Electric Current

Rate of flow of charge per unit time

through the cross section of the conductor

Scalar/Vector Quantity

S I Unit :
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
Drift Speed
These free e-s collide with fixed +ve ions (lattice)
and follow zigzag path,

+
+
+
+

motion is random, no net flow of charge in any direction.

Drift Speed vd
Average speed with which e-s drift,
in the direction opposite to applied electric field.
E

m : mass of e-
eE𝜏
𝝂d = e : electronic charge
m

𝜏 : relaxation time
(Average time taken by e-
between two successive
Mobility μ defined as drift 𝛎d collisions.)
speed per unit electric field μ= depends on material
E
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
Relation between Current Density & Drift Speed
E

i = neA𝝂d
A

j = ne𝝂d
𝝂dΔt

n: free e-s per unit volume

vd: drift speed

The area of cross section of a current carrying conductor is Ao and
Ao/4 at section (1) and (2) respectively. If vd1 and vd2 be the drift
velocity at sections (1) and (2) respectively, then -

A.

B.

C.

D. None of these
Deriving Ohm’s Law

eE𝜏
j = ne𝝂d 𝝂d =
m
[JEE Main -April 2019]
Ohm’s Law

i E
j = 𝞂E V = iR

V
 Resistance
l ⍴l
R= or R=
σA A

R : resistance of a conductor
A
Area of
Cross section Unit : Volt/Ampere or Ohm (Ω)
l

length of conductor Symbol :

along which current flows

ρ : Resistivity Units: Ω-m

σ : Conductivity Units: Ω-1m-1

[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
Series Combination
1. The current in each resistance is same.

Req = (R1 + R2 + R3) i = i1 = i2 = ….

i R1 R2 R3
A B

V1 V2 V3

2. The potential difference across each resistor

is proportional to its resistance.

V∝R
Parallel Combination
1. The potential
R1 difference
across each resistance is same.
1 1 1 1
= + +
Req R1 R2 R3 V = V1 = V2 = ….
R1

i R2

A B
R3

2. The current in each resistance is

inversely proportional to its resistance.

1
i α
R
[JEE Main -Jun 2022]
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
The Junction Law

In an electric circuit, the algebraic sum of the current meeting at

any junction in the circuit is zero
i6 i1
Σi=0
i5
i2

i4
i3
The Loop Law or Voltage Law

The algebraic sum of all the potential differences

along a closed loop in a circuit is zero.
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
Cells in Series

r1 r2 r3 rn req

A B A B

𝛆eq = 𝛆1 + 𝛆2 + 𝛆3 + ………… + 𝛆n

req = r1 + r2 + r3 + ………… + rn

If all cells in series are identical?

Cells in Parallel
r1

r2
r3 A req B
B

rn

If all cells in parallel are identical?

[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
RC Charging Circuit
C
i R
q: Charge on the Capacitor
q -q

i: Current in the Resistance

[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
RC Discharging Circuit
C

q = Qoe-t/RC

Qo
i= ioe-t/RC io =
RC
Galvanometer

The deflection is directly proportional to current

i∝θ N S

i = kθ

k : Galvanometer constant

1 θ
=
k i

Current Sensitivity: deflection per unit current

[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
Ammeter To convert galvanometer into an Ammeter,
connect a small resistance (shunt) in parallel to it.

I: Current to be measured
G
S: Shunt resistance
a small resistance connected in I S
parallel to G
I
Ig: full-scale deflection current

E
Voltmeter To convert a galvanometer into voltmeter, connect
a high value resistance R in series with it.

Ig: full-scale deflection current

Ig Ig
R
G

+
-

R
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]

A. 40 V

B. 45 V

C. 80 V

D. 90 V
Meter Bridge Wire AB of uniform cross section usually 1 m length.

Unknown Resistance Resistance Box

X R
G

A B
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
Potentiometer Rheostat
Variable resistance
Potential gradient along AB Drivercell

i C
k
A
G

𝝆 : Resistivity of wire
A: cross sectional area V
i: current
Linear conductor of uniform cross section.

Made of low expansion coefficient

like Manganin, Constantine wire.
Application of Potentiometer

1. Comparing emf of two cells

𝞮 K Rh

A J B

G
+ 𝞮-
1

+ -
𝞮2
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
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