INDIAN SCHOOL AL GHUBRA

CLASS: X
SUBJECT: Physics
TOPIC : ELECTRICITY
➢ Electricity : - Electricity is a convenient and a controllable form of energy.

➢ Electric Charge :-Charge is a fundamental particle in an atom. It may be positive or negative.

➢ Properties of charges :
• Like charges repel each other.
• Unlike charges attract each other.
• Magnitude of charge is given by Q = ne where Q = Charge (total), n = No. of electrons
e = Charge on 1 electron = 1.6 × 10−19C
➢ What is the SI unit of electric charge ?
The SI unit of electric charge is coulomb [ C ] , which is equivalent to the charge contained in nearly
6 × 1018 electrons.

➢ Electric Circuit : - A continuous and a closed path of an electric current is called an electric circuit.

➢ What is a switch?
A switch makes a conducting link in an electric circuit.
If the circuit is broken anywhere or the switch is turned off the current stops flowing.

➢ Direction of electric current : Conventionally, in the electric circuit the direction of electric current is
taken as opposite to the direction of flow of electrons which are negative charges, that is, electric current
is considered to be the flow of positive charges and the direction of flow of positive charges is taken to
be the direction of electric current.

➢ Electric Current (I) : Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charges.
 It is expressed by the amount of charge flowing through a given area in unit time.
 If a net charge Q flows across any cross section of a conductor in a time t then the current I through
Q
the cross section this given by I =
t
 The SI unit of electric current is called ampere (A).

➢ Define one ampere.

1C
One ampere is constituted by the flow of one coulomb of charge per second, that is, 1A =
1s

➢ Name the instrument used to measure current. How is it connected in a circuit?

An instrument called ammeter measures electric current in a circuit. It is always connected in series in a
circuit through which the current is to be measured.

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➢ Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge.
Q
n=
e
1
n= -19
= 6.25 x 1018 electrons
1.6 x 10

➢ Electric Potential (V) :- The amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a given
point is called electric potential.
 If W is the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge Q from infinity to apoint, the electric
W
potential V =
Q
 The SI unit of electric potential is volt [ V ].

➢ Potential Difference (V) :- The potential difference between two points in an electric circuit carrying some
current is defined as the work done to move a unit charge from one point to another.
Work done ( W )
 Potential difference between two points ( V ) =
charge ( Q )
 The SI unit of electric potential is volt [ V ].

➢ Note : The potential difference may be produced by a battery, consisting of one or more electric cells.
The chemical action within a cell generates the potential difference across the terminals of the cell, even
when no current is drawn from it. When the cell is connected to a conducting circuit element, the
potential difference sets the charges in motion in the conductor and produces an electric current. In order
to maintain the current in a given electric cell, the cell has to expend the chemical energy stored in it.

➢ Define one volt.

One volt is the potential difference between two points in a current carrying conductor when 1 joule of
work is done to move a charge of 1 coulomb from one point to the other.
1 joule
Therefore, 1 volt =
1 coulomb
1J
1V =
1C

➢ Name the instrument used to measure the potential difference. How is it connected in a circuit?
The potential difference is measured by means of an instrument called the voltmeter. The voltmeter is
always connected in parallel across the points between which the potential difference is to be measured.

➢ What is a circuit diagram ?

It is a schematic diagram, in which different components of the circuit are represented by the symbols
conveniently used.

ISG/CLASS_X/PHYSICS_CH_12_ELECTRICITY 2
➢ Describe an activity to study Ohm’s law

Apparatus : Nichrome wire, voltmeter, ammeter, 4 cells, plug key

Procedure :
− Connect the circuit as shown.
− Tabulate the readings of voltmeter for potential difference
( V ) and ammeter for current ( I ) by increasing the number
of cells connected in series each time.
− Calculate the ratio V for each observation and plot a
I
graph between V ( along y axis) and I ( along x axis)

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 Sl.no. No. of cells connected Voltmeter reading [V] Ammeter reading [A] Resistance ( R ) = V/I [Ω]
1

Observations :
− Voltmeter and ammeter readings increase as the number of cells
increases.
V
− Same value for is obtained in each case.
I
− V I graph is a straight line passing through the origin as shown.

Conclusion :
V
− is a constant ratio and is equal to the resistance ( R ) of the nichrome wire.
I
− The straight line nature of the graph shows that current is directly proportional potential difference.
− The slope of V I graph gives us the resistance.

➢ State Ohm’s law. Give it’s mathematical expression.

The electric current I flowing through a metallic wire is directly proportional to the potential difference
V, across its ends provided its temperature remains the same.
VαI
V
= constant = R
I
V = IR where R is a constant for the given metallic wire at a
given temperature and is called its resistance.

➢ What is electric resistance? Mention it’s SI unit.

Electric resistance is the property of a conductor to resist the flow of charges through it.
The SI unit of resistance is ohm [ Ω ].

➢ Define one ohm.

If the potential difference across the two ends of a conductor is 1 V and the current through it is 1 A, then
the resistance R, of the conductoris 1 Ω.
1 volt
That is, 1 ohm =
1 ampere

➢ What do mean by a variable resistance?

A component used to regulate current without changing the voltage source is called variable resistance.
In an electric circuit, a device called rheostat is often used to change the resistance in the circuit.

ISG/CLASS_X/PHYSICS_CH_12_ELECTRICITY 4
➢
Good Conductor Resistor Poor Conductor Insulator
 A component of a  A conductor A component of  An insulator of
given size that offers a having some identical size that offers the same size
low resistance is a appreciable a higher resistance is a offers even
good conductor. resistance is poor conductor. higher
called a resistor. resistance.
 Very low electrical  High electrical  Infinitely high
resistivity resistivity resistivity
 Ex: silver, copper  Ex: tungsten,  Ex: glass, rubber,
aluminum etc nichrome etc wood etc

➢ What are the factors on which the resistance of a conductor depends? Explain
At a given temperature, the resistance of the conductor depends on
(i) on its length,
(ii) on its area of cross-section, and
(iii) on the nature of its material.

Precise measurements have shown that resistance of a uniform metallic conductor is directly proportional
to its length (l) and inversely proportional to the area of cross-section (A).
That is,
R∝ l (1)
1
R∝ (2)
A
Combining Eqs. (1) and ( 2) we get

R∝
A

R= where ρ (rho) is a constant of proportionality and is called
A
the electrical resistivity of the material of the conductor.

➢ What is electrical resistivity? Mention its SI unit.

Electrical resistivity of a material is are defined as the resistance of a conductor made of that material of
unit length and unit cross sectional area.

It is a characteristic property of the material. The S I unit of resistivity is Ohm meter [ Ωm ]

ISG/CLASS_X/PHYSICS_CH_12_ELECTRICITY 5
➢ Note :
▪ The metals and alloys have very low resistivity in the range of 10 –8 Ωm to 10–6 Ωm. They are good
conductors of electricity.
▪ Insulators like rubber and glass have resistivity of the order of 1012Ωm to 1017 Ωm.
▪ Both the resistance and resistivity of a material vary with temperature.
(i.e, as temperature increases, resistance and resistivity of the material also increase)

➢ Why are coils of electric toasters and electric irons made of an alloy rather than a pure metal?
The resistivity of an alloy is generally higher than that of its constituent metals. Alloys do not oxidise (burn)
readily at high temperatures. For this reason, they are commonly used in electrical heating devices, like
electric iron, toasters etc.

➢ Resistance of a system of Resistors : -

➢ Resistors in series
Consider an electric circuit in which three resistors having resistances R1, R2 and R3, respectively,
connected in series.

In a series combination of resistors

• the current is same in every part of the circuit or
the same current flows through each resistor
• the total potential difference across the
combination is equal to the sum of the potential
difference across the individual resistors

That is the potential difference V is equal to the sum of potential differences V 1, V2 and V3 across three
resistors having resistances R1, R2 and R3, respectively, connected in series.
That is, V = V1 + V2 + V3
On applying Ohm’s law to the three resistors separately, we have
V1 = IR1
V2 = IR2
V3 = IR3
Substituting for V
V = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
V = I ( R1 + R 2 + R 3 ) (1)
If the three resistors joined in series is replaced by an equivalent single resistor RS such that the potential
difference V across it and the current I through the circuit remains the same, then
V = IRS (2)
Comparing equation (1) and (2)
IRS = I ( R1 + R2 + R3 )
⸫ RS = R1 + R2 + R3
RS = R1 + R2 + R3 + . . . + Rn
If ‘n’ no. of resistors are connected in series, then

• When several resistors are joined in series, the resistance of the combination equals to the sum of
their individual resistances.

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 • The effective or equivalent resistance is greater than the individual resistance.
• If ‘n’ no. of equal resistors are connected in series then RS = n R

➢ Resistors in Parallel
Consider an electric circuit in which three resistors having resistances R1, R2 and R3, respectively,
connected in parallel.

In parallel combination of resistors

• the potential difference is the same across each resistor
• the total current across a combination of resistors is equal to
the sum of the separate current through each branch of the
combination.

That is the total current I is equal to the sum of separate current I1, I2 and I3 across three resistors having
resistances R1, R2 and R3, respectively, connected in parallel.
That is, I = I1 + I2 + I3
On applying Ohm’s law to the three resistors separately, we have
V
I1 =
R1
V
I2 =
R2
V
I3 =
R3
Substituting for I
V V V
I= + +
R1 R2 R3
 1 1 1 
I = V  + +  (1)
 R1 R2 R3 
If the three resistors joined in parallel is replaced by an equivalent single resistor RP such that the
potential difference V across it and the current I through the circuit remains the same, then
V
I= (2)
RP
Comparing equation (1) and (2)
V  1 1 1 
= V  + + 
RP  R1 R2 R3 
1 1 1 1
 = + +
R P R1 R 2 R3
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +... +
If ‘n’ no. of resistors are connected in parallel, then R P R1 R 2 R3 Rn

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 • When several resistors are joined in parallel, the reciprocal of the equal resistance of the combination
equals to the sum of the reciprocals of their individual resistances.
• The effective or equivalent resistance is lesser than the individual resistance.
1 n R
• If ‘n’ no. of equal resistors are connected in parallel then = RP =
RP R n

➢ What are the advantages of connecting electrical devices in parallel with the battery instead of
connecting them in series?
− When appliances are connected in parallel with the battery each appliance gets the same potential
difference as that of the battery, which is not possible in series combination.
− Each appliance has different resistance and requires different current to operate properly, this is
possible only in parallel combination, as in series connection same current flows through all devices.
− In series circuit when component fails, the circuit is broken and none of the component works,
whereas in parallel circuit even if one component fails others will continue to work.
− The total resistance in parallel circuit is decreased.

Heating Effect of Electric current

➢ What is heating effect of electric current?

When electric current flows through a conductor, a part of the electrical energy gets converted to heat.
this is known as heating effect of electric current.

➢ Derive the expression for Joule’s law of heating.

Consider a current I flowing through a resistor of resistance R.
Let the potential difference across it be V.
Let t be the time during which a charge Q flows across.
The work done in moving the charge Q through a potential
difference V is W = V Q.
Therefore, the source must supply energy E = V Q in time t.
Hence the power input to the circuit by the source is
W E 𝑉𝑄 Q
P= = = =V  =VI
t t 𝑡 t 
The energy supplied to the circuit by the source in time t is
E = P × t,
that is, E=VIt
This energy gets dissipated in the resistor as heat.
Thus for a steady current I, the amount of heat H produced in time t is H = V I t
Applying Ohm’s law (V = IR), H = I2 Rt ……. This is known as Joule’s law of heating.

➢ State Joule’s law of heating.

The law implies that heat produced ( H ) in a resistor is
(i) directly proportional to the square of current ( I ) for a given resistance,
(ii) directly proportional to resistance ( R ) for a given current, and
(iii) directly proportional to the time ( t ) for which the current flows through the resistor.
H = I2 Rt

ISG/CLASS_X/PHYSICS_CH_12_ELECTRICITY 8
➢ Why does the cord of an electric heater not glow while the heating element does?
The cord of an electric heater is made up of metallic wire such as copper or aluminium which has low
resistance while the heating element is made up of an alloy which has more resistance than its constituent
metals.
Also the heat produced H = I2 Rt
HαR for the same current I.
⸫ More heat is produced by the heating element as it has more resistance and it glows.

➢ Practical Applications of Heating Effect of Electric Current

− The heating effect of electric current is utilised in the manufacture of many heating appliances such
as electric heater, electric toaster, electric kettle, electric iron, electrical oven, etc ( all these
appliances contain coils of high resistance wire ( high value of resistivity) made up of nichrome alloy
called heating element).
− The heating effect of electric current can be used to produce light as in the case of an electric bulb.
It consists of a filament of made of fine coiled tungsten wire ( a strong metal with high melting point
and high value of resistivity ) enclosed in a glass bulb filled with chemically inactive nitrogen and
argon gas is to prolong the life of the filament.
− Electric fuse is an application Joule's law of electric current. An electric fuse is a safety device
( connected in series ) consisting of a piece of a thin wire of material ( generally an alloy of tin and
copper ) having an appropriate melting point and high resistivity, which melts and breaks the circuit
if the current exceeds a safe value, hence preventing the electrical appliances in the circuit from
getting damaged.

➢ What is Electric power? Derive the expression for Electric power.

The rate at which the rate at which electric energy is dissipated or consumed in an electric circuit is called
electric power.
Consider a current I flowing through a resistor of resistance
R.
Let the potential difference across it be V.
Let t be the time during which a charge Q flows across.
The work done in moving the charge Q through a potential
difference V is W = V Q.
Therefore, the source must supply energy E = V Q in time t.
Hence the power input to the circuit by the source is
W E 𝑉𝑄 Q
P= = = =V  =VI
t t 𝑡 t 

➢ Give the expression for electric power. Mention the SI unit of electric power.
The power P is given by P = VI
Or P = I2R
Or

The SI unit of electric power is watt (W).

ISG/CLASS_X/PHYSICS_CH_12_ELECTRICITY 9
➢ Define one watt.
One watt is the power consumed by a device that carries 1 A of current when operated at a potential
difference of 1 V. ( 1 W = 1 volt × 1 ampere = 1 VA )

➢ What is electrical energy?

Electrical energy is the product of power and time. i.e., E = P x t

➢ Define one watt hour.

One watt hour ( 1Wh ) is the electrical energy consumed when 1 watt of power is used for 1 hour.

➢ What is the commercial unit of electric energy? Express it in joule.

The commercial unit of electric energy is kilowatt hour (kWh), commonly known as ‘unit’.
1 kWh = 1000 watt × 3600 second
= 3.6 × 106 watt second
= 3.6 × 106 joule (J)

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