Year 9

Electricity
 Electricity Indicators

● Recall charge as the property of matter.

● Describe static electricity as production of charges.
● Describe how objects acquire an electrostatic charge.
● Identify everyday situations of electrostatic forces
● Describe the interaction of like and unlike charges.
● Define dynamic electricity as the flow of charges
● Distinguish between conductors and insulators
● Recall simple circuit Define circuit as a path for current to flow.
● Identify circuit symbols for electrical components.
● Distinguish between open and closed circuit.
● Compare Voltage, Current and Resistance in a Series circuit and Parallel circuit
● Assess the significance of the use of both circuits for industrial and domestic purposes
● Define voltage and identify its symbol, units, and equipment used to measure it.
● Define current and identify its symbol, units, and equipment used to measure it.
● State that electrons flow from a negative to a positive object and that conventional electric
current flows from a positive to a negative object.
● Distinguish between an ammeter and voltmeter and correctly read the scales (analog and
digital)
● Compare AC and DC
● Define Resistance
● Identify factors that affect Resistance
● State Ohm’s Law
● Solve problems based on Ohms Law (using V = IR)
● Identify and describe the energy changes from one form to another in a globe, heating coil,
motor and loudspeaker.
● Calculate the efficiency in energy transformation.
● Identify a loudspeaker works with the interaction of electrical and magnetic field.
● Use energy chain diagrams to represent energy transformations for given examples.
● (Sankey diagrams)
● State the Law of Conservation of Energy.
● Define Power as the rate at which energy is transformed
● solve problems using P = VI
● Describe the various sources of generation of electricity (chemical, electromagnetic)
● Use a flowchart to describe energy transformations during the production and distribution of
electrical energy.
● Assess the impact of thermal, hydro and nuclear sources to produce electricity, on
environment and discuss the need to develop alternative sources (solar, geothermal and wind)
 Keywords – Are you connected (Match)
1 Charge Material which allows an electric current to pass through it.

2 Electron Materials through which an electric current cannot pass.

The number of electrons that pass a point in a circuit every second – measured in
3 Conductor
amperes (A).

4 Insulator A positive or negative charge given to an insulating material by rubbing it.

5 Current A current in which the electrons move in one direction only.

6 Ammeter Very small particle of atom with a negative charge.

7 Direct current How much a substance resists flow of electricity.

The amount of electrical potential energy available to drive an electric current through a
8 Alternating current
conductor.

9 Voltage Instrument for measuring the electric current flowing round an electrical circuit.

10 Potential difference Unit of resistance in an electric current.

The difference in potential between two points in an electrical circuit. A measure of the
11 Voltmeter
electromotive force in an electrical circuit – measured in volts (V).

12 Resistance A current in which the electrons change direction many times per second.

Instrument for measuring the electric potential difference flowing round an electrical
13 Ohm
circuit.

14 Circuit A circuit in which current can take different paths - branched circuit.

A circuit in which the wire used to carry the electrons has no interruptions and the
15 Series circuit
electricity flows.

16 Parallel circuit Device used to open or close an electric circuit.

17 Open circuit Path followed by current in a circuit

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Chemical cell used to
18 Closed circuit
produce electricity.

19 Battery Any circuit where the components are connected in a single continuous line.

A source of light that uses electrical energy. Used as a load to detect circuit connections
20 Switch
are right.

21 Wire A circuit in which the flow of electricity is cut by a switch.

22 Light globe Instrument used to convert electricity into different voltages.

23 Short circuit The wire part of the circuit which melts when too large a current flow through it.

24 Transformer Thin string of metal used to conduct electricity generally made of copper

25 Fuse Component that impedes the flow of current in a circuit.

26 Resistor Part of a circuit that has reduced resistance and allows much larger current to flow.
Static electricity

When two objects are rubbed together electric charges can be made. This is called
electrification by __________________

There are two types of charges ___________________and ___________________

+ Positive Particle – Proton

_ Negative Particle – Electron

What kind of charges will the following objects have?

_
_+ +_ + _ _ _
_ _ + _ + + _
_ _
++_ + + + +_ +
_
+

• If an object has a ______________ charge then it contains ___________ electrons than

protons. Therefore, it has an electron deficiency.

• If an object has a ______________ charge it contains ___________ electrons than

protons. Therefore, it has an electron surplus.

An electroscope is an instrument used to detect electric charges.

When a charged object is brought near the cap the charge flows over the conducting
copper and gold, and the gold leaf rises as it is repelled by having the same charge as the
copper.

____________________ charges attract and _________________charges repel

The attraction and repulsion forces referred to above are called electrostatic forces.
Protons have a ______________ charge. Electrons have a ________________ charge.
Protons ____________ or move away from other protons. Electrons repel or move away
from other _____________.
What happens between a proton and an electron? They ____________ or move toward
each other.
Easy Static Electricity Experiments
Experiment #1

Rub a glass rod with silk or an ebonite rod with a flannel material to charge it

Turn the tap on to obtain a thin stream of water. Place a charged rod near the water
stream. Note what happens

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________________________________________________________________________

a) PERSPEX RUBBED WITH SILK.

Perspex or glass losses electrons to gain a ______________ charge.

Perspex

Silk

Silk gains electrons to obtain a ______________ charge.

b) EBONITE RUBBED WITH FLANNEL.

Ebonite ____________ electrons to obtain a negative charge.

Ebonite

. Flannel

Flannel ___________ electrons to gain a ______________ charge.

Experiment #2
For this experiment, you will need:
• A balloon
• Different surfaces
Steps:
1. Rub the balloon against your hair to create friction.
2. Put it up against a vertical surface and see if it sticks or falls.
3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 with different surfaces, such as a paint ed wall, a refrigerator, a
washing machine, a plastic tub a wooden bookshelf, a TV screen, a window, a door,
a (tile) wall in a shower, and a shower curtain.
4. Record the results in the table below.

Results:

Discussion:
What is happening here?
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

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 Static Electricity
Tick the letter of the correct answer.

1) Two objects have collected static electricity with the same charge. What would the objects
do when placed near each other?
A. Repel
B. Attract
C. Nothing
D. Stick together

2) Why does static electricity move from you to a metal object after you have walked
over new carpet?
A. It is attracted to you
B. It is made in your shoes
C. It is attracted to the metal.
D. It is attracted to the carpet.

3) How can you tell when static electricity has been discharged?
A. Heat is released that can be felt.
B. Light is released and you can feel a shock.
C. Static electricity gives off many different colours.
D. The object begins to spin rapidly when it is shocked.

4) Why would a comb that had been run through hair touch one cheerio and cause the
two cheerios to come together? The comb had
A. a positive charge.
B. a negative charge.
C. the same charge as the cheerios already had.
D. a different charge than the cheerios already had.

5) Electrons that move away from their atoms cause.

A. static electricity.
B. Current electricity
C. Magnetic field.
D. Dynamic electricity

6) Substances whose atoms have more free electrons are called ___________________.
A. conductors
B. insulators
C. electrolytes
D. semiconductors
 Fill in the blanks in the below tables.

Static Electricity Current Electricity

Needs a ,a
Stays in place
substance that allows electrons to move
until it jumps to an object.
easily through it.

Does not need a ___________________. Needs a _______________ circuit to flow.

The kind of electricity that powers the

The kind of electricity you feel after you
appliances and ___________ in your home.
______________________________________________________ your feet across a carpet.

The kind of electricity in a _________________

Is static electricity on
a more spectacular scale observed in which is used to run toy car.
monsoon.

Current Voltage

Measured in

Measured with

Circuit symbol
of t h e measuring
devise
resistor

battery
Define a Circuit

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Observe and state the difference between the circuits below

Closed Circuit Open circuit

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Use the right symbols and draw circuit diagrams for the following and build them

B
C

What difference will it make if the switch is located in either of these two alternate locations
in the circuit?

-
-
+
+

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What difference will it make if the battery in this circuit is reversed in direction?

_ +
_
+

________________________________________________________________________

FHI: Conductors or insulators

Aim: To investigate the electrical conductivity of different objects
Equipment: Transformer, wires, globe, switch, sample material (wood, glass, plastic, rubber, iron, carbon,
copper, zinc)
Safety audit: Keep hands dry, use rubber gloves, use electrical points carefully, and check for damaged
wires and equipment, do not insert objects into plug points, be careful and report any accidents.
Procedure:
1. Set up the transformer
2. Connect two wires into the DC socket and set it to
8 volts.
3. Connect the other end of one wire to the
bulb/globe.
4. Connect the globe to the metal/nonmetal sample. Sample
5. Connect the other end of the sample to the switch
and then back to the transformer
6. Call your teacher to check the set up before you start.
7. Switch the power on and test your samples.

Results:
Material Did the bulb glow? Conductor/non-conductor

Conclusion: (define conductor and insulator)

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Discussion: Metals are good conductors of electricity. They can also be moulded into wires. This makes
them very useful. Metallic wires have been largely used in power lines. All electrical appliances use metals.
Electricity is circulated throughout the house, city, state and even an entire country through power lines.
 Series and Parallel circuits
Look at the pictures below and identify the difference between series and parallel circuits

Series circuit

Parallel circuit

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
Define

Series circuit Parallel circuit

Voltage, Current and Resistance
State the difference between Conventional current
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Use this description to illustrate direct and alternating current

There are two main types of current in our world. One is direct
current (DC) which is a constant stream of charges in one
direction. The other is alternating current (AC) that is a stream
of charges that reverses direction.
 Measuring current.

Current is the flow of charge through a conductor in unit time.

The electric current flowing in a circuit is measured using what device?

______________________________________________________

What is the unit of current?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

When measuring current, the meter is connected in series.

Some students set up a circuit and decided to measure the current at

different points around the circuit. A diagram of their circuit is shown
below.
Ammeter 1 measured a current of 6 amperes
What was the current reading shown on:

1) Ammeter 2__________ 3
1

2) Ammeter 3__________
2

The students set up another circuit and decided to measure the current
at different points around the circuit. A diagram of their circuit is shown
below.
Ammeter 1 measured a current of 12 amperes
What was the current reading shown on:

4) Ammeter 2__________ 4
1
5) Ammeter 3__________
2
6) Ammeter 4 __________
3
 Experiment: Current in a series circuit
Set up a two-bulb circuit. Using the correct meter, record the reading the
current at position A1, A2 and A3 in the circuit, as illustrated in the
diagrams below.

Position Current (A)

A1 A3 A1
A2
A3
A2

What do these results tell you about the current at different points in a
series circuit? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_______

Current in a parallel circuit

Position Current (A)

A1
A1 A4 A2
A2 A3
A4

A3

What do these results tell you about the current at different points in a
series circuit? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_______
 Measuring voltage.

The voltage is a measure of the ‘electrical push’ that a battery gives to the
electrons. It is measured in ____________ using a ________ meter.
When measuring voltage, the meter is connected in parallel.

Connecting the meters any other way will not work and may cause damage.

V
V
Series Circuit
Parallel Circuit

Why is bulb 2 brighter than bulb1?

Voltage in series circuit.

Position Voltage (V)

V1 V1
V2
V2 V3 V3

What do these results tell you about the voltage at different points in a
series circuit?
____________________________________

Voltage in parallel circuit.

Position Voltage (V)

V1 V1
V2
V2 V3

What do these results tell you about the

voltage at different points in a parallel
circuit?
V3 ______________________
______________________
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Work out the currents labelled "?" in each of the circuits below.
Work out the voltages labelled "?" in each of the circuits below.

Are these sentences true or false?

1.Circuits will work if there is a gap in them _______________
2.The current is the same all over the circuit ______________
3.A voltmeter measures current ________________________
4.Electrical conductors will not allow current to pass through ________
5.All metals are good conductors of electricity ____________________
6.The current in a circuit gets used up ___________________________
Analyse each circuit and answer the questions alongside it.
A. 1. Which switch controls lamp 1 only?
2. Which switch controls lamp 2 only?
3. Which switch controls both lamps at the same time?
4. Which switches must be closed to light lamp 1?
5. Which switches must be closed to light lamp 2?
6. Which switches must be closed to light both lamps?

B. 7. Which switch controls only lamp 1?

8. Which switches must be closed to light lamp 1?
9. Which switches must be closed to light lamp 2?
10. Is it possible with this circuit to light lamp 2, but
not lamp 3?
11. Which switch could be used to control all 3
lamps?

C. 12. Which lamp cannot be switched off?

13. Which switch controls lamp 2 only?
14. Which switches must be closed to light lamp 2?
15. Which switches must be closed to light lamp 3?
16. Which switches must be closed to light lamps 2
and 4 together?

D
17. Which switches must be closed to light
lamp1?
18. Which combinations of closed switches could
be used to light lamp2?
19. Which switch could be used to control both
lamps together?
Resistance

Metal atoms in a wire have _________ which are free to move

and carry the electric current around the _________.
The electrons moving around the circuit collide with the ions.
This is called ____________.
All appliances are called a ________ they transform ___________
energy. They all have a resistance.

(electrical, resistance, load, electrons, circuit)

WORD PROBLEMS - Be sure to check your units before solving the
following questions!
3. How much resistance does a light bulb create if it has a current of 25 mA around it
in a 9 V circuit?
I = 25 mA
V=
R =?

4. How much current flows through a 16 V battery that has a resistance of 5.1 Ω?

Complete the following questions using the equations:

V = I x R or R = V x I or I = V x R

5. What is the potential difference across an electrical load that has a

resistance of 4 Ω and a current of 3 A flowing through it?
6. Calculate the current an electric clothes dryer draws when it is
connected to a 230 V source and has a resistance of 9.2 Ω.
7. What is the resistance in a circuit if a potential difference of 110 V
causes a current of 10 A?

8. What is the potential difference across a hand-held fan that has a

resistance of 120 Ω and a current of 50 mA flowing through it?

9. An electric toaster has a resistance of 12 Ω. What current will it draw

from a 120 V supply?

10. a) A portable radio connected to a 9.0 V battery draws a current of 25

A. What is the resistance of the radio?

b) What type of energy is the electrical energy from the battery being
converted into in this device?

11. A heating coil offers a resistance of 2.5 kΩ. What potential difference
is required so that 1.5 A of current pass through it?

12. How much resistance does a heavy-duty flashlight have if it has a

current of 25 mA flowing through it and is being powered by four 1.5 V
cells?

13. The human body offers a very small amount of resistance (let’s say 1
mΩ for argument). If a lightning bolt (said to have 1.21 GV of potential
according to a famous movie called Back to the Future released in 1984)
hits you, how much current is flowing through your body?

PS. It takes a mere 50 mA of current to kill a human being.

 Ohms Law
Look at the following circuit and answer all the questions below

A Ammeter
1 3

V Voltmeter
2

Sam Has set up the above circuit. He needs to attach the two meters above. Help him to
put them in the right place. What does the ammeter measure?

________________________________________________________________________

At what position 1, 2 or 3 will you attach the ammeter?

________________________________________________________________________

What kind of circuit is this, series or parallel?

________________________________________________________________________

What does the voltmeter measure?

________________________________________________________________________

At what position 1, 2 or 3 will you attach the voltmeter?

________________________________________________________________________

What kind of circuit is this, series or parallel?

________________________________________________________________________

Why is it important to put a resistance into the circuit?

________________________________________________________________________
AIM: To determine the relation between voltage and current (Ohms Law)

Material: Ammeter, Voltmeter, leads/wires, globe, switch, rheostat, transformers.

Safety: Check for damaged wires.

DONOT switch on the power supply till your teacher checks the circuit.
Follow the risk safety rules given to you in the previous experiment.
Be careful and use commonsense.

Method:

Build the above circuit. Place the Knob on the rheostat at one end so that the bulb is very
dim
Make sure the power supply is at 12 Volt setting noting the reading in the ammeter and the
volt meter.
Slowly move the knob on the rheostat to increase the power recording the Voltage and
Current every time.
Calculate resistance using the formula:- Resistance= Voltage/Current
Draw a graph of Voltage versus Current

Current Voltage Resistance

1
2
3
4
5
6

From your readings what can you say about resistance?

________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:
What is the relation between Current and Voltage?

________________________________________________________________________
Power
Power is how _________ energy is changed. Electrical energy is converted
into heat, light, sound or __________ (moving) energy. Heaters, lamps,
stereos and motors convert the energy.
The power of a device is equal to the rate at which the device
____________ energy from one form to another.
A 100-watt lamp uses 100 joules of electrical energy every __________ to
make light energy.
The unit for power is __________ and its symbol is W.

(Power, watts kinetic, transforms, second, fast)

Answer each question by calculating for the missing variable. Be sure to
show all calculation work.

1. What is the power when a voltage of 120 V drives a 2‐A current

through a device?

2. What is the current when a 60‐W lamp is connected to 120 V?

3. How much current does a 100‐W lamp draw when connected to 120 V?

4. If part of an electric circuit dissipates energy at 6 W when it draws a

current of 3 A, what voltage is impressed across it?

5. Explain the difference between a kilowatt and a kilowatt‐hour.

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

6. A 750Watt hairdryer is used for 15 minutes. Calculate the kwhr used.

Calculate the cost to use 15 min. every day for 1 year @ 8 cents/kwhr

7. A room has a 60 watt, a 100 watt, and a 150-watt light bulb. How much
does it cost to use of all the lamps for 2.5 hr @ 8 cents/ kwhr?