Module 1

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICITY
Electricity
• Electricity is a form of energy generated by
friction, induction or chemical change, having
magnetic, chemical and radiant effect. In short,
Electricity is electrons in motion.
• Electricity is one of the most useful discovery
of man which paved the way to the numerous
inventions from the simple tools to the most
sophisticated gadgets making what originally
seemed to be impossible become a reality.
• Electricity is not new. It has been here
with us ever since and its existence is
as old as the universe which was
discovered accidentally, by the ancient
Greeks sometime in 600B.C.
Father of electricity was accredited to
William Gilbert, an English Physicist
after publishing his studies on the
“Electric Attraction” and the “The
Electric Force”.
Electricity is a property of the basic
particles of matter which like an
atom, consist of:
a. electron
b. proton
c. neutron
1. Electron- is the negatively charge
particle of an atom sometimes referred to
as negative charge of electricity.
2. Proton – is the positively charged
particle of an atom which sometimes
referred to as the positive charge of
electricity.
3. Neutron – is that particle of an atom
which is not electrically charged and
weighs slightly more than the proton.
Theory:
1. That, all matters are made up of molecules.
2. That, molecules are made up of atom.
3. That, atom contains neutrons, electrons and
protons.
4. That, neutron is neutral. It is either positive or
negatively charged.
5. That, the electron of an atom of any substance
could be transformed into another atom.
Definition of Terms
• ION – is the term applied to an atom or
molecule which is not electrically balanced. It
is an atom or molecule that is electrically
charged. It simply mean there is loss or gain of
one or more electrons.
• Voltage – is the electrical pressure that causes
the electrons to move through a conductor
(wire). In other words, the voltage is the
electromotive force (emf).
• Volt- was named after Alessandro Volta, an
Italian scientist who discovered that electrons
flow when two different metals are connected
by a wire and then dipped into a liquid that
conduct or carry electrons.
- the basic standard unit of voltage.
• Ampere- is the standard unit used in
measuring the strength of an electric current,
named after Andrei Marie Ampere.
- it is the amount of current flow, sent by one
volt through the resistance of one ohm.
• Watt – the rate or measure of power used or
consumed. It represents the equivalent heat volts
and ampere consumed by lights, appliances or
motors.
- the term is named after James Watt, a Scottish
inventor.
• Circuit – refers to the wire installations that supply
current to light and convenience outlets.
• Resistance – is the friction or opposition to the
flow of current. The basic standard unit is Ohm
named after George Simoun Ohm.
Factors that Influences Conductor Resistance

1. Composition of the Conductor. This refers to a

conductor having free electrons that has low
resistance.
2. Length of Wire. The longer the wire, the higher is
the resistance.
3. Cross Sectional Area of Wire. The bigger the cross
sectional area of wire, the lower its resistance.
4. Temperature. Metal offers high resistance to high
temperature (heat).
Electric Current
• Is the flow or rate of flow of electric force in a
conductor.
• A current will only flow if a circuit is formed
comprising a complete loop and contains all the
following required components.
1. Source of Voltage
2. A closed loop of wiring
3. An electric load
4. A means of opening and closing the circuit.
Electric Current is Classified as:
• Direct Current (DC) • Alternating Current (AC)
- the DC electricity, - AC electricity
flows in one direction. constantly reverses its
- the flow is said to be direction of flow.
from negative to - this type of current is
positive. universally accepted
- the normal source of a because of its unlimited
DC electricity is the dry number of applications.
cell or storage battery.
Advantages of AC over DC
1. It is easily produced.
2. It is cheaper to maintain.
3. It could be transformed into higher voltage.
4. It could be distributed to far distances with
low voltage drop.
5. It is more efficient compared with the Direct
Current.
Answer the following questions.
1. We know that voltage and current are the two
factors that comprises the electricity aside from
resistance, the question is what do you think is most
fatal/dangerous, the current or the voltage? Why?
2. Pick two (2) factors that influences conductor
resistance and explain it in your own words.
3. Based from the definition of Direct Current, there is
only one flow of electricity and that is from negative
to positive. Explain why?