ELECTRICITY

INTEGRATED SCIENCE
 What is an Electric Current?
• An electric current is a flow of charge (negatively
charged electrons).
• It is measured in amperes (A).
• Materials which allow the free flow of electrons are
good conductors.
• Materials which do NOT allow the free flow of
electrons are poor conductors or insulators.
• Semi-conductors are substances which have
conducting properties in between conductors and
insulators.
 Examples and Uses
• Conductors – all metals, graphite, electrolytes (eg. salt solution)
- usage: transmission of current from a source to a device
(electrical wires, cables)

• Insulators - rubber, paper, plastic, wood, ceramic

- usage: covering for power cables and electrical wires, protective
gear for electricians, wall socket covers, switches

• Semi-conductors – silicon, germanium

- usage: manufacture of electronic devices, communications,
computing
Some Common Circuit Symbols

**Go to page 276 in

your text for some
additional symbols.
 Electrical Quantities, Units, Symbols
PHYSICAL QUANTITY UNIT
Name Symbol Name Symbol
1. current I ampere A
2. charge Q Coulomb C
3. potential difference V volt V
4. power P watt W
5. energy E or W joule J
6. resistance R ohm Ω
 What is a Circuit?
• An electrical circuit is a path or line through
which an electrical current flows.
• Conditions for current flow:
- source of potential difference (also called
e.m.f or voltage)
- complete conducting path for current to flow
 Types of Circuits
• Closed circuit: any continuous path around
which an electric current flows
• Open circuit: one in which there is a break in
conduction path

Switch
“ON”

CLOSED CIRCUIT
 Types of Circuits
• Series Circuit: There is only one pathway
through which current can travel. (1-2-3-4-1.
See diagram below.)
• Parallel Circuit: There is more than one
pathway through which current can flow.(1-2-
7-8-1 or 1-2-3-6-7-8-1. See diagram below.)
 Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits

• Series Circuits – the voltage across each

branch is the same as the voltage of the
battery. Current, however, varies at different
parts of the circuits.

• Parallel Circuit – The current at any part of the

circuit remains constant. However, the voltage
differs across each component.
Resistors
Resistance / Calculating Resistance
V = I X R (voltage = current x resistance)
Ohm’s Law
 Power
• Power: rate of doing work
• Calculating Power
Power = Current x Voltage
P=IxV

Power is measured in watts.

In terms of units:
Watts = volts x amps
 Domestic Electricity
• Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create
heat which is in turn used to generate steam to drive
turbines which generate electricity.
• Energy transformations involved:
Chemical -> heat -> mechanical -> electrical
 Reading an Analogue Meter
• Analogue meter: one type of meter used to obtain
units of electricity consumed.
• Note: there are 5 dials, each numbered from 0-9.
• Note, as well, that the dials are numbered clockwise
in the first, and alternate between anticlockwise and
clockwise thereafter.
• Note: The reading on each dial is taken as the digit
that the pointer has just PASSED.
Digital vs Analogue Meters

Note: With the analogue meter, the

digit taken is the one that has just been
PASSED by the pointer.
 Calculating Electricity Bill
• 1 unit of electricity = 1kWh (kilowatt hour)
• No. of units is calculated by:
multiplying the wattage of the electrical device
(kilowatts) x length of time of usage (hours)

• Cost of using device = No. of units x cost per

unit
 Safety Devices for Electricity Use
These are used in circuits to prevent electrical fires /
damage to circuits or parts of circuits.
Examples:
• Fuses – note that the size (in amps) of the fuse is
chosen to be slightly above what the device will
allow without damage to the circuit.
• Other circuit breakers
• Thermostats
• Surge protectors
 Energy Conservation
Production of electricity, using fossil fuels,
results in negative effects on the environment.

Its usage, therefore, must be controlled.

Some ways of conserving electricity are:

- Not leaving lights on unnecessarily
- Reducing use of air conditioners
- Adjusting freezers / no lengthy opening of refrigerators
- Maximizing use of ovens, washing machines
- Choosing the most energy-efficient type of lighting