Electrical charge, current, power

and resistance (4.1 & 2)

A-Level Physics

1. Development of 4.1 Charge and Current and charge

practical skills in current
physics Mean drift velocity
4.2 Energy, power
2. Foundations of and resistance
Physics 4.3. Electrical
3. Forces and circuits
motion 4.4. Waves
4. Electrons, waves 4.5 Quantum
and photons physics
5. Newtonian world
and astrophysics
6. Particles and
medical physics
 Charge and current

Understand what electric charge is and

how this is measured

Calculate total charge from electrons

Explain what current is and how this is

calculated
Learning Outcome: Understand what electric charge is and how this is
measured

Elementary charges, e

-1.6 x 10-19 C
1.6 x 10-19 C
Learning Outcome: Understand what electric charge is and how this is
measured

Millikan’s experiment
Learning Outcome: Calculate total charge from electrons

A surface has been charged by losing 4.7 x 1021

electrons, what would the total charge on the
surface be?

What would be the general equation for calculating

the total charge?
Learning Outcome: Calculate total charge from electrons

Q = ne (Q=charge, n=number of electrons, e =

charge on one electron)

How many electrons would be required to give a

charge of…

A) - 600 C

B) -30 kC

C) 23 mC
Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

What is electricity and current?

Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

Electricity is the flow of charged particles

Current is the rate of flow of charge
The size of the current is given by the amount of charge flowing
past a point each second

What is the equation for Charge and current?

What are the units?

Q = It Q = Charge – Measured in Coulombs

I = Current – Measured in Amperes
t = time - Measured in seconds

How would you define 1 Ampere?

Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

Electric current in metals

Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

Electric current in metals

Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

What way will the current flow in the below

circuit?

+ -

Electron flow

Conventional current
 Brain neurones
Electric current in metals versus electrolysis
Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated
Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

Electricity is the flow of charged particles

Current is the rate of flow of charge
The size of the current is given by the amount of charge flowing
past a point each second

What is the equation for Charge and current?

What are the units?

Q = It Q = Charge – Measured in Coulombs

I = Current – Measured in Amperes
t = time - Measured in seconds

How would you define 1 Ampere?

Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

2. The current in the

lightning strike is 7800A.
The strike lasts for a time
of 230ms.
Calculate
a) - The charge flowing
between the cloud and
the ground (3)
b) - The number of
electrons transferred to
the ground (2)
Total [5]
Learning Outcome: Explain what current is and how this is calculated

2 a) Q = ? I = 7800A t= 230ms
Q=It
=7800 x 0.23
=1794C ~1.8kC
b) ne = ? Qt = 1.8kC, Q/e= 1.6 x 10-19C
ne = Q t / e
1800 / 1.6 x 10-19
= 1.1x1022 electrons
 Mean drift velocity

Explain the difference between

conductors and insulators

Explain what is meant by mean drift

velocity

Derive and apply a new equation for

current using mean drift velocity
Learning Outcome: Explain the difference between conductors and insulators

Conductors versus insulators

How conductive a material is is based on the number

of free charge carriers per unit volume (the number
density)
Learning Outcome: Explain what is meant by the mean drift velocity

Mean drift velocity

Path of conduction electron

when there is no current

Path of conduction electron

when there is a current

This means that current is dependent on:

- the speed at which charged particles are moving.
- the charge they are carrying.
- the number of charged particles that are moving.
Charged particles do not travel in a straight line through a conductor, because
they collide with other particles in the material. We therefore use the average
speed the particle travels at along the conductor. This is called the mean
drift velocity.
Learning Outcome: Derive and apply an equation for mean drift velocity

L= Length of conductor
A= Cross-sectional area of
wire
e= charge on electron
vd = mean drift velocity

Given that I = Q/t, show that for a wire the current passing through the
wire can be calculated using:

I= neAvd
Learning Outcome: Derive and apply an equation for mean drift velocity

L
L

neAL

L
Learning Outcome: Derive and apply an equation for mean drift velocity

Mean Drift velocity

A current of 0.75 A is carried in a copper wire of
cross-sectional area 4.0 x 10–7 m2.
The drift velocity of free electrons in the wire is 1.4 x
10–4 m s–1.

(i) Calculate n, the number of free electrons per unit

volume in copper.

(ii) Calculate the new drift velocity when:

1 The current is changed to 0.25 A in the same wire

2 A current of 0.75 A is carried in a copper wire of

Learning Outcome: Derive and apply an equation for mean drift velocity

Mean Drift velocity

A current of 0.75 A is carried in a copper wire of cross-
sectional area 4.0 x 10–7 m2.
The drift velocity of free electrons in the wire is 1.4 x 10–4 m s–1.

(i) Calculate n, the number of free electrons per unit volume in

copper.
n = I/Aev
= 0.75 / (4.0 x 10-7 x 1.6 x 10-19 x 1.4 x 10-4) = 8.4 x 1028
(ii) Calculate the new drift velocity when
1 The current is changed to 0.25 A in the same wire
drift velocity = 4.7 x 10-5 m s–1

2 A current of 0.75 A is carried in a copper wire of twice the

diameter.
drift velocity = 3.5 x 10-5 m s–1
A-Level Physics

1. Development of 4.1 Charge and EMF and PD

practical skills in current
physics Resistance
4.2 Energy and
2. Foundations of resistance I-V characteristics
Physics 4.3. Electrical Resistivity
3. Forces and circuits
motion LDRs and thermistors
4.4. Waves
4. Electrons, waves 4.5 Quantum
and photons physics
5. Newtonian world
and astrophysics
6. Particles and
medical physics
 Potential difference and
electromotive force
Define potential difference and
electromotive force

Measure potential difference and

electromotive force in circuits

Explain how current and potential

difference are linked by resistance
Learning Outcome: Define pd and emf

Measure of the amount

Energy, of energy that charges
(electrons) in the
J
Charge, circuit have, measured
C in volts (v)
Voltage,
v
Voltage
Electromotive Potential
Force difference
Energy given to a circuit per
Energy taken from a circuit
charge (electron) from
per charge (electron) over
electricity supply (power
components e.g. bulbs
pack/battery)
Learning Outcome: Define pd and emf

Electromotive Force
The electromotive force (e.m.f) is the force that pushes the
charge around the circuit (from the battery or power pack).

Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is the energy transferred

per unit charge when a source of potential is transferred
into electrical energy.

Energy,
J

Voltage, Charge,
1 V = 1 J C-1 v C
Learning Outcome: Define pd and emf

Potential Difference
The energy transferred as e.m.f. to the circuit is used by
the various components.

Potential difference (p.d.) is the electrical energy

transferred (over a component) per unit charge when
electrical energy is transferred to another type of energy.

Like e.m.f. the p.d. is also measured in volts, which is a

measure of how much energy is taken from the circuit per
unit of charge

Energy,
Like e.m.f. J

Voltage, Charge,
1 V = 1 J C-1 v C
Learning Outcome: Measure pd and emf in circuits

Electromotive force versus

potential difference
An electromotive force is
provided by the battery which
gives each charge electrical
energy

At the bulb the electrical

energy is transferred into
light (and heat). The amount
of energy transferred is the
potential difference

Energy in = Energy out

Total electromotive force = Total potential difference
Learning Outcome: Measure potential difference in circuits

Electromotive force versus

potential difference
1. 2.
e.m.f

V1
V1 e.m.f
p.d. p.d
V2 V3
V2

Energy in = Energy out

Total electromotive force = Total potential difference
Learning Outcome: Calculate the pd and emf for circuits

Electromotive Force
An electric Kettle requires a supply of
300000J in 120s. The e.m.f. of the supply
was 230V. Calculate:
a) The Charge supplied b) Current
𝐸
300000
𝑄= = =1304 𝐶
𝑉 𝑒. 𝑚 . 𝑓 . 230
𝑄 1304
𝐼= = =10.9 A
𝑡 120
Learning Outcome: Calculate the pd and emf for circuits

1. V=W/Q
=1200 x 1500 /7500C
=240V(3)
2. A lamp uses 36 Joules every second and draws a constant
current of 3.0A over a period of 600s from a battery. Calculate:
i) The total amount of energy transferred to the lamp
36J x 600s = 21600 J
ii) The charge passing through the lamp in one second
ΔQ = IΔt = 3.0Ax1s = 3C
iii) The total charge passing through the lamp
ΔQ = IΔt = 3.0A x 600s = 1800C
iv) The total number of electrons passing through the lamp
= 1800C / 1.6 x 10-19 =1.1x 1022
v) The potential difference across the lamp.
V = W/Q = 36J / 3C = 12V
A-Level Physics

1. Development of 4.1 Charge and EMF and PD

practical skills in current Resistance
physics 4.2 Energy and I-V characteristics
2. Foundations of resistance
Resistivity
Physics 4.3. Electrical
LDRs and thermistors
3. Forces and circuits
motion 4.4. Waves
4. Electrons, 4.5 Quantum
waves and photons physics
5. Newtonian world
and astrophysics
6. Particles and
medical physics
 Resistance

Describe what is meant by resistance

and describe Ohm’s law

Develop an experiment to prove Ohm’s

law

Calculate current/voltage/resistance
Learning Outcome: Describe what is meant by resistance and describe Ohm’s law

What is “resistance”?

Resistance is anything that slows down the

flow of charge (current)

In metals this is caused by the positive ions

Learning Outcome: Describe what is meant by resistance and describe Ohm’s law

Ohm’slaw
Ohm’s law

Resistance (R) = Potential difference (V) ÷ Current (I)

Ohms (Ω) Volts (V) Amps (A)

The current through a conductor

is proportional to the potential
difference across it, provided
physical conditions, such as
temperature remain constant.

Resistance is constant for a particular circuit, you can not

alter R by changing V or I!
Learning Outcome: Describe what is meant by resistance and describe Ohm’s law

Ohm’slaw
Ohm’s law

Calculate the missing values

V (V) I (A) R (Ω)

5V 10
10 kV 0.1 A
350 mA 3.6
7 mV 7320
57 kV 0.003 A
Learning Outcome: Describe what is meant by resistance and describe Ohm’s law

Ohm’slaw
Ohm’s law

Calculate the missing values

V (V) I (A) R (Ω)

5V 0.5 A 10
10 kV 0.1 A
350 mA 3.6
7 mV 7320
57 kV 0.003 A
Learning Outcome: Develop an experiment to prove Ohm’s law

I-V
Characteristic
of an Ohmic
component

1 Ω = 1 V A-1
Learning Outcome: Calculate current/voltage/resistance

Ohm’s Law
The graph of
current against
p.d. shows the I-
V characteristics
for 4
components.

Which behave
according to Ohm’s
Law?
A-Level Physics

1. Development of 4.1 Charge and EMF and PD

practical skills in current Resistance
physics 4.2 Energy and I-V characteristics
2. Foundations of resistance
4.2.5. Resistivity
Physics 4.3. Electrical 4.2.6. LDRs and
3. Forces and circuits thermistors
motion 4.4. Waves
4. Electrons, 4.5 Quantum
waves and photons physics
5. Newtonian world
and astrophysics
6. Particles and
medical physics
 I-V characteristics

Deduce the I-V characteristics of a

filament bulb

Deduce the I-V characteristics of a

diode

Explain the I-V characteristics

observed
Threshold
voltage
A-Level Physics

1. Development of 4.1 Charge and EMF and PD

practical skills in current Resistance
physics 4.2 Energy and I-V characteristics
2. Foundations of resistance
Resistivity
Physics 4.3. Electrical
LDRs and thermistors
3. Forces and circuits
motion 4.4. Waves
4. Electrons, 4.5 Quantum
waves and photons physics
5. Newtonian world
and astrophysics
6. Particles and
medical physics
 Resistivity

Define resistivity

Plan a practical to determine the

resistivity of a piece of wire

Investigate the resistivity of a wire

Learning Outcome: Define resistivity

Resistivity
Resistance is directly proportional to length
and inversely proportional to cross-sectional
area

How could you express this as an equation?

R α L/A R = ρL/A

Resistivity = ρ Length = l
Resistance = R Cross-sectional Area = A
Learning Outcome: Define resistivity

Resistivity
Resistance is directly proportional to length
and inversely proportional to cross-
sectional area

R α L/A R = ρL/A

Resistivity describes the properties of a

material.
Learning Outcome: Define resistivity

Resistivity
A standard resistor of resistance 5 Ω is to be constructed
using a length of constantan wire with a diameter of 5.367
x 10-4m

The material Constantan is used because as its name implies

its resistivity is constant over a wide range of
temperatures. Calculate the length of Constantan required
given its
ρ = 47 x 10-8 Ωm.

A = πr2 = π(5.367 x 10-4)2 = 2.262 x 10-7 m2

L = RA/ρ = 5 x 2.2262 x 10-7/47 x 10-8 = 2.407 m
Learning Outcome: Plan a practical to determine the resistivity of a piece of wire

Using the below equipment how could you measure the

resistivity of a wire?

• switch, S
• 1 m length of resistance wire
• micrometer or Vernier caliper
• 2 crocodile clips
• 7 connecting leads
• 1 d.c. power supply
• voltmeter
• Ammeter
Learning Outcome: Investigate the resistivity of a wire

Calculating resistivity

R = ρL/A V

V/I=ρL/A

V/L = I ρ/A

Gradient = I ρ/A
L
Learning Outcome: Investigate the resistivity of a wire

Calculating uncertainty in your results

V x

x
x

x
x

% uncertainty = Uncertainty in gradient x 100

Absolute gradient
A-Level Physics

1. Development of 4.1 Charge and current EMF and PD

practical skills in physics
Resistance
4.2 Energy and
2. Foundations of Physics resistance
I-V characteristics
4.3. Electrical circuits
3. Forces and motion Resistivity

4.4. Waves
4. Electrons, waves and LDRs and thermistors
4.5 Quantum physics
photons
5. Newtonian world and
astrophysics
6. Particles and medical
physics
 Thermistors

Describe what a thermistor is

Determine the I-V characteristics of a

thermistor

Explain the I-V characteristics of a

thermistor
Learning Outcome: Describe what a thermistor is

Thermistor

A thermistor is a
particular type of
resistor whose
resistance is dependant
on temperature
Learning Outcome: Explain the I-V characteristics of a thermistor

Thermistors show a negative temperature coefficient

(NTC)- as temperature increases, resistance decreases
As temperature increases
the number of free
electrons increases
increasing the electron
number density (n).

A higher n means lower

resistance as current (I)
increases
Learning Outcome: Explain the I-V characteristics of a thermistor

Increased voltage
= increased temperature
= increased current

“Non ohmic”- does not

follow ohm’s law
 Light dependent resistors

Describe what an LDR is

Determine the I-V characteristics of a

light dependant resistor

Explain the I-V characteristics of a

light dependent resistor
Learning Outcome: Describe what an LDR is

Light dependent resistors

A light dependent
resistor is a particular
type of resistor whose
resistance is dependent
on light intensity
Learning Outcome: Explain the I-V characteristics of an LDR

As light intensity increases resistance decreases

The increased light
intensity releases more
free electrons

Increasing the electron

density and current

Thus reducing resistance

Both thermistors and LDRs are semiconductors
Learning Outcome: Explain the I-V characteristics of an LDR

What would an I-V graph for an LDR look like

Hint: Draw different lines to represent different light
intensities