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Electric current, I=
7.2 Analysing the Relationship between Electric Current and Potential Different
1. Potential difference between two points in an electric field is defined as the work
done or energy that would be required to move one coulomb of charge from one point
to another.
Potential difference, V=
W=work done in driving the charge between the two points in joule (J)
3. Ohm’s law states that the current passing through an ideal conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference applied across its ends, provided that the
temperature and other physical factors of conductor are kept constant
I V or = Constant
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4. Resistance, R of a conductor is defined as the ratio of potential difference, V across
the conductor to the current (I), flowing through it.
= R or V = IR
The sum of the voltage drops across each resistor is equal to the total
voltage supply by the source
2. Potential difference, V = V + V + V
Resistance, R = R + R + R
IR = IR + IR + IR
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Effective resistance of resistors connected in parallel
The total current in the circuit is equal to the sum of the currents in its
parallel branches
2. I = I + I + I
= + +
= + +
1. The electromotive force (e.m.f.) is the work done by a source in driving a unit charge
around a complete circuit.
2. The internal resistance of a battery is the resistance against the moving charge due
to the electrolyte in the battery.
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4. The value of V is less than the e.m.f. , E of the battery. The difference between E and
V is due to the potential difference needed to drive the current I through the internal
resistance r of the battery. Hence,
to internal resistance
or
E = V + IR
Potential difference, V =
Hence ,
V= or E = V x Q
2. Since current is the rate of charge flow, the total charge flows through the two points
is given as :
Q=Ixt
E = VIt
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From ohm’s law, E = I²Rt =
Power = or P = =
Hence, P = VI
4. Power is measured in joule per second (J s¯¹). The power of 1 watt means that 1
joule of electrical energy is being released in every second.
5. The units for power are watt (W), kilowatt (kW) and megawatt (MW).
= Power x Time
= 1kW x 1h = 1 kWh
7. 1kW of electrical energy used is considered as 1 unit. The cost of using electrical
energy at home can be calculated by multiplying the number of units with the cost of 1
unit based on the tariff rate.
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