CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Electricity:- property of an object that due to which objects are attracted each other on rubbing.
(General definition)
Electric charge:- magnitude of electricity is called electric charge . It is the scalar quantity.
(Type of physical quantity that has magnitude only is called scalar quantity. examples: electric
charge, mass, electric potential, electric current, electric power, work, energy, resistance, heat etc)
Electric charge is represented by the letter ‘q’ . and its unit is coulomb (C) .
Principle of Quantization of electric charge:- According to principle of Quantization of electric
charge “value of electric charge on a body or any particle should be integral multiple of fixed
charge called fundamental charge (1.6 x 10-19C).” Fundamental charge is represented by the
letter ‘e’.
e= 1.6 x 10-19
If the charge on the body is q and ‘n ’ is the number of the electron loss or gain by the body.

q=ne
Classification of electric charge:-There are two type of charges :
1.positive charge:- Charge develop due to loss of electrons. q=+ne
2.negative charge:- Charge develop due to gain of electrons. q=-ne
Electric current:-Amount of charge flowing through a particular
area in unit time is called electric current. It is the scalar quantity. Force between charges is called electric force. If
the charge are static then the force is called
If the flow of charge in time ‘t’ = q Electrostatic force .which is given by the
equation
then flow of charge in unit time = q/ t
i.e. Electric current (i)= q/ t
unit of electric current is C/S or Ampere (A). if q= 1C & t= 1second
then i= 1A
If the charge flow in 1 second is !C then the electric current flow
through the particular area is called 1 ampere.
[NOTE:- direction of flow of electric current is equal to the direction of flow of positive charge.]
Electric potential:- the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from a reference point to
a specific point against an electric field is called electric potential at that point.
Let , the amount of work done on charge ‘q’ from a reference point to a specific point ’A’
against electric field = W
then amount of work done on unit charge from a reference point to a specific point ’A’ against
electric field = W/q
i.e. Electric potential VA=W/q

Electric potential difference: - the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from a one
point to other point in an electric field is called electric potential between these points
Let , the amount of work done on charge ‘q’ from ‘A’ point to ‘B’ point in electric field = W
then the amount of work done on unit charge from ‘A’ point to ‘B’ point in electric field = W/q
i.e. Electric potential difference ΔV= W/q
unit of electric potential difference is joule/coulomb or Volt . It is the scalar quantity.
Ohm’s Law: - The law was named after the German physicist Georg seimen ohm . According to
this “ If the physical properties (length. Cross section area, mass, temperature etc ) of the
conductor are remain unchanged then the potential difference between ends of the conductor is
directly proportional to the current flow in the conductor. ”
i.e. if the potential difference between the ends of the conductor is ‘V’ and current folw in the
conductor is ‘I’ then according to ohm’s law:
V∝I
V = RI
where R is proportionality constant which is known as Resistance of the conductor at the given
temperature.
Instrumental setup of ohm’s law
(1)Ammeter :-ammeter is the instrument for
measuring either direct or alternating electric
current passing in the conductor , in amperes.
It connects in series manner with conductor. its
resistance is approximately negligible.
Symbol:

(2) Voltmeter:- A voltmeter is an instrument

used for measuring electric potential difference
between two points in an electric circuit. It is
connected in parallel manner. Its resistance is
very high.
Symbol:

(3) Rheostat: -it is an electrical instrument used to control a current by

varying the resistance.
(4) Resistance:- Resistance is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.
Or Ratio of electric potential difference(V) to the electric current (i) flow in the conductor is
called resistance of that conductor (R)
i.e. R=V/i
unit of resistance is volt/ampere or Ohm(Ω). it is the scalar quantity.
(5) key:- It is the instrument that is use open or close the circuit by small metal piece.

Graphical representation of Ohm’s law

slope=R
Factors affecting Resistance of the conductor
(i) Nature of Material: -Some materials create least hindrance and hence, are called good
conductors. Silver is the best conductor of electricity.
(ii) Length of Conductor:- Resistance (R) is directly proportional to the length of the
conductor(l).
i.e. R ∝ l …(i)
(iii) Area of Cross Section: Resistance R is inversely proportional to the area of cross section (A)
of the conductor.
resistance (R) ∝ 1/Area of cross section of conductor (A) ….(ii)
from equation (i) & (ii)
R∝l / A
R=ρl / A
Where, ρ (rho) is the proportionality constant. It is called the electrical resistivity or specific
resistance of the material of conductor.
ρ = RA / l
unit of ρ is Ω-m. And it is scalar quantity.
Combination of resistors
1. Resistors in Series: When
resistors are joined from end
to end, it is called in series. In
this case, the total resistance of
the system is equal to the sum
of the resistance of all the
resistors in the system.

Let, three resistors R1, R2, and R3 get connected in series.

Potential difference across A and B = V
Potential difference across R1, R2 and R3 = V1, V2 and V3
Current flowing through the combination = I
We, know that
V= V1 + V2 + V3 …. (i)
According to Ohm’s Law :
V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2 and V3 = IR3 ….. (ii)
Let, total resistance = Rs
Then, V = IRs …(iii)
From equations (i) and (ii) and (iii)
IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3
When the resistors are connected in series, the current flowing through each resistor is the same
and is equal to the total current.
2. Resistors in Parallel: When resistors are joined in parallel, the reciprocal of the total resistance
of the system is equal to the sum of reciprocal of the resistance of resistors.
Let three resistors R1, R2 and
R3 connected in parallel.
Potential difference across
point A and B = V
Total current flowing between
point A and B = I
Currents flowing through
resistors R1, R2 and R3 = I1, I2 and I3 respectively.
We, know that,
I = I1 + I2 + I3 …….(i)
Since, the potential difference across R1, R2, and R3 is the same = V
According to Ohm’s Law,

Electric power- Amount of electric work done or electrical energy used in unit time is called
electric power.
Let the amount of electric work done in time ‘t ’ = W
then amount of work done in unit time = W/t
i.e. Electric power P=W/t
unit of electric power is joule/coulomb or watt. It is the scalar quantity.
Heating effect of electric current:- When electric current is supplied to a purely resistive
conductor, the energy of electric current is dissipated entirely in the form of heat and as a result,
resistor gets heated. The heating of resistor because of dissipation of electrical energy is
commonly known as Heating Effect of Electric Current.
Joule’s law of Heat:-Let the potential difference between the ends of the conductor is ‘V’ and
charge flow in the conductor in time ‘t’ is q then amount of electric work done
W = V × q …….(i)
but q = it
then W= V ×i ×t …….(ii)
where i is the electric current flow in the conductor
Now if the resistance of the conductor is R
then V= iR => i = V/R
therefor W= V2t/R ……..(iii)
and W= i2Rt …….(iv)
This equation (iv ) is known as Joule’ slaw of heat.