ACM 01

Basic Electrical Engineering

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

 3.1 OHM’S LAW

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’S LAW: HISTORY
Georg Simon Ohm was born in Erlangen, Bavaria, on March 16, 1787. His father was a master mechanic
who determined that his son should obtain an education in science.
Although Ohm became a teacher in a high school, he had aspirations to receive a university appointment.
The only way that such an appointment could be realized would be if Ohm could produce important
results through scientific research.
Since the science of electricity was in its infancy, and because the electric cell had recently been invented
by the Italian Conte Alessandro Volta, Ohm decided to study the behavior of current in resistive circuits.
Because equipment was expensive and hard to come by, Ohm made much of his own, thanks, in large
part, to his father’s training. Using this equipment, Ohm determined experimentally that the amount of
current transmitted along a wire was directly proportional to its cross-sectional area and inversely
proportional to its length.
From these results, Ohm was able to define resistance and show that there was a simple relationship
between voltage, resistance, and current. This result, now known as Ohm’s law, is probably the most
fundamental relationship in circuit theory.
However, when published in 1827, Ohm’s results were met with ridicule. As a result, not only did Ohm
miss out on a university appointment, he was also forced to resign from his high school teaching position.
While Ohm was living in poverty and shame, his work became known and appreciated outside Germany. In
1842, Ohm was appointed a member of the Royal Society. Finally, in 1849, he was appointed as a professor
at the University of Munich, where he was at last recognized for his important contributions.

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’S LAW
Using a circuit similar in concept to this, Ohm determined
experimentally that current in a resistive circuit is directly
proportional to its applied voltage and inversely proportional
to its resistance.
In equation form, Ohm’s law states
𝐸
𝐼= 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑠, 𝐴 𝐸𝑞. 3.1
𝑅
Or 𝐸 = 𝐼𝑅 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠, 𝑉 𝐸𝑞. 3.2
Where
𝐸 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 𝑉
𝑅 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠 Ω
𝐼 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 (𝐴)

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

 OHM’S LAW
The proportional relationship between voltage and current
described by Eq. 3.1 may be demonstrated by direct
substitution as indicated in Figure 3.1.
For a fixed resistance, doubling the voltage as shown in (b)
doubles the current, while tripling the voltage as shown in (c)
triples the current, and so on.

Figure 3.1For a fixed resistance, current is directly proportional to voltage; doubling the voltage as in
(b) doubles the current, while tripling the voltage as in (c) triples the current, and so on.

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’S LAW
The inverse relationship between resistance and current is
demonstrated in Figure 3.2.
For a fixed voltage, doubling the resistance as shown in (b)
halves the current, while tripling the resistance as shown in (c)
reduces the current to one third of its original value, and so
on.

Figure 3.2 For a fixed voltage, current is inversely proportional to resistance; thus, doubling
the resistance as in (b) halves the current, while tripling the resistance as in (c) results in one-
third the current, and so on.

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’s LAW
The relationship between current
and voltage described by Eq. 3.1
may be shown graphically as in
figure 3.3. The graphs which are
straight lines, show clearly that
the relationship between voltage
and current is linear.

Figure 3.3 Graphical representation of

Ohm’s Law

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’s LAW: VOLTAGE SYMBOL
Two different symbols
are used to represent
voltage.
For source, use upper
case E (Emf);
For loads (and other
components), use upper
case V(voltage).
This is illustrated in Figure 3.4 Symbols used to represent
Figure 3.4. voltage

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’s LAW: CONCEPT OF ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE

The free electrons are responsible for the flow of electric

current.
To understand this, a conductor is one which has an abundant
free electrons. The free electrons such a conductor are always
moving in random directions.
An electric effort required to drift the free electrons in one particular
direction, in a conductor is called Electromotive force (Emf).
As External electric effort (electrical cell) is applied, the free
electrons are negatively charged, get attracted by positive of
the cell connected. And this is the reason why electrons get
aligned in one particular direction under the influence of an
electromotive force (emf).

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’s LAW: CONCEPT OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND
POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
• When two similarly charged particles are brought near, they
try to repel each other while dissimilar charges attract each
other. This means, every charged particle has a tendency to
do work.
• This ability of charged particle to do the work is called its
electric potential. The unit of electric potential is volt.
• The electric potential at a point due to a charge is one volt if
one joule of work is done in bringing a unit positive charge.
Mathematically expressed as,
𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑊 𝐽
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 = = 𝑖𝑛
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑄 𝐶

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’s LAW: CONCEPT OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND
POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
• In electric circuits flow of current is always from higher
electric potential to lower electric potential.
• The difference between the electric potential at any two
given points in a circuit is known as Potential Difference
(pd).
• This is also called voltage between the two given points and
• Measured in volts (V).

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

OHM’s LAW
From Eq. 3.1. Using the symbol V, Ohm’s law may be rewritten
in its several forms as
𝑉 𝑉
𝐼= 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑠, 𝐴 ; 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠, 𝑉 ; 𝑅 = [𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠, Ω]
𝑅 𝐼
These relationships hold for every resistor in a circuit, no
matter how complex the circuit. Since V=IR, these voltages are
often referred to as IR drops or Voltage Drop.

Figure 3.5 Voltage drop across a resistor

For any resistor, in any network, the direction of current through a resistor will define the polarity of
the voltage drop across the resistor.

For voltage (voltage drop) across a resistor, always place the plus sign at the tail of the current
reference arrow.

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXAMPLE
Ex.3.1 Determine the potential difference which must be
applied to a 2𝑘Ω resistor in order that a current of 10𝑚𝐴 may
flow.
Solution: From Ohm’s law, potential difference,
𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
∴ 𝑉 = 10𝑥10−3 2𝑥103
𝑉 = 20 𝑉
Ex.3.2 A coil has a current of 50𝑚𝐴 flowing through it when
the applied voltage is 12𝑉. What is the resistance of the coil?
Solution:
𝑉 12
𝑅= =
𝐼 50𝑥10−3
∴ 𝑅 = 240 Ω

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXAMPLE
Ex.3.3 A 100𝑉 battery is connected across a resistor and
causes a current of 5𝑚𝐴 to flow. Determine the resistance of
the resistor, if the voltage is now reduced to 25V and what will
be the new value of the current flowing?
Solution:
@ 100 V, 5𝑚𝐴, R=?
𝑉 100
𝑅= = = 20𝑘Ω
𝐼 5𝑥10−3
@ 25V, resistance R is constant ∴ 𝑅 = 20𝑘Ω , I=?
𝑉 25
𝐼= =
𝑅 20𝑥103
𝐼 = 1.25𝑥10−3
𝐼 = 1.25𝑚𝐴

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXAMPLE
Ex. 3.4 A dc supply of 100 V is connected across a coil. At
room temperature of 25℃, it drew a current of 13 𝐴. After
sometime, its temperature was 70℃ and the current reduced
to 8.5 𝐴. Find the current it will draw when its temperature
increases further to 80℃.
Solution: As temperature changes, resistance of the coil also
changes. Note: dc supply is constant at 100V
Condition 1: at 25℃, 100V
𝑉 100
𝑅1 = =
𝐼 13
Condition 2: at 70℃ , 100 V
𝑉 100
𝑅2 = =
𝐼 8.5

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXAMPLE
Let resistance at 25℃ as the initial resistance and 25℃ as the
initial temperature.
Now, obtain the coefficient of temperature at 25℃
𝑅2 = 𝑅1 1 + 𝛼1 𝑇2 − 𝑇1
100 100
= 1 + 𝛼1 70 − 25
8.5 13
100 100
− 13
𝛼1 = 8.5
100
70 − 25 13
1
𝛼1 = 𝑝𝑒𝑟 ℃
85

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXAMPLE
∴resistance at 80℃
𝑅3 = 𝑅1 1 + 𝛼1 𝑇3 − 𝑇1
100 1
𝑅3 = 1+ 80 − 25
13 85
2800
𝑅3 = Ω
221
∴From eq. 3.1,at a constant voltage of 100V
𝑉 100
𝐼= =
𝑅 2800
221
221
𝐼= 𝐴 𝑜𝑟 𝐼 = 7.892857143 𝐴
28

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

 3.2 POWER AND
ENERGY

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

POWER AND ENERGY
Power is defined as the time rate of expending or absorbing energy
or as equivalently, as the rate of transfer of energy.
𝑊
𝑃= 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑊 𝐸𝑞. 3.3
𝑡
As we recall, voltage is defined as energy per unit charge and
current as the rate of transfer of charge

𝑊 𝑄
𝑉 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 𝑉 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 = 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝐴 𝐸𝑞. 3.4
𝑄 𝑡

From Eq. 3.4, 𝑊 = 𝑄𝑉 substituting this into Eq.3.3 yields

𝑃 = 𝑄𝑉/𝑡, replacing 𝑄/𝑡 with 𝐼, we get;

𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑊 𝐸𝑞. 3.5

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

POWER AND ENERGY
And for a source,
𝑃 = 𝐸𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑊 𝐸𝑞. 3.6

Additional relationship (Power Dissipated) using ohm’s law

𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑊 𝐸𝑞. 3.7

And
𝑉2
𝑃= 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑊 𝐸𝑞. 3.8
𝑅

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

POWER AND ENERGY
In Eq. 3.3, we defined power as the rate of expending or
absorbing energy or just simply the rate of doing work. From
the given equation, we can get energy as;
𝑊 = 𝑃𝑡 𝐸𝑞. 3.9
If t is measured in seconds, W has a unit of watt-seconds
(Joules (J)), while if t is measured in hours, W has a unit of
watthours (Wh).
Note that in Eq. 3.9, P must be constant over the time interval
under consideration.
The most familiar example of energy usage is the energy that
we use in our homes and pay for on our utility bills. This
energy is the energy used by the lights and electrical
appliances in our homes. The kilowatt-hours (kWh) is the unit
used on your utility bill.
For multiple loads, the total energy is the sum of the energy
of individual loads (i.e. lights, electrical appliances, motors)

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

Example
Ex.3.5 Calculate the power dissipated when a current of 4𝑚𝐴
flows through a resistance of 5𝑘Ω.
Solution: Power dissipated
𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅
𝑃 = 4𝑥10−3 2 5𝑥103
∴ 𝑃 = 80𝑚𝑊

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

Example
Ex.3.6 The power taken by a 500 ft resistive coil made of copper
wire is 250 watts at 110 volts. Resistivity of copper is 10.4 Ω-CM/ft.
Calculate the cross-sectional area of the coil in circular mil?
Solution: From 𝑅 = 𝜌𝐿/𝐴 ,we get
𝜌𝐿
𝐴=
𝑅
From eq. 3.8
𝑉 2 (110)2 242
𝑅= = = Ω
𝑃 250 5
𝜌𝐿 (10.4)(500)
∴𝐴= =
𝑅 242
5
∴ 𝐴 = 107.4380165 𝐶𝑀

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

Example
Ex.3.7 The power taken by a resistive coil conductor is 220W at 110V
and 20℃. Calculate the power consumed by the coil at 110V and
120℃. The temperature coefficient of resistance at 20℃ is 0.00393/℃.
Solution:
Condition 1: at 20℃, 𝑃 = 220𝑊; 110 𝑉
𝑉2 𝑉2 1102
𝑃= ;𝑅 = ,𝑅 = ; 𝑅 = 55Ω, 𝑎𝑡 20℃
𝑅 𝑃 220
Condition 2: at 120℃, 𝑃 =?;110 𝑉
Find first the resistance at 120℃,
𝑅2 = 𝑅1 1 + 𝛼1 𝑡2 − 𝑡1
𝑅120 = 55 1 + 0.00393/℃ 120 − 20
𝑅120 = 76.615Ω
At 120℃,
𝑃 = 𝑉 2 /𝑅
𝑃 = 110 2 /76.615
∴ 𝑃 = 157.9325197 𝑊

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

Example
Ex.3.8 It is required to maintain a loading of 5kW in a heating
unit. At an initial temperature of 15℃, a voltage of 200V is
necessary for this purpose. When the unit is settled down to a
steady temperature, a voltage of 220V is required to maintain
the same loading. Determine the final temperature of the
heating element, if the resistance temperature coefficient of
the heating element is 0.0006 per ℃ at 0℃.
Solution: Final temperature 𝑇2 =?, at 𝑉 = 220 𝑉, 𝑃 = 5𝑘𝑊
(maintained loading). First find the resistance at 15℃ and
Final temperature 𝑇2 .

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

Example
Condition 1: at 15℃, 𝑉 = 200 𝑉,
𝑃 = 5𝑘𝑊 (maintained loading)
𝑉 2 (200)2
𝑅1 = = 3 = 8Ω
𝑃 5𝑥10
Condition 2: 𝑅2 at Final temperature 𝑡2 =?, at 𝑉 = 220 𝑉,
𝑃 = 5𝑘𝑊 (maintained loading).
𝑉 2 (220)2
𝑅2 = = 3
= 9.68Ω
𝑃 5𝑥10

𝑅2 = 𝑅1 1 + 𝛼1 𝑇2 − 𝑇1
With given temperature coefficient at 0℃, can be
rewritten as
𝑅2 = 𝑅0 1 + 𝛼0 𝑇2 𝑜𝑟 𝑅1 = 𝑅0 1 + 𝛼0 𝑇1
LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy
Example
Taking 𝑅2 /𝑅1
𝑅2 𝑅0 1 + 𝛼0 𝑇2
=
𝑅1 𝑅0 1 + 𝛼0 𝑇1
𝑅2 1 + 𝛼0 𝑇2
=
𝑅1 1 + 𝛼0 𝑇1
𝑅2 1 + 𝛼0 𝑡1
𝑅1 −1
∴ 𝑇2 =
𝛼0
9.68Ω 1 + (0.0006/℃)(15℃)
−1
8Ω
=
0.0006/℃
∴ 𝑇2 = 368.15℃

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

Example
Ex.3.9 Determine the total energy used by a 100W lamp for 12 hours and a 1.5kW
heater for 45 minutes.
Solution: The total energy is the sum of the energy of individual loads
𝑊 = 𝑃𝑡
𝑊 = 100𝑊 12ℎ + (1500𝑊)(0.75ℎ)
𝑊 = 2.325𝑘𝑊ℎ
Ex.3.10 Suppose, you use the following electrical appliances: a 1.5kW heater for 7 ½
hours; a 3.6 kW broiler for 17 minutes; three 100W lamps for 4 hours; and a 900W
toaster for 6 minutes. At Php 9.50 per kilowatt-hour, how much will this cost you?
Solution: The total energy is the sum of the energy of individual loads
𝑊 = 𝑃𝑡
𝑊 = 1.5𝑥103 𝑊 7.5ℎ + 3.6𝑥103 𝑊 17 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 1ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 60 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
+ 3 100𝑊 4 ℎ + (900𝑊) 6 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 1ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 60 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
𝑊 = 13.56𝑘𝑊ℎ
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 = 13.56𝑘𝑊ℎ 𝑃ℎ𝑝 9.50/𝑘𝑊ℎ
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 = 𝑃ℎ𝑝 128.82

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

 EXERCISE

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXERCISE
1. The portable lightning equipment for a mine is located
100 meter from its dc supply source. The mine lights
use a total of 5kW and operate at 120V dc. Determine
the required cross-sectional area of the copper wires
used to connect the source to the mine lights if we
require that the power lost in the copper wires be less
than or equal to 5 percent of the power required by
the mine lights. Assume Hard-drawn copper wire.
𝐴𝑛𝑠. 𝐴 = 0.2458333333 𝑐𝑚2

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXERCISE
2. As the temperature of a heating element changes, its
resistance also changes, and so does the temperature
coefficient. In a certain case, the temperature varies linearly
with time and is given by 𝑇℃ = 20 + 10𝑡 where 𝑡 is time in
seconds. The temperature coefficient of the material is 0.006
per °𝐶 at 0°𝐶. If the heating element is connected across a
230V source, calculate the power after 15 seconds. Assume:
Resistance of the heating element is 2Ω at t=0.
Ans. ∴ 𝑃 = 14.66534653 𝑘𝑊

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

EXERCISE
3. Two resistors wound with round copper wire. The
length and the diameter of the first wire are L and A
respectively and those of the second wire are one-
fourth of the length and one-half of the diameter of
the first wire. Determine the ratios of powers 𝑃1 /𝑃2
for the two resistors if the same current flows
through the two resistor.
Ans. 2
4. A source of emf of 15V supplies a current of 2A for
six minutes. How much energy is provided in this
time?
Ans. 10.8 𝑘𝐽

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy

5. A business uses two 3 kW fires for an average of
20 hours each per week, and six 150 W lights for 30
hours each per week. If the cost of electricity is 7p
per unit, determine the weekly cost of electricity to
the business.
Ans. 1029𝑝

LECTURE 3 – Ohm’s Law, Power and Energy