CHAPTER 15

Current
Electricity

2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

Chapter 15 Current Electricity

15.1 Electric Current

15.2 Electromotive Force and
Potential Difference
15.3 Resistance

15.1 Electric Current

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
define the term current and state its SI unit;
differentiate between conventional current and
electron flow;
apply the formula charge = current time to solve
problems;
draw electric circuit diagrams.

15.1 Electric Current

Class Demonstration
Questions
1. What is the function of the battery in the
circuit?
2. Why does the bulb light up?
3. Why does the bulb only light up when the
switch is closed?
4. What flows in the wires when the switch is
closed?

15.1 Electric Current

What is Electric Current?
An electric current is formed by moving charges.
An electric current is a measure of the rate of flow of electric
charge through a given cross-section of a conductor.

Q
I
t

where I = current;
Q = charge;
t = time taken.

The SI unit of electric current is the ampere (A).

15.1 Electric Current

Conventional Current and Electron Flow
Before the discovery of electrons,
scientists believed that electric current
was caused by the movement of
positive charges.
Although this idea was later proven
wrong, the idea remains.
This movement of positive charges is
called conventional current.
Electric current is actually caused by the flow of electrons
from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.

15.1 Electric Current

How do We Measure Electric Current?

We make use of an ammeter

to measure current.
The ammeter should be
connected in series to the
circuit.

15.1 Electric Current

Main Components of a Circuit
A typical electric circuit consists of four main components.
A source of electromotive force
that drives electric charges around
the circuit.

Wires

Conductors that connect the

components together.

Dry cell

A load in which moving charges

can do a useful job.

Switch

A method of opening or closing the

circuit.

Bulb

15.1 Electric Current

Drawing Circuit Diagrams
Electric circuits can be represented by circuit diagrams.
Can you identify what the symbols in the circuit diagram
below represent?
ammeter

bulb

cell

connecting wires
switch

15.1 Electric Current

Drawing Circuit Diagrams
Some common components and their symbols are listed
in the tables below.

15.1 Electric Current

Interpreting Circuit Diagrams

Open circuit
A circuit in which current is unable to flow due to
breaks in the circuit.

15.1 Electric Current

Interpreting Circuit Diagrams

Short circuit
An alternative path of lower resistance is present and
hence, current flows through wire X instead of the bulb.

Chapter 15 Current Electricity

15.1 Electric Current

15.2 Electromotive Force and
Potential Difference
15.3 Resistance

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
define electromotive force (e.m.f.) and potential
difference (p.d);
state the SI unit of e.m.f. and p.d.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
Recall
We saw this circuit
in Section 15.1.

What is the role of the

battery in the circuit?
Why do you need a battery to
make the bulb light up?

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
What is Electromotive
Force?
A battery functions like a water
pump.
A water pump does work (providing
energy) to drive the water around
the pipe.
The water pump does not supply the
water in the pipe.
Likewise, a battery does work to
drive electrons around the circuit.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
What is Electromotive Force?
The electromotive force (e.m.f) of an electrical energy
source is defined as the work done by the source in
driving a unit charge around a complete circuit.

Q
where = e.m.f. of electrical energy source;
W = work done (amount of non-electrical energy

converted to electrical energy);

Q = amount of charge.

The SI unit of e.m.f is the joule per coulomb (J C1) or volt (V).

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
How do We Measure E.m.f.?
We make use of a
voltmeter to measure
e.m.f.
The positive and negative
terminals of a voltmeter
should be connected to the
positive and negative
terminals respectively of
the electrical source.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
Activity (Group)
Objective
Measure and observe the e.m.f. of different
arrangements of dry cells.
Instructions
1. In groups, set up the circuits shown below.
+

2. Record the voltmeter readings.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
Arrangement of Cells
Series arrangement
When cells are arranged in series,
the resultant e.m.f. is the sum of
all the e.m.f.s of the cells.
Parallel arrangement
When cells are arranged in parallel,
the resultant e.m.f. is equal to that
of a single cell.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
What is Potential Difference?
The potential difference (p.d.) across a component in
an electric circuit is the work done to drive a unit
charge through the component.

W
V
Q
where V = p.d. across a component;
W = work done (amount of electrical energy
converted to other forms);

Q = amount of charge.

The SI unit of potential difference is the volt (V).

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
How do We Measure P.d.?
We make use of a voltmeter to measure p.d.
The voltmeter should be connected in parallel
with the component.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
E.m.f. versus P.d.
Electromotive force

Potential difference

Associated with an
electrical energy source
(e.g. a dry cell)

Associated with two points

in an electric circuit

It is the work done by the

source in driving a unit
charge around a
complete circuit.

It is the work done to

drive a unit charge
through two points.

15.2 Electromotive Force

and Potential Difference
Question
+

V
V

What will the voltmeter reading show?

A The e.m.f. of the electrical source
B The e.m.f. of the bulb
C The potential difference across the bulb

Chapter 15 Current Electricity

15.1 Electric Current

15.2 Electromotive Force and
Potential Difference
15.3 Resistance

15.3 Resistance
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
define the term resistance;
apply the formula resistance =
to solve problems;

p.d.
current

describe an experiment to determine resistance.

15.3 Resistance
Recall
Earlier, we used the
water pump analogy to
help us understand
e.m.f.
obstacle

Question
Predict what will happen if a porous plate (an obstacle)
is placed in the path of the water flow.

15.3 Resistance
What is Resistance?

resistor

Resistor
Resistor
added
added

Rate of flow of
electric charges
reduced

Current is
reduced

Ammeter
reading will
be reduced

Resistance is a measure of how difficult it is for an electric

current to pass through a material.
It is the property of the material that restricts the movement of
free electrons in the material.

15.3 Resistance
What is Resistance?
The resistance of a component is the ratio of the
potential difference across the component to the
current flowing through the component.

V
R
I
where R = resistance of a component;
V = p.d. across a component;
I = current flowing through component.

The SI unit of resistance is the ohm ().

17.3 Resistance
Ohms Law
Ohms Law states that the current passing through a
metallic conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference across it, provided that physical
conditions remain constant.

I V
where I = current;
V = potential difference.

15.3 Resistance
Circuit for Measuring Resistance
Note that:
The ammeter is
connected in series
with the bulb.
The voltmeter is
connected in parallel
with the bulb.

15.3 Resistance
In the circuit shown,
Light bulb

Wires

Ammeter

R=0

Voltmeter

R=

All the components in the circuit actually have resistance.

However, we often take the resistance of the wires, switches
and ammeter to be negligible. That is, they are assumed to
have zero resistance.
The voltmeter is considered to have infinite resistance. That is,
the resistance of the voltmeter is so high that no current flows
through the voltmeter.

15.3 Resistance
What are Resistors?
A resistor is a conductor in a circuit that is used to
control the size of the current flowing in a circuit.
There are two types of resistors fixed resistors
and variable resistors (or rheostats).

15.3 Resistance
Rheostat

Minimum
Resistance

Slider

Metal Rod

A
curren
t

Connected
to other
parts of the
circuit

rre
u
c nt

Coil of resistance wire

curren
t

curre
nt

Connected to other
parts of the circuit

When the slider is at Position A (all the way

to the left), the current from the circuit will
flow up the slider thus bypassing the whole
coil of resistance wire.

15.3 Resistance
Rheostat
Slider

Metal Rod

rre
u
c nt

current

curre
nt

curren
t

current

Current flowing through

the Coil of resistance
wire

When the slider is at a position in between A and B,

the current from the circuit will flow through part of
the coil of resistance wire before flowing up to the
metal rod via the slider.

15.3 Resistance
Maximum
Resistance
Metal Rod

curre
nt

curren
t

Slider
B
curre
nt

Rheostat

rre
u
c nt

Current flowing through

the coil of resistance wire

When the slider is at position B (all the way to the

right), the current from the circuit will flow through
the whole coil of resistance wire before flowing up
to the metal rod via the slider.

15.3 Resistance
Rheostat
Slider

Metal Rod

n
re
r
cu t

curren
t

curren
t

curre
nt

current

Current flowing through

the Coil of resistance
wire

Therefore, by moving the slider along the metal rod, the length of the
wire (in the coil) through which the current flows can be varied. In
turn, the resistance can be varied. (i.e. increase in length of the wire
through which the current flows increases the resistance)

15.3 Resistance
Resistance in a Wire
Resistivity of
Material,

Cross sectional
Area, A

Length of wire, L

Resistance in a Wire
Increase in the number of
atoms/ions/particles increase
chances of collisions by electrons
increase resistance to the flow
of electrons

Shorter L, Smaller R

Longer L, Larger R

RL
Increase in cross sectional area
increase space for electrons to
move reduce resistance to the
flow of electrons

Smaller A, Larger R

Larger A, Smaller R

17.4 Resistivity
Resistivity,
Different materials have
different resistivity.
Resistivity is a property of
the material and it is
independent of the
dimensions of the
material.
The lower the resistivity of
a material, the better it is
at conducting electricity.

15.3 Resistance
Worked Example
A 3 V source is connected to a light
bulb, as shown in the diagram.
The ammeter registers a reading of
0.2 A.
(a) State the reading on the
voltmeter.
(b) Determine the resistance of the
light bulb.
(c) The circuit is switched on for five
minutes. Determine the amount
of
(i) charge;
(ii) energy dissipated in the bulb.

15.3 Resistance
Solution

Circuit Arrangement
Series arrangement
E.M.F:
resultant e.m.f. = sum of all the e.m.f.s of the cells (= 1.5 + 1.5 + 1.5 = 4.5 V)
P.d.:
Sum of P.d.s = P.d.1 + P.d.2 = e.m.f. = 4.5V
Current, I:
Current is the same throughout the circuit

1.5 V 1.5 V 1.5 V

I

P.d. 1

P.d. 2

Circuit Arrangement
Parallel arrangement
E.M.F:
resultant e.m.f. = e.m.f. of a single cell (= 1.5 V)
1.5 V
I

P.d.:
P.d is the same
P.d.1 = P.d.2 = e.m.f. (= 1.5 V)
Current, I:
Current I = I1 + I2 = Ammeter reading

P.d. 1

I1
I

Note:
- Current does not flow through voltmeter as it has very
high resistance
- Current flowing through ammeter is not affected because it
has very low resistance

I2

P.d. 2

Circuit Arrangement
Light Bulbs Brightness
Series arrangement
I
I

1.5 V 1.5 V 1.5 V

Bulb 1

Parallel arrangement

Bulb 2
I

P.d. 1

P.d. 2

4.5 V

Brightness

<

V
I1

A
Bulb 1

I2
Bulb 2

If Bulb 1 and Bulb 2 are the same type, then I1

Current is the same throughout the circuit. Both
bulbs has the same current I flowing through
= I2. Therefore Bulb 1 and Bulb 2 will have the
them. Therefore they will have the same
same brightness.
brightness.
Bulbs in parallel are brighter than bulbs in series.

KC
In series, current
flowing through
circuit is the same.
In parallel, p.d.
across components
are the same.

Re
Ohms Law
V=IR
Power used by
bulb
P=VI

Me
For series, current is
halved as p.d. is halved.
P.d. across each
component is halved as
resistance of each
component is the same.
Less energy to send
charge through
component hence charge
flows at a slower rate.
For parallel, p.d. across
each component is the
same as emf hence same
amount of energy to send
charge through
component thus current
through component is
doubled (compared to
series)

Light Bulbs Brightness

Bulbs in parallel are brighter than bulbs in series.

Series arrangement
I
I

1.5 V 1.5 V 1.5 V

Bulb 1

Parallel arrangement
Brightness

Bulb 2
I

P.d. 1

P.d. 2

4.5 V

Proof:
Assume resistance of light bulb is 1
V=IR
2.25 =I(1)
I = 2.25A
P=VI=(4.5/2)(2.25)=5.0625W
Current through bulb halved as p.d.
halved. P.d. halved as 2 bulbs
(resistance doubled)

<

V
I1

A
Bulb 1

I2
Bulb 2

Proof:
Assume resistance of light bulb is 1
V=I1R
4.5=I1(1)
I1=4.5A
P=VI1=(4.5)(4.5)=20.25W
P.d. across bulbs are the same as emf
hence current is doubled compared to
series

Circuit Arrangement
Question
What is the relationship between P.d 1, P.d 2 and e.m.f.?
1.5 V

1.5 V

P.d. 1

I1

P.d. 1

I1

I2

P.d. 2

P.d. 1 = P.d. 2 = e.m.f. = 1.5 V

I2

P.d. 2

P.d. 1 = P.d. 2 e.m.f.

Formulae
1. I =

OR Q = It

2. R =
3. V =
4. P = VI

OR V = IR
OR E = QV

Chapter 15 Current Electricity

Electric
current I
(SI unit: A)
I=

Q
t

where
t = time

defined as
rate of flow
of

wher
e

wher
e

W
Q

wher
e

Charge Q
(SI unit:
C)

Electromotive
force
(SI unit: V)

where =

Resistance
R
(SI unit: )

related
to

W = work done by
source
to drive a unit
charge
around the circuit

related
to

R
=
Potential
difference V
(SI unit: V)

V
where =

wher
e

W
Q

W = work done to
drive a unit
charge through a
component

V
I

Key Concepts

Only electrons flow. Protons are held tightly in nucleus.

Current is rate of flow of charges specifically electrons.
Conventional current is movement of protons. Electron
flow is opposite to conventional current.
Current flow is due to potential difference. Without
potential difference, there is no flow of current.
Current flows in path of least resistance.
Current entering a junction equals current exiting a
junction (Kirchoffs Law)
A battery/cell is drained when it does not enough
energy to drive charges
Parallel circuits have the same potential difference
Series circuits have the same current

Key Concepts (continued)

Resistance affects current flow. Higher resistance results

in a smaller current.
Ohms Law states that current flowing through
conductor is directly proportional to the potential
difference across it given that temperature of conductor
does not change.
Resistance is dependent on cross sectional area of wire,
length of wire and resistivity of wire material.