CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Current
The flow of charges in a circuit is called current.
Current (I) is measured in Amperes (A) and milli ampere (mA).
Conventional current direction is from positive to negative.
Electrons flow from negative to positive
The more the charges passing through the wire in
one second, the bigger the current is. Then we
can say that current (I) is the rate of charge
flowing. I
Q=I×t
The electric current flowing in a circuit can be measured by an
AMMETER and Ammeters are always connected in series .

symbol
In 10 second 60 C of charge flows around the circuit. Calculate the current
trough the circuit

A current of 150 mA flows around a circuit for 3 minute. How much electric charge flows
around the circuit in this time?
Example question 1
In 10 second 60 C of charge flows around the
circuit. Calculate the current trough the circuit.
Q=I×t I = = 6A

Example question 2
A current of 150 mA flows around a circuit for 3 minute. How
much electric charge flows around the circuit in this time?
First convert time into second = 3 × 60 = 180 sec
Then convert current into ampere = 150 / 100o= 0.15 A

Q=I×t Q = 0.15 × 180 = 27 C

Two meters are connected in a circuit to measure the current in a component and
the potential difference across the component.
Which meters are used and how are they connected to the component?

A an ammeter in parallel for current, a voltmeter in series for potential difference

B an ammeter in series for current, a voltmeter in parallel for potential difference

C a voltmeter in parallel for current, an ammeter in series for potential difference

D a voltmeter in series for current, an ammeter in parallel for potential difference

Electromotive force (e.m.f)
Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is measured by the energy
dissipated by a source (battery) in driving a unit charge
around a complete circuit.
Or
The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a cell can be defined as
the energy supplied to each coulomb of charge within it.

e.m.f

e.m.f In symbol ε

The unit of e.m.f is J/C or Volt (V)

Potential difference (p.d) or Voltage
Energy carried by charges is consumed in components like
resistance, lamp, or heater of the circuit. When the charges flow
through the lamps in a circuit, their energy is converted other
forms such as heat and light.
The energy converted per unit charge passing through a
component is called potential difference (p.d), across the
component.
The p.d. across a component in a circuit is given by the work
done in the component/charge passed through the component.

The unit of potential difference is volt (V)

Potential difference across a component in a
circuit is measured by a voltmeter.
Voltmeters are always connected parallel to the
device.

symbol
Cells in series
When cells are connected in series the combined e.m.f.
is the sum of all the individual e.m.f.’s.
e.g.

Combined e.m.f. = 1.5V + 1.5V + 1.5V = 4.5V

Cells in parallels
When cells are connected in parallel, the combined e.m.f. is the
e.m.f. less then or equal to one individual cell.
e.g.

Combined e.m.f=1/v =1/v1 +1/v2 + 1/v3

 Now try this?
Calculate the combined e.m.f of the following cells.

Combined e.m.f = 1/6 + 1/6 +

1/6 = 2V

The advantages of connecting cells in parallel

•The cell will last longer before they need to be replaced.
•A higher current can be supplied.
Resistance (R)
How much current can a cell push through a resistor?
This depends on the resistance of the resistor.
The greater its resistance, the smaller the current that will flow
through it.
The resistance of a component is measured in Ohm (Ω) and is defined
by this equation: r R

Figure below shows some resistors symbol

Worked example
Diagram shows a resistor connected in a circuit. The
current in the circuit shown in the ammeter is 2 A and
voltage across the resistor is 15 V. Calculate the resistance
of the resistor.

7.5 Ω
Measuring resistance
Connect a electrical component or a conducting wire
series to the battery and ammeter. Then connect the
voltmeter parallel to the electrical component or wire as
shown below.

Measure the voltmeter and ammeter reading in the

circuit. Resistance of the wire or electrical component
can be calculated by using the formula R
Factors affecting resistance
Length of wire
For a wire of uniform cross sectional area, the resistance is
proportional to the length of wire. The longer the wire, the further
electrons have to travel, the more likely they are to collide with
metal ions and so the greater the resistance. So if the length of
wire increases resistance also increases.
R α L
Cross-sectional area
For a wire fixed length, its resistance is inversely proportional to
the cross sectional area. The greater the cross sectional area of the
wire, the more electrons there are available to carry charge along
the wire length and so the lower resistance. So if cross-sectional
area of a wire increases resistance of the wire decreases.
R α 1/ A
Temperature
For metallic wires, as temperature increases, the resistance
of it also increases. But for some materials like silicon and
germanium (semiconductors), as temperature increases
resistance decreases.
Material
Resistance depends on the kind of substance.
Copper is a good conductor and is used for connecting
wires. But Nichrome has more resistance and is used in the
heating elements of electric heater.
Rheostat
A variable resistor or rheostat is used to vary the
current in a circuit. A sliding contact moves, it
varies the length of the wire in the circuit and
hence the resistance will be changed.
Effect of temperature on resistance
The circuit below can be used to investigate how current trough a
conductor depends on the p.d. across it. The conductor in this case
is a coiled-up length of nichrome wire, kept at a constant
temperature by immersing it in a large amount of water. The p.d.
across nichrome wire can be varied by adjusting variable resistor.
Typical results are shown in the table and graph below.

Current / A p.d. / V Resistance / Ω

0.2A 1V 5Ω

0.4A 2V 5Ω

0.6A 3V 5Ω

0.8A 4V 5Ω

1A 5V 5Ω
The result in the table shows that when the voltage
increases the current also increases within constant
temperature. And the gradient of the graph is constant
value (voltage / current is equals to constant value of
resistance).
So we can conclude that under constant temperature
voltage is directly proportional to the current. This is
called Ohm’s law.
The resistance of the most of the conductors becomes
higher if the temperature of the conductor increases. As
the temperature rises, the metals ions vibrate more and
provide greater resistance to flow the electrons. For
example filament lamp, as the current flows through the
metal filament, it gets hotter so its resistance increases.
This means the current varies with voltage is not directly
proportional and not give straight line for current-voltage
graph.
Resistors in series
The total resistance R of the resistors connected in series circuit
is equals to the sum of the separate resistance.
R = R1 + R2 +R3
Example

R = R1 + R2 +R3 = 2 + 8 = 10Ω

Resistors in parallel
The effective resistance R of the resistors connected in parallel can be calculate by using
the formula:
R R

Example
R

R =
1.43Ω
 Now try this?

Calculate the effective resistance of the following resistors?

R = R1 + R2 R = R1 + R2
R = 2 + 8 = 10 R = 5 + 5 = 10 1/R = 1/10+1/10
R R = 5Ω 1/R = 1/5 R= 5Ω
 aftabchaudhry.com

88
Current Electricity

Problem Solving
1. Find the total resistance for each of the following
resistor
(a) arrangement (b)
10  25  6 6 6

(c) 10 
(d)

25  6 6 6

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry Physics

 aftabchaudhry.com

89
Current Electricity

(e) (f)
10  6
25  6
10  6

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry Physics

 aftabchaudhry.com

90
Current Electricity

Problem Solving
2. Determine the total effective resistance between point
X
(a) and
5 Y. 5 (b)
5 5
5

5 X Y

5 15 
X Y

IGCSE/O level @Aftab Chaudhry Physics

D.C. Circuits
Series circuit

When resistors or other components are connected in series:

 the current at every point in a circuit is the same.

Total resistance = R1 + R2 = 10Ω

V = IR
I = V / R = 16 / 10 = 1.6A

So the ammeter reading shown in

the circuit is 1.6A and the current in
each resistor is also 1.6A.
 the sum of the potential differences in a series circuit is equal to the
potential difference across the whole circuit

P.d across 6Ω resistor P.d across 4Ω resistor

V = IR = 1.6 x 6 = 9.6V V = IR = 1.6 x 4 = 6.4V

P.d across the circuit = 9.6 + 6.4 = 16 V

 Parallel circuits

When resistors or other components are

connected in parallel:
 the P.d at every point in a circuit is the same.

P.d across each resistor is 18V

 the current from the source is the sum of the currents in the
separate branches of a parallel circuit.

Current across 8Ω resistor Current across 2Ω resistor

V = IR V = IR
I = V / R = 18 / 8 = 2.25A I = V / R = 18 / 2 = 9A
So sum of the currents in the separate branches is (2.25 +9 = 11.25A ) and is equals to
current from the source as shown in the ammeter reading in the diagram above.
Summary of DC circuits
Series circuit Parallel circuit

1 current 1) Current
Current will remain same Current will be divided depending upon
I =I1=I2 the value of resistance
V= v1+v2
2) Voltage 2) Voltage
Voltage will remain same
Voltage will be divided depending upon V =v1= v2
the value of resistance 3) Resistance .
V = v1 +v2 Resistance will be added after taking
3) Resistance . reciprocals
Resistance will be added directly 1/ R = 1/R1 +1/R2
R =R1 +R2
Or
R = (R1 x R2) / (R1 + R2)
Two resistors of 6 Ω and 12 Ω are arranged in parallel. A
potential difference is connected across the terminals X
and Y. The current in the 6 Ω resistor is 4 A.

What is the current in the ammeter?

Advantages of connecting electrical components in
parallel

There are some advantages of connecting lamps and other

electrical components in parallel rather than connecting in series.
These include:

 The voltage through each lamp is same so each lamp has same
brightness.
 If the one lamp is melt the other lamps will work but in series if
one lamp melts others will not work.
Electrical symbols

Lamps Ammeter Voltmeter

DC power supply

Switch Cell (battery) several cells AC power supply

Resistor Variable resistor Light dependent resistor

Fuse Diode Light emitting diode

Magnetising coil Electric bell Relay

Light dependent resistor (LDR)
A light dependent resistor (LDR) is a type of variable resistor
whose resistance depends on the amount of light falling on it
. An LDR is made of material that does not normally conduct
well (semiconductor Cadmium Sulphide). In the dark, an LDR
has a high resistance, often over 1MΩ. However, light can
provide the energy needed to allow a current to flow. Shine
light on an LDR and its resistance decreases. In bright light its
resistance may fall to 400Ω).
LDRs are used in circuits to detect the level of light, for
example in security lights that switch on automatically at
night. symbol
Draw a circuit diagram including:
(i) a 1.5 V power supply of fixed voltage,
(ii) Two bulbs connected in series
(iii)A switch
(iv) an ammeter to measure the current through the circuit
(v) Volt meters across each bulb to measure the p.d across the
bulbs.
Draw a circuit diagram including:
(i) a 15 V power supply of fixed voltage,
(ii) Two resistors connect in parallel each rating 5Ω
(iii)A switch
(iv) an ammeter to measure the current trough the circuit
(v) Variable resistor