4.2.3 – 4.2.

6 : Electrical quantities
 Recap
Current is the rate of flow of
electrons around a circuit.

emf The higher the current, the

faster the electrons are
travelling. The unit of current
is the amp, and in a circuit an
ammeter is used to measure
current.
 Recap
Current is the rate of flow of
electrons around a circuit.

emf The higher the current, the

faster the electrons are
travelling. The unit of current
is the amp, and in a circuit an
ammeter is used to measure
current.

VOLTAGE is the amount of

energy given to electrons as
they travel around the
circuit.
 Recap
Current is the rate of flow of
electrons around a circuit.

emf The higher the current, the

faster the electrons are
travelling. The unit of current
is the amp, and in a circuit an
ammeter is used to measure
current.

VOLTAGE is the amount of

energy given to electrons as
they travel around the
circuit.
Voltage is also known as
POTENTIAL DIFERENCE
(PD)
 Recap
Current is the rate of flow of
electrons around a circuit.

emf The higher the current, the

faster the electrons are
travelling. The unit of current
is the amp, and in a circuit an
ammeter is used to measure
current.

VOLTAGE is the amount of Unit of voltage or PD is

energy given to electrons as the volt.
they travel around the Supplement
circuit.
1 volt = 1 joule of
Voltage is also known as potential energy is given
POTENTIAL DIFERENCE to each coulomb of
charge
(PD) (1V = 1 J/C)
 VOLTAGE is the amount of
energy given to electrons as
they travel around the
circuit.

emf Voltage is also known as

POTENTIAL DIFERENCE
(PD)

The cell produces its highest

potential difference when not
connected in a circuit. This
maximum PD is known as the
electromotive force (EMF) of
the cell.

The battery cell gives electrons

potential energy. This energy is
then passed on to the
components in the cell
 VOLTAGE is the amount of
energy given to electrons as
they travel around the
circuit.

emf Voltage is also known as

POTENTIAL DIFERENCE
(PD)

The cell produces its highest

potential difference when not
connected in a circuit. This
maximum PD is known as the
electromotive force (EMF) of
the cell.

The battery cell gives electrons As soon as the cell is connected in a

potential energy. This energy is circuit the potential difference
then passed on to the drops because of energy wastage
components in the cell inside the cell.
 VOLTAGE is the amount of
Just a reminder ………… energy given to electrons as
they travel around the
A single cell circuit.
A battery, made up of
Voltage is also known as
several cells.
POTENTIAL DIFERENCE
A battery is a series of joined cells, although (PD)
it is commonly used for a single cell as well.
The cell produces its highest
potential difference when not
connected in a circuit. This
maximum PD is known as the
electromotive force (EMF) of
the cell.

The battery cell gives electrons As soon as the cell is connected in a

potential energy. This energy is circuit the potential difference
then passed on to the drops because of energy wastage
components in the cell inside the cell.
 Voltage is
Measuring voltage (PD) in a circuit. measured
using a
VOLTMETER

To measure the voltage across

a component in a circuit the
voltmeter must be placed in
parallel with it.
 Voltage is
Measuring voltage (PD) in a circuit. measured
using a
VOLTMETER

To measure the voltage across

a component in a circuit the
voltmeter must be placed in
parallel with it.
 Voltage is
Measuring voltage (PD) in a circuit. measured
using a
VOLTMETER
Series and parallel circuits

In a series circuit the total

voltage (PD) of the supply is
shared between the various
components, so the voltages
around a series circuit always
add up to equal the source
voltage.
 Voltage is
Measuring voltage (PD) in a circuit. measured
using a
VOLTMETER
Series and parallel circuits

In a parallel
circuit all
components get
In a series circuit the total the full source
voltage (PD) of the supply is voltage, so the
shared between the various voltage is the
components, so the voltages same across all
around a series circuit always components
add up to equal the source
voltage.
 Whenever a current flows
around an electrical circuit
there is resistance to the
electrons.

Copper connecting Nichrome is not

wire is a good such a good
conductor, it conductor, it has
offers little a bigger
resistance to the resistance to the
electrons, and a electrons, and
current passes less current will
through it easily. flow.
 Whenever a current flows
around an electrical circuit
there is resistance to the
electrons.

Resistance is calculated using this

equation:

Copper connecting Nichrome is not resistance = voltage R = V

wire is a good such a good current I
conductor, it conductor, it has
offers little a bigger The unit of resistance is the ohm
Ω (Greek letter omega)
resistance to the resistance to the
electrons, and a electrons, and
current passes less current will
through it easily. flow.
 Whenever a current flows
around an electrical circuit
there is resistance to the
electrons.

Resistance is calculated using this

equation:

Copper connecting Nichrome is not resistance = voltage R = V

wire is a good such a good current I
conductor, it conductor, it has
offers little a bigger The unit of resistance is the ohm
Ω (Greek letter omega)
resistance to the resistance to the
electrons, and a electrons, and eg. If a PD of 8V is needed to make a
current passes less current will current of 4A flow through a wire.
through it easily. flow.
Resistance = 8 / 4 = 2Ω
Remember, remember ……….. The equation
linking V, I and R

V = I x R

V I = V / R

I R R = V / I
 Lengt
h of
Factors wire
affecting
resistance.

Factors
affecting Cross
Temperatur
sectiona
e
resistanc l area
e

Materia
l
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

For metal conductors, resistance

increases with temperature. For
semi-conductors, it decreases
with temperature.

When a current flows through a wire,

resistance causes a heating effect.
This principle is used in heating
elements and in filament light bulbs.
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Electrons collide with

atoms as they pass
through conductors,
losing energy. The atoms
For metal conductors, resistance vibrate more, causing a
increases with temperature. For heating effect

semi-conductors, it decreases
with temperature.

When a current flows through a wire,

resistance causes a heating effect.
This principle is used in heating
elements and in filament light bulbs.
 Temperature

Lengt Factors
Factors h of affecting Cross
sectional
resistanc
affecting wire
e
area

resistance.

Materia
l

Wires A and B have the same cross-

A sectional area and are at the same
temperature. Wire B is twice as
B long as wire A, and has twice the
resistance.
 Temperature

Lengt Factors
Factors h of affecting Cross
sectional
resistanc
affecting wire
e
area

resistance.

Materia
l

Wires A and B have the same cross-

A sectional area and are at the same
temperature. Wire B is twice as
B long as wire A, and has twice the
resistance.

Resistance length
Resistance is directly proportional to length
 Temperature

Factors
Factors Cross
sectional affecting Lengt
h of
area resistanc
affecting e
wire
resistance.

Materia
l

Wires A and B have the same length

A and are at the same temperature.
Wire B is twice the cross-sectional
area of A, and has half the
B resistance.
 Temperature

Factors
Factors Cross
sectional affecting Lengt
h of
area resistanc
affecting e
wire
resistance.

Materia
l

Wires A and B have the same length

A and are at the same temperature.
Wire B is twice the cross-sectional
area of A, and has half the
B resistance.

Resistance 1 (area = cross-sectional area)

area
 Temperature

Factors
Factors Materia affecting Lengt
h of
l resistanc
affecting e
wire
resistance.
Cross
sectional
area

Some wires have much more

resistance for a given length. For
example a 10cm length of nichrome
has a much higher resistance than
copper of the same length and
cross-sectional area. Nichrome is
said to have a higher resistivity.
 Temperature

Factors
Factors Materia affecting Lengt
h of
l resistanc
affecting e
wire
resistance.
Cross
sectional
area

Some wires have much more Typical resistivity (Ω/m)

resistance for a given length. For Constantan 49 x 10-8
example a 10cm length of nichrome
Manganin 44 x 10-8
has a much higher resistance than
copper of the same length and Nichrome 100 x 10-8
cross-sectional area. Nichrome is Tungsten 55 x 10-8
said to have a higher resistivity.
The Greek letter rho (ρ) is the
resistivity constant for any given
material)
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Combining the resistance equations

 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Combining the resistance equations

Resistance length
area
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Combining the resistance equations

R = ρ x l
A

Resistance length
area
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Combining the resistance equations

R = ρ x l
A

Resistance length ρ = R x A
area l
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Combining the resistance equations

R = ρ x l
Comparing different wires, A and B, made from the
A
same material (so ρ is the same for each wire)
at the same temperature.

ρ = R x A
l
 Lengt
h of
wire

Factors
Factors Temperature
affecting Cross
sectional
affecting resistanc area
e
resistance.

Materia
l

Combining the resistance equations

R = ρ x l
Comparing different wires, A and B, made from the
A
same material (so ρ is the same for each wire)
at the same temperature.

ρ = R x A
ResistanceA x AreaA = ResistanceB x AreaB
l
LengthA LengthB
More about resistors
1 kilohm (kΩ) = 1000 Ω
Resistor 1 megohm (MΩ) = 1 000 000 Ω
More about resistors
1 kilohm (kΩ) = 1000 Ω
Resistor 1 megohm (MΩ) = 1 000 000 Ω

Used for varying current, for

Variable
example in light dimmer
resistor switches
More about resistors
1 kilohm (kΩ) = 1000 Ω
Resistor 1 megohm (MΩ) = 1 000 000 Ω

Used for varying current, for

Variable
example in light dimmer
resistor switches
High resistance when cold, but
Thermistor much lower resistance when
hot. Eg. Digital thermometer
More about resistors
1 kilohm (kΩ) = 1000 Ω
Resistor 1 megohm (MΩ) = 1 000 000 Ω

Used for varying current, for

Variable
example in light dimmer
resistor switches
High resistance when cold, but
Thermistor much lower resistance when
hot. Eg. Digital thermometer
High resistance in the dark but
Light dependent
a low resistance in the light. Eg.
resistor (LDR)
Controlling light switches
More about resistors
1 kilohm (kΩ) = 1000 Ω
Resistor 1 megohm (MΩ) = 1 000 000 Ω

Used for varying current, for

Variable
example in light dimmer
resistor switches
High resistance when cold, but
Thermistor much lower resistance when
hot. Eg. Digital thermometer
High resistance in the dark but
Light dependent
a low resistance in the light. Eg.
resistor (LDR)
Controlling light switches
Extremely high resistance in
Diode one direction, but low in the
other. Controls flow of current
Ohm’s Law
A 19th Century scientist
who first investigated
the electrical
properties of wires, and
the relationship
between V, I and R

I (the symbol for current) = “intensite du courant”

 How current
Ohm’s Law varies with voltage
(PD) for a metal
conductor.
Circuit diagram:
battery

Variable
Ammeter
resistor

A
Voltmeter

Water bath
to keep
Nichrome
nichrome at
wire
constant
temperature
 How current
Ohm’s Law varies with voltage
(PD) for a metal
conductor.
Circuit diagram:
battery

V I R = V/I
2.0V 0.4A 5.0Ω
Variable 4.0 0.8 5.0
Ammeter
resistor
6.0 1.2 5.0
A
Voltmeter
8.0 1.6 5.0

V 10.0 2.0 5.0

Water bath
to keep
Nichrome
nichrome at
wire
constant
temperature
 How current
Ohm’s Law varies with voltage
(PD) for a metal
conductor.
Circuit diagram:
battery

V I R = V/I
2.0V 0.4A 5.0Ω
Variable 4.0 0.8 5.0
Ammeter
resistor
6.0 1.2 5.0
A
Voltmeter
8.0 1.6 5.0

V 10.0 2.0 5.0

2.0

Current
Water bath
(A)
to keep
Nichrome
nichrome at
wire
constant
temperature 0 10.0
Voltage (V)
Ohm’s Law

1. A graph of current against

voltage is a straight line
through the origin.
2. If the voltage doubles then
the current doubles, etc
3. In this experiment, V/I
always has the same value.
Ohm’s Law

1. A graph of current against

voltage is a straight line
through the origin.
2. If the voltage doubles then
the current doubles, etc
3. In this experiment, V/I
always has the same value.
Current is proportional to the voltage.

Current Voltage
Ohm’s Law
Provided temperature is
constant

1. A graph of current against

voltage is a straight line
through the origin.
2. If the voltage doubles then
the current doubles, etc
3. In this experiment, V/I
always has the same value.
Current is proportional to the voltage.

Current Voltage
temperature changes?
So what happens if

For a tungsten
filament lamp,
as the current
increases, the
temperature
rises and the
resistance
increases.
Current is not
directly
proportional to
the voltage.
temperature changes?
So what happens if

And for the diode …….

For a tungsten
filament lamp,
as the current Current is not
increases, the proportional to the
temperature voltage. If the voltage
rises and the is reversed, the
resistance resistance increases
increases. greatly, so effectively
Current is not making sure that
directly current only flows in
proportional to one direction in the
the voltage. circuit.
 • Understand that electric
circuits transfer energy
And finally … from the battery or power
source to the circuit
components then into the
surroundings
 • Understand that electric
circuits transfer energy
And finally … from the battery or power
source to the circuit
components then into the
surroundings

Chemical energy is
transformed into potential
energy in the electrons, and
in the bulb this is changed
into thermal (heat) energy.
 • Understand that electric
circuits transfer energy
And finally … from the battery or power
source to the circuit
components then into the
surroundings

Chemical energy is
transformed into potential
energy in the electrons, and
in the bulb this is changed
into thermal (heat) energy.

The rate at which energy is

transformed is known as
POWER. The unit of power
is the watt (W).
 • Understand that electric
circuits transfer energy
And finally … from the battery or power
source to the circuit
components then into the
surroundings

Chemical energy is
transformed into potential P = I x V
energy in the electrons, and
in the bulb this is changed
into thermal (heat) energy.
P V = P/I
The rate at which energy is
I = P/V
transformed is known as
POWER. The unit of power
is the watt (W).
I V
1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts
 • Understand that electric
circuits transfer energy
And finally … from the battery or power
source to the circuit
components then into the
surroundings

2200W (2.2kW)

450W
11W

80W
 Supplement
And finally …

Recall and use

the equations P
= IV and E = IVt
 Supplement
And finally …
Power = energy transformed
time taken

Recall and use

the equations P
= IV and E = IVt
 Supplement
And finally …
Power = energy transformed
time taken

Recall and use

the equations P
= IV and E = IVt
P = E
t
 Supplement
And finally …
Power = energy transformed
time taken

Recall and use

the equations P
= IV and E = IVt
P = E
t

E =P x t
 Supplement
And finally …
Power = energy transformed
time taken

Recall and use

the equations P
= IV and E = IVt
P = E
t

E =IxV x t E =P x t
 Supplement
And finally …
Power = energy transformed
time taken

Recall and use

the equations P
= IV and E = IVt
P = E
t

E =IxV x t E =P x t

Joules per second