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Dc circuits
NEE 311

Engr. Jessica Laine

Tumbaga

Voltage

To move the electron in a conductor in a particular direction

requires some work of energy transfer. This work is performed by
an external electromotive force (emf), typically represented by the
battery. This emf is also known as voltage or potential
difference.
Where:
w = energy (J)
q = charge (C)
= voltage (V)
1 volt = 1 joule/coulomb = 1 newton-meter/coulomb
VOLTAGE (POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE) is the energy required to
move a unit charge through an element, measured in volts (V).

Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

TRIVIA:
Alessandro Antonio Volta (1745
1827), an Italian physicist, invented the
electric batterywhich provided the rst
continuous ow of electricityand the
capacitor. Born into a noble family in
Como, Italy, Volta was performing
electrical experiments at age 18. His
invention of the battery in 1796
revolutionized the use of electricity. The
publication of his work in 1800 marked
the beginning of electric circuit theory.
Volta received many honors during his
lifetime.

Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

For example, in Fig. above, we have two representations of the

same voltage. In Fig. (a), point a is 9V above point b; in Fig. (b),
point b is V above point a. We may say that in Fig. (a), there is a 9V voltage drop from a to b or equivalently a 9-V voltage rise from b
to a. In other words, a voltage drop from a to b is equivalent to a
voltage rise from b to a.
Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

The common term signal is used for an electric quantity such as a

current or a voltage (or even electromagnetic wave) when it is used
for conveying information.
Like electric current, a constant voltage is called a dc voltage and is
represented by V, whereas a sinusoidally time-varying voltage is
called an ac voltage and is represented by v. A dc voltage is
commonly produced by a battery; ac voltage is produced by an
electric generator.
Keep in mind that electric current is always through an element
and that electric voltage is always across the element or between
two points.

Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

Power and Energy

Although current and voltage are the two basic variables in an

electric circuit, they are not sufcient by themselves. For practical
purposes, we need to know how much power an electric device can
handle.
P
Where:
P = power (W)
w = energy (J)
t = time (s)
1 volt = 1 joule/coulomb
= 1 newton-meter/coulomb
POWER is the time rate of expending or absorbing energy,
measured in watts (W).

Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

PASSIVE SIGN CONVENTION is satised when the current

enters through the positive terminal of an element and p=+vi. If
the current enters through the negative terminal, p= -vi.
The positive sign indicates a power absorbed while the negative
sign indicates a power supplied.

Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

This again conrms the fact that the total power supplied to the
circuit must balance the total power absorbed.
ENERGY is the capacity to do work, measured in joules (J).

The electric power utility companies measure energy in watt-hours

(Wh), where
1 Wh = 3,600 J
Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

Problems:

1. An energy source forces a constant current of 2 A for 10 s to ow

through a light bulb. If 2.3 kJ is given off in the form of light and heat
energy, calculate the voltage drop across the bulb.
Ans. 115V
2. To move charge q from point a to point b requires - 30J. Find the
voltage drop vab if: (a)q = 6C, (b) q= -3C. Ans. -5V, 10V
3. Find the power delivered to an element at t=3ms if the current
entering its positive terminal is i = 5cos60t A and the voltage is: (a) v
= 3i, (b) .v = 3 di/dt.
Ans. 53.48W, -6.396kW
4. Find the power delivered to the element in Example 3 at t=5ms if the
current remains the same but the voltage is: (a) v=2i V, (b) v= (10+ ) V.
Ans. 17.27W, 29.7W
5. How much energy does a 100-W electric bulb consume in two hours?
Ans. 200Wh
6. A stove element draws 15 A when connected to a 240-V line. How long
does it take to consume 180 kJ? Ans. 50s
Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15

10

A man who has committed a mistake

and doesn't correct it is committing
another mistake.
confucius

~The End~
Engr. J.L.
Tumbaga

7/22/15