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Electricity_MYP_-_3_Notes_

The document covers key concepts related to electric current, electric potential, and resistance, including definitions, formulas, and applications. It explains direct and alternating current, Ohm's Law, and factors affecting resistance, while providing numerical examples for better understanding. The content emphasizes the importance of these concepts in designing electrical systems and understanding technological innovations in energy.

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mahiv.visaria
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11 views

Electricity_MYP_-_3_Notes_

The document covers key concepts related to electric current, electric potential, and resistance, including definitions, formulas, and applications. It explains direct and alternating current, Ohm's Law, and factors affecting resistance, while providing numerical examples for better understanding. The content emphasizes the importance of these concepts in designing electrical systems and understanding technological innovations in energy.

Uploaded by

mahiv.visaria
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Key Concepts

• Key Concept: Systems

• Related Concepts: Energy, Models, Function

• Global Context: Scientific and technical innovation – understanding

technological developments in electricity and energy.

Electric Current: - Electric current (I) is defined as the rate at which electric

charge (Q) flows through a cross-section of a conductor.

Mathematically:

I=Q/t

where:

I = electric current (measured in amperes, A)

Q = charge (measured in coulombs, C)

t = time (measured in seconds, s)


Types of Electric Current

• Direct Current (DC): The flow of electric charge is in a single, constant

direction (e.g., current from a battery).

• Alternating Current (AC): The flow of electric charge periodically

reverses direction (e.g., household electricity).

Numerical:

1. A charge of 240 coulombs flows through a circuit in 2 minutes. Calculate

the electric current.

2. A current of 0.5 A flows through a conductor, and 150 C of charge passes

through it. Calculate the time taken.

3. A current of 3 mA flows through a circuit for 5 minutes. Calculate the

total charge that passes through the circuit.

Electric Potential:

Electric potential (V) at a point in an electric field is defined as the

amount of work done per unit charge to move a positive test charge

from a reference point (usually infinity or ground) to that specific point.


Mathematically:

V=W/Q

where:

• V = Electric potential (volts, V)

• W = Work done to move the charge (joules, J)

• Q = Positive test charge (coulombs, C)

Potential Difference:

The potential difference between two points in an electric field is defined as

the amount of work done to move a unit positive charge from one point to

the other

Scalar Quantity: Electric potential has magnitude but no direction.

Unit: The unit of electric potential is the volt (V)

Simple Meaning: - Electric potential represents the ability of an electric field to

do work on a charge.
Applications

• Used to calculate the energy required to move charges in an electric

field.

• Fundamental in designing circuits and electrical systems.

• Determines the behavior of charges in capacitors and batteries.

Numerical:

1. A charge of 3 C is moved through a potential difference of 12 V. Calculate

the work done.

2. A charge of 2 C is placed in an electric field where the potential is 15 V.

How much electric potential energy does the charge have?

3. 500 J of work is done in transferring 40 C of charge from one terminal of

battery to the other. What is the battery voltage?

Resistance(R):

Resistance is a measure of how much a material or component opposes the

flow of electric current in a circuit. It determines how easily or difficult it is for

the electric charges to move through a conductor.

Measured in Ohms (Ω).


Factors Affecting Resistance:

• Material: Conductors (like copper) have low resistance, while insulators

(like rubber) have high resistance.

• Length: Longer conductors have higher resistance.

• Cross-sectional Area: Wider conductors have lower resistance.

• Temperature: For most materials, resistance increases with temperature.

Practical Application:

• Resistance controls the current flow in circuits.

• Resistors are components specifically designed to provide resistance and

manage current in electronic devices.

Ohm’s Law:

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electrical circuits that relates voltage

(V), current (I), and resistance (R). It states that:

V = I⋅R
Explanation of Terms:

• V: Voltage (measured in Volts, V)

o The potential difference across a conductor.

• I: Current (measured in Amperes, A)

o The flow of electric charge through the conductor.

• R: Resistance (measured in Ohms, Ω)

o The opposition to the flow of current in the conductor.

Key Points:

1. Linear Relationship:

o In materials that obey Ohm's Law, current is directly proportional

to voltage as long as the temperature remains constant.

o Graphically, the relationship is a straight line when V is plotted

against I.

2. Applicability:

o Ohm's Law applies to many conductors (e.g., metals) but does not

apply to non-ohmic materials like diodes and transistors, where

the relationship is non-linear.


If a resistor has a resistance of 10 Ω and a current of 2 A flows through it, the

voltage across it can be calculated as:

V = I⋅R = 2 A⋅10 Ω = 20V

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