WELCOME

TO
YEAR 11 PHYSICS
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
 STARTER 8 marks
State Ohm’s Law. 2 mks
Derive the mathematical formulae of
Ohm’s Law. 2mks
What do you understand by:
o Ohmic substance. 2 mks
o Non-Ohmic substance 2mks
 WAGOLL!!!!
Students generate reports of
Ohm’s law based on their
previous practical experience in
the lab.
 Topic: ELECTRIC
CIRCUIT
SUB-TOPICS:

RESISTORS IN SERIES & PARALLEL

 DANGERS & SAFETY OF ELECTRICITY

 KEY VOCABULARY
 Series connection E.m.f.
 Parallel connection P.d.
 Ohmic
Lost Volt
Terminal p.d.
 Non-Ohmic
Rheostat
 Cell Potential Divider
 Internal resistance [r] Resistivity
 External resistance [R]
Conductivity
 SUCCESS
CRITERIA
ALL: should be able to solve resultants of cells/resistors in series &
parallel respectively.

MOST: should be able to solve resultants of combination of

cells/resistors in series & parallel.

SOME: Apply the Ohm’s law to a complete circuit and solve any
circuit problem .
 LEARNING
AtOBJECTIVES
the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:
Solve problems involving series and parallel
connections of resistance & cells.
 Highlight the hazards of using electricity.
Describe & explain electrical safety measures [use
of fuses, circuit-breakers & earth-wires].
LEGENDS OF ELECTRICITY
Ohm’s Law Formulae
V = IR (V)
I = V/R (A)
R = V/I (Ω)
 Group Task 10 marks
In order to verify Ohm’s law, briefly
make a detailed report an experiment
describing the features of the law.
 VIDEO ON RESISTORS IN SERIES &
PARALLEL

Learners watch a short clip on

resistors/cells in series & parallel to
reinforce the learning process.
 REFLECTION ON VIDEO
SEEN
In pairs, Leaners are to discuss about the short
clip and share ideas.
Is there any highlight from the video?
Discuss.
TEACHER’S INPUT
 Arrangement of cells:
Series Connection:
The total e.m.f. of the cells arranged in series is equal to the sum of
their individual e.m.f. of each cell. E = E1 + E2 + E3. The internal
resistance, r, of the series arrangement is the sum of the internal
resistance of each cell. r1 + r2 r3.
Quick Task for Learners
Show the arrangement of three cells arranged in series and state some
of the effects of such arrangement.
 CELLS ARRANGEMENT
 Arrangement of cells:
Parallel Connection:
In a parallel connection of cells, all the positive terminals are joined to one point, A, and all the negative
terminals are joined to another point B
If each cell has an e.m.f. E, the net e.m.f. of the parallel arrangement is also E, that of a single cell.
Quick Task for Learners
Show the arrangement of three cells arranged in parallel and state some of the effects of such arrangement.
 ARRANGEMENT OF RESISTORS
RESISTORS IN SERIES:
This is when resistors are connected end-to-end.
In such arrangement, the current passing through each
resistor, is the same but the p.d. across each resistor is
different.
The combined resistance is given by:
R = R1 + R2 + R3
 ARRANGEMENT OF RESISTORS

RESISTORS IN PARALLEL:
This is when resistors are connected side by side such that their
corresponding ends join together at two common junctions.
In such arrangement, the p.d. passing across the resistors is the same
but the current through each resistor is different.
The combined resistance is given by:
1/R =1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
 Analytical Problems
1. Three resistors of resistances 1Ω, 2 Ω, and 4 Ω are connected in series. Find the equivalent resistance of
the combination. [Show the circuit diagram]
2. If three resistors 2 Ω , 3 Ω and 5 Ω are connected in parallel in a circuit, calculate the equivalent resistance
of the combination.
3. Two cells each of e.m.f. 2V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω are connected in series. They are made to supply
current to a combination of three resistors, one of resistance 2 Ω connected in series to a parallel
combination of two other resistors each of resistance 3 Ω.
 Draw the circuit diagram and calculate:
 Current in the circuit.
 Potential difference across the parallel combination of the resistors.
 Lost volts of the battery.
[SSCE MAY/JUNE 1998; Q 3]
 INDIVIDUAL TASK
Two cells, one having an e.m.f. of 2.0V and an internal resistance
of 0.4 Ω and the other having an e.m.f. of 2.0V and an internal
resistance of 0.1Ω are connected in parallel. The combination is
then connected in series with a 5 Ω resistor.
 Draw a circuit diagram of the arrangement.
 Calculate the current through the 5 Ω resistor.
[SSCE MAY/JUNE 2011 Q; 14d ]
 PLENARY
What success criteria have you attained?
State it in your note-book.
Is there any learning gap?
Is there still any grey area that needs
further explanation?
ASSIGNMENT
1. a. Explain electromotive force.
b. A chemical cell of e.m.f. (E ) and internal resistance, r, is connected in
series with an ammeter, a plug and an external load of resistance, R. A
voltmeter is connected across the cell.
 Draw a circuit diagram to illustrate the arrangement.
For the arrangement above, with the key opened and closed, the voltmeter
readings are V0 and V respectively.
 Explain the physical meanings of V0 and V.
 Find an expression for the Current passing through the circuit;
2. What hazard can arise when the current flowing in an electrical wire is
too high? How can you solved the problem?
 TEST 20 MKS 5mins
What is the resistivity of a
cylindrical material wire whose 1.0
m length has a resistance 0f 2.0
ohms? The diameter of the wire is
0.5 mm.
 WAGOLL !!!
l = 1.0m
r = 0.5/2 mm= 0.25 mm = 2.5 x 10-4 m
A = π r2 = 22/7 x (2.5 x 10-4)2 m2
R=2Ω
From R = ρ l
A
ρ = RA/l = 2 x (22/7) x (2.5 x 10-4)2
1
= 3.93 x 10-7 Ω-m
 SUB-TOPIC: Danger & Safety of
Electrical Circuit
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:
 highlight the hazards of using electrical circuit
 describe electrical safety measures.
Explain electrical safety measures such as: fuses,
circuit-breakers, earth wires.
KEY VOCABULARY
 Cartridge fuse
 Fuse
 Live wire
 Neutral wire
 Earth wire
 Circuit breaker
 Fuse rating
 Continuity tester
 Short circuit
 Open circuit
 Closed circuit
SUCCESS
CRITERIA
 TEACHER INPUT
Fuses :
Fuses are included in circuits to stop excessive currents from flowing. If the current gets too high, cables can
burn out and fire can start.
A fuse contains a thin section of wire of low melting point (m.p.) designed to melt and break if the current gets
above a certain value. Usually, fuses are contained in cartridges, which make it easy to replace them, but some
fuses use fuse wire.
A fuse is a device that protects a circuit from excessive current by melting and thus opening the
circuit when the current exceeds a certain threshold. The fuse is connected in series with the circuit
so that the same current flows through every component
FUSE
CIRCUIT BREAKER
EARTHING
 Fuse is used to protecting a circuit.
 For example, in our house wiring, we have used a fuse. All electrical
materials that we have used in our house wiring such as
switchboards, switches, wires, etc have a current-carrying capacity
(6A, 16A or so). If the current flowing through these materials
exceeds their current carrying capacity, excess heat is generated.
This heat may be great enough to burn the wires and other
materials and start a fire.
 Short circuit is the main reason for excessive current flow in a
circuit
A short circuit happens when the phase and neutral line connect
together without resistance. If we connect a faulty(phase and
neutral short inside) electrical equipment to a plug point, there is
no resistance between phase and neutral. Therefor a huge current
( theoretically infinite) will flow through the wire, switchboard
and other materials. As I mentioned before all materials have a
current-carrying capacity. When a short circuit happens, the
materials that we have used in wiring can not handle this much
current and which leads to heat up and burn our wire and other
A short circuit happens when the phase and neutral line connect
together without resistance. If we connect a faulty(phase and
neutral short inside) electrical equipment to a plug point, there
is no resistance between phase and neutral. Therefor a huge
current ( theoretically infinite) will flow through the wire,
switchboard and other materials. As I mentioned before all
materials have a current-carrying capacity. When a short circuit
happens, the materials that we have used in wiring can not
handle this much current and which leads to heat up and burn
our wire and other materials.
GROUP TASK

A 2kw heater works on a 230v mains

supply. The current flowing through it in
normal use is 8.7A. What current rating
would a suitable fuse have? Choose from
3A, 13A and 30A.
 Answers to Group Task
 Step
1: The 3 A fuse has a current rating that is too low, and it
would blow as soon as the heater was switched on.
 Step2:The 30 A fuse would not blow, but it is unsuitable because
it would allow an excessive current (say, 20A) to flow, which
could cause the heater to overload.
 Step
3: The 13 A fuse is the correct choice, because it has the
lowest rating above the normal operating current.
 TEST 2 20 MARKS
What hazard can arise when the current flowing
in an electrical wire is too high?
Why are fuses fitted in the fuse box of a domestic
electricity supply?
What is fuse rating?
 PRACTICAL TASK [PEER TASK]
Explain how you can construct a simple
continuity tester to detect fault in
electric circuit.
SIMPLE CONTINUITY TESTER
PLENARY
Have you learnt any concept
today?
Discuss your high point in a
nut-shell.
ASSIGNMENT
Physics for Cambridge IGCSE
WORKBOOK by David Sang
& Darrell Hamilton
Page 200 – 202
Q1- 9
 END OF
LESSON
THANK YOU AND ENJOY
THE REST OF THE DAY
RESEARCH
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TABLE ASSUMING THAT PIECES OF
APPARATUS FOLLOW ohm’s law.

Apparatus Current in A p.d. in V Resistance in Ω Power in W

voltmeter 4 600

Ammeter 5 0.06

Power line 40 6

Torch Bulb 2 8

Electric Iron 220 500

Mains lamp 0.5 100