Chapter 12: ELECTRICITY

Class: X Subject: Physics

Lecture: 1
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Introduction:
Electricity has an important place in modern society. It is a controllable and convenient form of
energy for a variety of uses in homes, schools, hospitals, industries and so on. What constitutes
electricity? How does it flow in an electric circuit? What are the factors that control or regulate the
current through an electric circuit?
In this Chapter, we shall to answer to such questions. We shall also discuss the heating effect of
electric current and its applications.

Overview of the chapter:

The sub topics of this chapter are:

1. Electric Current and Circuit
2. Electric Potential and Potential Difference
3. Circuit Diagram
4. Ohm’s Law
5. Factors on which the resistance of a conductor depends
6. Resistance of a system of resistors
7. Heating effect of electric current
8. Electric Power
The following topics would be discussed in the first lecture:

• Electric Current and Circuit

• Electric Potential and Potential Difference
• Circuit Diagram
• Instruments with symbols and functions

Content description

1. Charge (Q):

• Charge is a characteristic unit of matter by means of which matter experiences electric forces.
It can be either negative (electron) or positive (proton).
• “coulomb” is the SI unit of charge, represented by C.
• 1 coulomb is equivalent to the charge contained in nearly electrons.

2. Current (I)

• 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.
• SI unit of current is ampere, denoted by A.
• ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge flowing per second.

• In an electric circuit the electric current flow in an opposite direction to the flow of electrons.
This current is called conventional current. It flows from the positive terminal of battery or
cell to negative terminal. We follow the conventional method of current flow though the
reality is current flows from negative terminal of the cell to the positive.
3. Electric Circuit:
Refer the link: https://youtu.be/nzmoGca5rXc

• It is a closed path along which the electric current flows.

• The electrons can only flow when there is difference of electric potential.
For example “water flowing through a tube”. It is only possible when there is high pressure
at one side and low at another side, then it will move from high pressure to low pressure.
• In case of electric current, the flow of charge is made possible due to chemical action with
in a cell that generates the potential difference across the terminals of the cell.

4. Electric potential Difference: (V)

Refer the link: https://youtu.be/SNlOPxZ-Ev4

It is defined as the work done in carrying a unit charge from one point to another in an
electric circuit.
 V – Potential Difference
W – Work
Q – Net Charge

• SI unit of potential difference is volts, 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 1 V.

5. Circuit Diagram :

• A circuit diagram is a graphical representation of an electric circuit.

Symbols for some commonly used instrument in circuit diagram:

6. Instruments used in an electric circuit with symbols and functions

INSTRUNMENT SYMBOL FUNCTION

Cell
To maintain a
potential difference.
It converts stored
chemical energy into
electrical potential
energy, allowing
current to flow
through an external
circuit
Battery A battery is a
device consisting
of one or more
cells with external
connections for
powering
 electrical devices
such as
flashlights, mobile
phones, and
electric cars.

Key (Switch) A switch or key

helps to make or
break the circuit,
i.e. switches on or
Open switch (Current does not flow in the switches off the
circuit)
current.

Closed switch ( Current flows in the circuit)

A wire is a single,
Wire usually
(Joint wire) cylindrical,
flexible strand of
metal used for
connecting
(Wires not joint)
different devices
in an electric
1. circuit and to
allow the passage
of current.
Bulb The bulb emits
light when electric
current flows
through its
filament. The
filament in the
bulb is heated to
a high
temperature by an
electric current
passing through it
and the bulb
 glows.
Ammeter It is use to measure
the amount of
current flowing
through a circuit. It
is always connected
in series.

Voltmeter It is used for

measuring
electrical potential
difference
between two
points in an
electric circuit. It
is connected in
parallel
Resistor The main function
of resistors in a
circuit is to
control the flow of
current. So a
resistor is used to
limit the current.

Rheostat (Variable resistor) A rheostat is a

variable resistor
which is used to
control current. They
are able to vary the
resistance in a circuit
without interruption.
Answer the following questions based on the above concepts:
1. Define the unit of current.
2. Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge.
[Hint q = ne, where e = 1.6 x10-19 C, find n]
3. Name a device that helps to maintain a potential difference across a conductor.
4. What is meant by saying that the potential difference between two points is 1 V?
5. How much energy is given to each coulomb of charge passing through a 6 V battery?
[Hint: V = Work done/charge = Energy given/charge)
6. A current of 0.5 A is drawn by a filament of an electric bulb for 10 minutes. Find the amount
of electric charge that flows through the circuit.
[Hint: Q = It; Given: I = 0.5 A, t = 10 minutes = 10 x60 = 600 s]
7. How much work is done in moving a charge of 2 C across two points having a potential
difference 12 V?
[Hint: W = V x Q]