Electrical formulae

Formula Formula symbols Units

Charge = current × time Q = It C
potential difference V
Resistance = R= 
current I
V2
Electrical power = potential difference × current P = VI = I 2 R = W
R
Terminal p.d. = source e.m.f. − (current)(resistance) V = E − Ir V
resistivity × length of conductor ρl
Resistance = R= 
cross-sectional area A
Total resistance of resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + · · · 
1 1 1
Total resistance of resistors in parallel = + + ···
R R1 R2
magnetic flux 
Magnetic flux density = B= T
area A
Force on conductor = flux density × current F = BIl N
× length of conductor
Force on a charge = charge × velocity × flux density F = QvB N
Induced e.m.f. = flux density × current × conductor velocity E = Blv V
d
Induced e.m.f. = number of coil turns × rate of change of flux E = −N V
dt
dI
Induced e.m.f. = inductance × rate of change of current E = −L V
dt
number of coil turns × flux N
Inductance = L= H
current I
dI1
Mutually induced e.m.f E2 = −M V
dt
V1 N I
For an ideal transformer = 1 = 2
V2 N2 I1
p.d. across dielectric V
Electric field strength = E= V/m
thickness of dielectric d
charge Q
Electric flux density = D= C/m2
area A

Science for Engineering. 978-1-138-82688-5, © John Bird. Published by Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.
Formula Formula symbols Units
Charge = capacitance × potential difference Q=C×V C
ε0 εr A(n − 1)
Parallel plate capacitor C= F
d
1 1 1
Total capacitance of capacitors in series: = + + ···
C C1 C2
Total capacitance of capacitors in parallel: C = C1 + C2 + · · · F
1
Energy stored in capacitor W= CV 2 J
2
R2 R 3
Wheatstone bridge Rx = 
R1
 
l
Potentiometer E2 = E1 2 V
l1
1
Periodic time T= s
f


i2 + i2 + · · · + i2
r.m.s. current I=
1 2 n
A
n
For a sine wave
2
Average or mean value IAV = I
π m
1
r.m.s. value I = √ Im
2
r.m.s.
Form factor =
average
maximum
Peak factor =
r.m.s.