ELECTRICITY

Electricity is a form of energy possessed by charged bodies. Bodies become charged when
they lose or gain electrons.

Types of electricity

1. Static electricity : This is electric charges not in motion

2. Current electricity: Electric charges in motion. It can also be described as a flow of
free electron in materials or substances called electrical conductors.
The rate of flow of free electrons or charges is known as electric current. It is
measured in amperes (A).

Discovery of electricity

Electricity has been discovered as far back as 600 BC, when Ancient Greeks discovered
that rubbing fur on amber (fossilized tree resin) caused an attraction between the two – and
so what the Greeks discovered was actually static electricity. In about 600 BC, the Ancient
Greeks discovered that rubbing fur on amber (fossilized tree resin) caused an attraction
between the two – and so what the Greeks discovered was actually static electricity.

In the year 1600, English physician William Gilbert used the Latin word “electricus” to
describe the force that certain substances exert when rubbed against each other. A few
years later another English scientist, Thomas Browne, wrote several books and he used the
word “electricity” to describe his investigations based on Gilbert’s work.

In 1752, Ben Franklin conducted his experiment which helped establish the connection
between lightning and electricity. Afterwards, there have been several other developments
and discoveries about electricity.

Unit of Electricity

Electric charges are measured in coulombs which is current x time.

So, we write Q = I X T

Where Q = Quantity of electricity (measured in Coulombs)

I = electric current (measured in Amperes)

T = time (measured in seconds)

Electricity is however sold and purchased in Kilowatt Hour.

Coulomb’s Law of Electricity

Coulomb's law states that: The magnitude of the electrostatic force of attraction or
repulsion between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes
of charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. The force
is along the straight line joining them.
In simpler terms, ‘like charges repel, unlike charges attract’.

Electric Circuit

An electric circuit is an arranged path-way along which electric current flows. An electric
circuit is;

i. Closed; if its pathway has no gap or discontinuity

ii. Open; if its pathway has a gap or discontinuity
iii. Short; if current flows through an undesirable path not meant for it.

Features of an electric circuit

i. Electric Conductor: Materials through which the current flows. For
example, copper wire, silver wire etc
ii. Source of electromotive force: these are batteries (cells) or generator.
Electromotive force is the force that sets the electrons in motion.
Electromotive force is the potential difference between the terminals of a
cell or battery when it is in an open circuit.
Potential difference between two points exists in the circuit a current flows
in the circuit. It is the work done on moving a positive charge of 1 coulomb
from one point in an electric field to another. The unit of potential
difference and electromotive force is volts and they can be measured by
the use of a voltmeter.
iii. Resistor or Load: these are material that hinders the flow of an electric
current. They can be in form of conductor, Load or electrical appliance
that consume electrical energy. Resistors are measured in ohms. They
can be measured by using ohmmeter. Current is measured in Amperes
using an ammeter.
iv. Key or switch: to open and close the circuit.
 v. Ammeter and voltmeters: Ammeter measures the electric current while
voltmeter measures potential difference between two points in a circuit.
Ammeters are connected in series while voltmeters are connected
parallel.
Resistance
The electrical resistance of an object is a measure of its opposition to the
flow of electric circuit. Resistors in a circuit can be connected in two
ways, in series or in parallel.

Series and Parallel Connection of Loads Or Resistors

Series connection: this is the arrangement whereby resistors are

connected end to end.
The combined or equivalent resistance,
R = R1 + R2 + R3

Parallel Connection: This is the arrangement of resistors side by side

such that their corresponding end joins together at two common points or
junctions.

1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3

Potential Difference and Electromotive Force (e.m.f)

The potential difference p.d (V), current (I) and resistance (R) are related by the Ohm’s law;

V = IR