resistors. This means the ratio of V and I i.e. R does not remains constant for
such resistors.

Example:

In an electrical circuit, what is the resistance offered by a bulb to a flow of charge if the
ammeter and the voltmeter show a reading of 2 A and 12 V respectively?

Solution:

Given that,

Potential difference, V = 12 V
And current, I = 2 A

According to Ohm’s law, potential difference

V = IR

Hence, 6 Ω resistance is offered by the bulb to the flowing charge.

Example:

In the given electric circuit, the potential of the battery is 24 V.

When a copper wire is connected between points M and N, the ammeter reads 5 A,
whereas when a chromium wire of the same length and thickness is connected between
points M and N, the ammeter reads 2 A. Can you tell which wire offers greater
resistance to the flow of charges?

Solution:

Given that,

potential difference for both the wires, V = 24 V

For Copper wire:

Current, I = 5 A

On applying Ohm’s law, we get

⇒ V = IR

For Chromium wire:

Current, I = 2 A

On applying Ohm’s law, we get

V = IR

Since, Rcr is greater than Rcu, chromium wire will offer greater resistance in comparison
to copper wire. Hence, Ohm’s law shows that chromium wire is a poor conductor of
electricity as compared to copper wire.

Electric Resistance and Electron Drift

We know that good conductors have free electrons on their surfaces. These electrons
move randomly in all directions in a conductor, such that there is no net flow of
electrons in a particular direction.

Hence, no current flows in a conductor till some external potential difference is not
applied. Now, the question is what happens in a conductor when an external potential is
applied to it? To understand this, we first need to know how free electrons move in a
conductor.

There are a few assumptions we make to understand the microscopic view of the
movement of free electrons. These are—

Electrons are free to move anywhere in a conductor. This can easily be understood by
the fact that the force exerted by the protons on the free electrons is very small.

As the sizes of the electrons are very small as compared to those of the atoms, we also
assume that electrons do not collide with one another, but only collide with the atoms of
a metal. Thus, electrons change directions continuously.
So, when we apply an external field, electrons drift very slowly in one particular direction
by slightly modifying their random motion. Electrons do not start moving in a straight line
in a particular direction when external potential difference is applied. Their movement is
still random. It is just that there is a net displacement of electrons in the direction
opposite to that of the field. For the sake of simplicity, the electrons in the following
figure are shown to be drifting in only one particular direction.

The motion of electrons continues to be random even after an external field is applied
because they keep colliding with the other atoms. Hence, we can conclude that these
collisions slow down the passage of current, or we can also say:

‘The more the number of collisions, the more is the resistance offered by a conductor.’

Electric resistance can be defined as the obstruction or opposition to the drifting

electrons.

Electric resistance completely depends on the nature of a conductor.

Units of Resistance:

Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).

If a current of 1 amp flows through a conductor, when its ends are maintained at a
potential difference of 1 V, then the conductor is said to have a resistance of 1 Ω.

Factors Affecting Resistance of a Conductor

Do you know why it is advisable to use thick conducting wires in wiring?

This is related to the amount of resistance offered by wires used in circuits. We know
that resistance is a natural tendency of the conductors to oppose the flow of electric
charge from it. Hence, it causes a loss of electricity and should be minimised. This can
be achieved by using thick conducting wires.

Here, we will discuss the different factors on which resistance of a conductor depends.
Factors that affect resistance

Construct an open circuit with open ends M and N (as shown in the figure). Take six
pieces of wire with dimensions as given below.

Case (i) Copper wire → of length MN of the given cross-section.

Case (ii) Copper wire → of length greater than MN having the same cross-section.
Case (iii) Copper wire → of length less than MN having the same cross section.
Case (iv) Copper wire → of length MN but a comparatively thicker cross-section.
Case (v) Copper wire → of length MN but comparatively a thinner cross-section.
Case (vi) Chromium wire → of length MN and of same cross-section as in case (i).

Connect copper wire of case (i) between the open points M and N, and note the
readings in the ammeter. The reading will give you the amount of current flowing
through the copper wire.

Similarly, connect wire of case (ii) and note the reading in the ammeter. Repeat the
process with the remaining four wires and make a table of your readings in each case.
Scrutinize the readings and compare them with the dimensions of the wire. Does the
current depend on the length, cross-section, and nature of the material used?

You will notice that the amount of current that flows through wire in case (i) is greater
than that flowing through wire in case (ii). What does this mean? This means that a
long wire offers greater resistance in comparison to a short wire. Also, resistance
decreases with an increase in the cross-sectional area.

Similarly, if you allow the current to flow in each wire for a relatively longer period, you
will find that there is a decrease in current. Hence, from this activity we can say that
resistance of a conductor depends on the following:

I. Length of the conductor

II. Cross-sectional area of the conductor

III. Temperature of the conductor

IV. Nature of the material used

 Symbol of resistor

I. length of the wire

Resistance is directly proportional to the length of the conductor i.e.

R∝l

Where, l → length of the conductor

II. Cross-section of the conductor

Resistance is inversely proportional to the area of cross-section of the conductor i.e.

A → area of cross-section

• Since conductors have a circular cross-section, the area of cross-section is directly

proportional to the square of the radius of the cross-section i.e.

r → radius of the cross-section

When the diameter of a conductor is made double, its resistance becomes one
fourth.

Thus, we can write,

R ∝ l/A

Or,
 Where, is the proportionality constant, called the electrical resistivity of the material
of the conductor. It is also known as specific resistance.

The resistivity or specific resistance of a substance is equal to its resistance, if it has a

unit length and unit cross-sectional area.

The SI unit of resistivity is Ω m (Ohm-meter).

• Resistivity is the characteristic property of a material. It only depends on the nature of

the material and not its dimensions. This is one of the major differences between
resistance and resistivity. But like resistance, resistivity also varies with temperature.

Conductivity

The reciprocal of resistivity is known as conductivity. Its SI unit

is ohm−1metre−1 or Ω−1m−1 or siemen metre−1.

Rheostat or variable resistance:

It is a device used in an electric circuit by which we can continously change the

resistance of the circuit. It does this by varying the length of the resistance wire used in
circuit.

Graphic

Resistance box

It is a box consisting of several resistances of different values connected in series. As

per the circuit requirement, resistance of any desired value can be achieved by
removing or inserting the key from the box.
III Temperature of the conductor

Experimentally, it is found that resistance of a conductor increases with the temperature

and vice-versa. But resistance of alloys such as nichrome, constantan etc. is only
slightly affected by temperature. Hence, alloys are better suited in electrical circuits.

Semiconductors

Germanium and silicon offer resistance lying between the resistances of conductors and
insulators. Hence, these are called semiconductors. Their resistivity decreases with
temperature, in contrast to conductors and alloys.

Semiconductors have great importance because their conducting properties change

with temperature, impurity, concentration etc.

IV Nature of the material

In the above activity, you will notice that the reading in the ammeter for wire in case (i) is
greater than the reading for wire in case (vi).

This means that a copper wire offers less resistance than a chromium wire of the same
length and cross-sectional area, on the nature of the material used.

Hence, it can be deduced that the resistance of a conductor depends on the nature of
the material used.

The following table shows the resistivity of some materials at 20 °C.

Category Material Resistivity (in Ω m)

Conductors Silver 1.60 × 10–8

 Copper 1.62 × 10–8

Aluminium 2.63 × 10–8

Tungsten 5.20 × 10–8

Nickel 6.48 × 10–8

Iron 10.0 × 10–8

Chromium 12.9 × 10–8

Mercury 94.0 × 10–8

Manganese 184 × 10–8

Manganin (Cu – Mn – Ni) 44 × 10–8

Alloys Constantan (Cu – Ni) 49 × 10–8

Nichrome (Ni – Cr – Mn – Fe) 100 × 10–8

 Germanium 0.6

Semiconductors

Silicon 2300

Glass 1010 – 1014

Paper 1012

Insulators Hard rubber 1013 – 1016

Diamond 1012 – 1013

Ebonite 1015 – 1017

Interesting Fact:

Superconductivity

The phenomenon of superconductivity was discovered by K. Onnes in 1911. He

discovered that the resistance of mercury fell abruptly to zero on lowering its
temperature below 4.2 K. This means that if a current is passed through a
superconducting wire it will continue to flow forever!

Conductors and Insulators

Switches, electrical plugs, wires, and sockets should be made up of materials that allow
electricity to pass through them. However, electrical wires, plug tops, switches, and
other parts of electrical appliances are covered with rubber and plastic so that a person
does not get an electric shock. How are these two kinds of materials different from
each other?
Precautions while working with electricity

While working with electric appliances or any electric circuit, you are advised to use a
screwdriver instead of using your hand. Have you ever wondered why?

Let us see what is special about a screwdriver that makes it suitable for working with
electrical appliances.

In absence of a screwdriver, you are advised to wear rubber gloves or slippers while
working with electricity. Do you know why?

It is because rubber does not allow electric current to pass through it. We will not get an
electric shock when we touch appliances carrying electricity if we are wearing rubber
gloves. If we touch any appliance carrying electricity with naked hands, then we may get
an electric shock.

Wet hands

You are advised not to operate electrical appliances with wet hands or when there is
water on the surface of an electrical appliance. The reason behind this is that water
allows electricity to pass through it. Though pure water, i.e., distilled water
does not allow electricity to pass through it, the presence of salts and other impurities
turns it into an electrical conductor. Hence, if you touch any appliance carrying
electricity with wet hands, there is a huge risk of getting electrocuted.

You can see many materials around you. Some of them allow electricity to pass through
them, while others do not. Therefore, you can classify them into two categories,
i.e., electrical conductors and electrical insulators. This classification is explained
below.

Electrical conductors Electrical insulators

Electricity can pass through certain Electricity cannot pass through certain
materials. These materials are known as materials. These materials are known as
electrical conductors. electrical insulators.

All metals (for example, aluminium, copper,

Few examples of good electrical
iron, and steel) are good conductors of
insulators are plastic, wood, glass, and
electricity. Therefore, electrical wires are
rubber. Therefore, plastic or rubber is
made up of metals such as aluminium and
often used to cover electrical wires.
copper.

The given table lists a few common objects/materials as electrical conductors and
insulators.
 Material/Object Flow of electricity through it Electrical Conductor or Insulator
Key Allows Conductor
Glass Does not allow Insulator
Iron nail Allows Conductor
Plastic pen Does not allow Insulator
Eraser Does not allow Insulator
Coin Allows Conductor
Chalk Does not allow Insulator
Thermocol Does not allow Insulator

Conductor or Insulator

Construct a simple electrical circuit, as shown in the given figure.

Collect samples of different types of materials such as a coin, a cork, rubber, glass,
paper, a key, a pin, a plastic scale, a wooden block, a pencil lead, candle wax, etc.
Now, insert each of these samples into the gap in the electrical circuit and observe if the
bulb glows. Complete the following classification table.
Sample Does the bulb glow? Electrical Conductor or Insulator

Coin Yes Conductor

Cork No Insulator

Is water a good conductor of electricity?

 Let us try to find the answer to this question. Construct a circuit, as
shown in the given figure.

Now, fill the beaker with distilled water and observe the bulb.
Does the bulb glow?

No, it will not glow as pure water or distilled water is an electrical

insulator.

Now, mix some salt in the water.

Does the bulb glow?

Yes, the bulb will glow as impure water is a good conductor of electricity.

Hence, it can be concluded from this activity that impure water is a good conductor
of electricity, while pure water is a good insulator of electricity.