Chapter – Electricity

Topics:
Electric Current
Electric Circuit
Potential Difference

Formulae:
● Q=n×e
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑄
● I= 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
= 𝑡

𝑊
● V= 𝑄

Important Points:
● Rate of flow of net charge is called current. Denoted by (I)
● Electric current can also be defined as the amount of charge flowing through a unit
cross-section in per second.
● Ampere -Defined as one coulomb of charge flowing per second.
1𝐶
1A = 1𝑠
= 1Cs-1

● In an electric circuit the electric current flow in an opposite direction to the flow of
electron (–ve charge).This current is called conventional current. It flows from the
+ve terminal battery or cell to –ve terminal.
● Ammeter: It is an instrument used to measure the electric current in a circuit. It is
always connected in series in a circuit.  It has low resistance (practically). Ideally
ammeter’s resistance must be zero.
● A closed path along which the electric current flows is called electric circuit.
 ● Work done in carrying a unit charge from one point to another in an electric circuit
is called potential difference.
● SIunit of potential difference – Volt. Denoted  by “V”.
● One Volt - When 1 Joule of work is done in carrying one coulomb (1C)of charge
from one point to another of a current carrying conductor then the potential
difference is said to be IV.

● Voltmeter - It is an instrument used to measure the potential difference

● It is always connected in parallel across the points between which the potential
difference is to be measured. It has high resistance.
● Cell is the simplest device to maintain potential difference.
● Current always flow from higher potential to lower potential.
● A circuit diagram (electrical diagram, elementary diagram, electronic schematic) is a
graphical representation of an electric circuit.

Answer the following:

1 What does an electric circuit mean ? 1
m
2 Define the unit of current 1
m
3 Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge. 1
m
4 Name a device that helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor. 1
m
5 What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is IV? 1
m
6 How much energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V 1
battery ? m
7 How is a voltmeter connected in the circuit to measure the potential difference 1
between two points ? m
8 What is meant by electric current? Name and define its SI unit. In a conductor 5
electrons are flowing from B to A. What is the direction of conventional current? m
Give justification for your answer.
A steady current of 1 ampere flows through a conductor. Calculate the number
of electrons that flows through any section of the conductor in 1 second.
(Charge on electron 1.6 X 10-19 coulomb).
9 Define 1 volt. Express it in terms of SI unit of work and charge calculate the 2
amount of energy consumed in carrying a charge of 1 coulomb through a m
battery of 3 V.
10 Draw a labelled circuit diagram showing three resistors R1, R2 and R3 connected 2
in series with a battery (E), a rheostat (Rh), a plug key (K) and an ammeter (A) m
using standard circuit symbol. Use this circuit to show that the same current
flows through every part of the circuit.
11 How is an ammeter connected in a circuit to measure current flowing through 1
it? m
12 What do the following circuit symbols represent? 1
m

13 The charge possessed by an electron is 1.6 X 10-19 coulombs. Find the number 1
of electrons that will flow per second to constitute a current of 1 ampere. m
14 Explain the role of fuse in series with any electrical appliance in an electric 2
circuit. Why should a fuse with defined rating for an electric circuit not be m
replaced by one with a larger rating?
15 State the relation between work, charge and potential difference for an electric 2
circuit. m
Calculate the potential difference between the two terminals of a battery if 100
J of work is required to transfer 20 C of charge from one terminal of the battery
to the other.
16 What is an electric circuit? Distinguish between an open and a closed circuit. 1
m
17 Name a device that helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor. 1
m

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