CHANGING CURRENT

 Current passing through a wire in a circuit could change based on certain factors. The amount could be
either be big or small
These factors are :
 How thick or thin the wire is – thin wire would provide more resistance to check the flow of current as it
constricts it movement thus controlling the flow
 The length of the wire – longer wire would equally provide greater resistance to regulate the flow of
current as it will take it more time to reach the end user thus lessening the amount.
 The diameter of the wire – greater diameter would provide less resistance for the flow of current as it
would allow for more freedom. Reducing the diameter could however control the flow of current in the
circuit.
NOTE: All components in a circuit provide a degree of resistance to the flow of current that passes through
them but RESISTOR is the component/device that is mainly placed in a circuit to check the abnormal flow
of current in it.
 Current changes in quantity if the potential difference/voltage/e.m.f changes. To increase current the
p.d must be increased. They are directly proportional.
 In actual fact, resistance of a wire is proportional to its length - the longer its length the more its
resistance and vice – versa
 The resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to its cross – sectional area – the bigger the area, the
smaller the resistance and vice – versa.
 MEASURING RESISTANCE
• The quantity of resistance in a circuit could be determined by simply making a circuit at the lab with
all the requisite components i.e copper wire, switch, lamp/bulb but the cell can not be used due to
the fact that its p.d can’t be altered for multiple readings since we need a number of readings for
experimental purposes to be able to minimize errors. Power supply is used instead.
• it must be noted however, that the voltmeter must be connected across(parallel) the resistor in the
circuit whereas the ammeter is connected in series since the current flows through it.
• Values of p. d are recorded while those of current are also taken. R = V/I is thus used to calculate the
resistance at every change of p. d and current.
• A graph of CURRENT – VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS could be represented for a resistor with p. d (V)
on the x – axis while current I is represented on the y – axis.
• If the plotted graph gives a straight line, the resistor is referred to as OHMIC RESISTOR because it
confirms ohm’s law.
• When the graph shows a curve at its tale end, it is not ohmic due to the simple reason that the
current – voltage direct proportionality changed at some point. This occurs when a filament lamp is
used. Heat generated in the filament causes a rise in the amount of resistance thereby changing the
current – voltage proportionality in the circuits.
 ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY
• Energy is transferred from one point to another when current flows in the form of electrical energy
converting to light energy to be used in our homes and other places.

• MAINS ELECTRICITY is the electricity generated from the power station. It is the current that flows
from the power station to our homes and is termed ALTERNATING CURRENT (a.c)because it changes
its direction and size as it travels. It is defined as the type of current that is constantly changing its
magnitude and direction.

• Voltages from the power station ranges from 110 V – 230 V depending on the country of residence.
This is in larger quantities because considerably larger quantities of current is needed to use in our
homes and other places. This would have to be driven out by a greater voltage since both are directly
proportional.

• Voltage being the driver of charge around a circuit to generate current, could be simply added if it is
produced by a battery or batteries in a circuit to increase its energy. Connected e.m.f. s in series could
be combined for greater power to drive more charge around a circuit to generate more current.
 ELECTRICAL POWER
• ELECTRICAL POWER is the rate of transferring energy or doing work. It is measured in WATTS. It is
also the rate of transfer of electrical energy or the rate at which electrical energy is consumed.

• Mathematically, POWER (P) = current(I) x voltage (V)

• From Ohm’s law, V = IR, hence P = IV =I(IR) = I2R or P = V x V/R = V2/R

• Power is also the rate which energy is transferred(place to place) or transformed(one form to
another). Thus, P = energy(E)/time =E/t. since energy is in joules and time in seconds, power is in J/s
but J/s = 1W

• Since e.m.f gives energy to charge to flow around a circuit for current, it implies that an equation
ensues between voltage, current and power.

• Power, P = current x voltage = IV

• From P = E/t, E = Pxt. But P = IV, so E = IVt.