Unit I.

Introduction of Electrical Circuits

Topics:
1.1 The Idea of Electric Potential
1.2 Resistance
1.3 The Unit of Resistance
1.4 Resistance Variation
1.5 Ohm’s Law
1.6 Series and Parallel Resistance

1.5 Ohm’s Law

This law applies to electric to electric conduction through good conductors and may be stated as follows:

The ratio of potential difference (V) between any two points on a conductor to the current (I)
flowing between them, is constant, provided the temperature of the conductor does not change.

In other words,

where R is the resistance of the conductor between the two points considered.

Example 1. Three resistors are connected in series across a 12-V battery. The first resistor has a
value of 1 Ω, second has a voltage drop of 4 V and the third has a power dissipation of 12 W. Calculate the
value of the circuit current.

Solution. Let the two unknown resistors be R2 and R3 and I the circuit current

I2 R3 =12 and IR3 = 4

∴ R3 = (3/4)R22. Also, I = (4/R2)
Now, I (1 + R2 + R3) = 12
Substituting the values of I and R3, we get
(4/R2)[1+R2+(3/4)(R22)] = 12 or 3R22-8R2+4=0
∴

Ohm’s Law * Series & Parallel Resistance

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1.6a. Resistance in Series

When some conductors having resistances R1, R2 and R3 etc. are joined end-on-end as in Fig. 1.a,
they are said to be connected in series. It can be proved that the equivalent resistance or total resistance
between points A and D is equal to the sum of the three individual resistances. Being a series circuit, it
should be remembered that (i) current is the same through all the three conductors Electric Current and
Ohm’s Law (ii) but voltage drop across each is different due to its different resistance and is given by
Ohm’s Law and (iii) sum of the three voltage drops is equal to the voltage applied across the three
conductors. There is a progressive fall in potential as we go from point A to D as shown in Fig. 1.b.

Fig. 1.a Fig.1.b

Voltage Divider Rule

Since in a series circuit, same current flows through each of the

given resistors, voltage drop varies directly with its resistance.

Example. In Fig. 1.c is shown a 24-V battery connected across a series

combination of three resistors.

Total resistance
R = R1 + R2 + R3 = 12 Ω Fig.1.c
According to Voltage Divider Rule, various voltage drops are :

Ohm’s Law * Series & Parallel Resistance

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1.6b. Resistance in Parallel

Three resistances, as joined in Fig. 1.d are said to be

connected in parallel. In this case (i) p.d. across all resistances is the
same (ii) current in each resistor is different and is given by Ohm’s
Law and (iii) the total current is the sum of the three separate
currents.

Fig.1.d

Example. What is the value of the unknown resistor R if the voltage drop across the 500 Ω resistor is 2.5
volts? All resistances are in ohm.

Ohm’s Law * Series & Parallel Resistance

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Example. Calculate the effective resistance of the following combination of resistances and the voltage
drop across each resistance when a P.D. of 60 V is applied between points A and B.

Example. Determine the value of R and current through it in the given circuit, if current through branch
AO is zero.

Solution. The given circuit can be redrawn as shown (b). As seen, it is nothing else but Wheatstone
bridge circuit. As is well-known, when current through branch AO becomes zero, the bridge is said to be
balanced. In that case, products of the resistances of opposite arms of the bridge become equal.

∴ 4 × 1.5 = R × 1; R = 6 Ω

Under condition of balance, it makes no difference if resistance X is removed thereby giving us the
circuit of (c). Now, there are two parallel paths between points B and C of resistances (1 + 1.5) = 2.5 Ω
and (4 + 6) = 10 Ω. RBC = 10 || 2.5 = 2 Ω

Total circuit resistance = 2 + 2 = 4 Ω. Total circuit current = 10/4 = 2.5 A

This current gets divided into two parts at point B. Current through R is

y = 2.5 × 2.5/12.5 = 0.5 A

Ohm’s Law * Series & Parallel Resistance

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Example. In the unbalanced bridge circuit (a), find the potential difference that exists across the open
switch S. Also, find the current which will flow through the switch when it is closed.

Solution. With switch open, there are two parallel branches across the 15-V supply. Branch ABC has a
resistance of (3 + 12) = 15 Ω and branch ABC has a resistance of (6 + 4) = 10 Ω. Obviously, each branch has
15 V applied across it.

VB = 12 × 15/15 = 12 V; VD = 4 × 15/(6 + 4) = 6 V

∴ p.d. across points B and D = VB − VD = 12 − 6 = 6 V

When S is closed, the circuit becomes as shown in Fig (b) where points B and D become electrically
connected together.

RAB = 3 || 6 = 2 Ω and RBC = 4 || 12 = 3 Ω

RAC = 2 + 3 = 5 Ω ; I = 15/5 = 3 A

Current through arm AB = 3 × 6/9 = 2 A. The voltage drop over arm AB = 3 × 2 = 6 V. Hence, drop
over arm BC = 15 − 6 = 9 V. Current through BC = 9/12 = 0.75 A. It is obvious that at point B, the incoming
current is 2 A, out of which 0.75 A flows along BC, whereas remaining 2 − 0.75 = 1.25 A passes through
the switch.

As a check, it may be noted that current through AD = 6/6 = 1 A. At point D, this current is joined
by 1.25 A coming through the switch. Hence, current through DC = 1.25 + 1 = 2.25 A. This fact can be
further verified by the fact that there is a voltage drop of 9 V across 4 Ω resistor thereby giving a current
of 9/4 = 2.25 A.

Ohm’s Law * Series & Parallel Resistance

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