Electricity

● An electric current is a flow of charge, positive or negative.

● A battery supplies electrons to a circuit at its negative terminal and draws them in at the
positive terminal by means of a chemical reaction in the battery. So, there is a conversion
of chemical potential energy in the battery to electric potential energy of the electrons.

Potential difference across the ends of a conductor: the energy transferred per unit
electric charge flowing through it.
Emf: the work done per unit charge by the source (battery). It is equal to the potential
difference measured across the terminals of a battery when no charges are flowing
in the circuit.
Terminal potential difference: the voltage measured across the terminals of a battery
when charges are flowing in the circuit.

Current strength, I, The rate of flow of charge. It is measured in ampere (A), which is
the same as coulomb per second.

One coulomb: The charge transferred in a conductor in one second if the current is
one ampere.

The direction of conventional current (from positive to negative) in circuit diagrams

using arrows.

An ammeter is connected in series and has a very low resistance.

A voltmeter is connected in parallel and has a very high resistance.

 Incomplete circuit/ open circuit Complete circuit

The voltage measured across the Potential difference are measured in

terminals of a battery when it is not volts with a voltmeter, which has a very
providing current to a circuit is high resistance and is always connected
called the emf of the battery. in parallel across the circuit or resistor.

Ampere: The current in a conductor is one ampere when one coulomb of charge
passes through the conductor per second.

Resistance (R) is the extent to which a resistor limits the flow of charge in it. When
connected to the same potential difference, the higher the resistance of the resistor, The
smaller the current.

Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).

Ohm’s Law: the current in a conductor is directly proportional to the potential Difference across
it, provided its temperature remains constant. V =IR
Definition o f a n o h m : A r e s i s t o r h a s a resistance of 1 ohm if it allows a
current of 1 ampere when the potential difference across it is 1 volt. So, an ohm is a volt per
ampere.
● A metal will have a higher resistance if its outer electrons are held more tightly by the
nucleus of the atom. So, for instance, nichrome (an alloy of nickel and chromium) has a
much higher resistance than copper.

● Current in metals is a flow of loosely bound electrons in the metal. The battery sets up
an electric field in the circuit. The loosely bound electrons move under the action of this
field. There is a conversion of electrical potential energy into kinetic energy of the
moving electrons. The electrons collide with the atoms of the metal, causing them to
vibrate faster. So, there is a conversion of kinetic energy of the electrons to vibrational
kinetic energy of the atoms in the metal. The faster the atoms vibrate, the hotter
they are. If very hot, they could give out light.
Energy conversions:
Chemical potential energy in battery to electrical potential energy of electrons to kinetic
energy of electrons to vibrational kinetic energy of atoms of metal to heat energy and
possibly light energy.
● Resistance increases as the length of the resistor increases
● Resistance decreases as the thickness of the resistor increases.
This can be summarised as:

Where L is the length and A is the cross-sectional area/thickness.

● Resistance increases as the temperature of the resistor is increased.

● When a resistor is added in series to an identical one, the total resistance is doubled.
● When a resistor is added in parallel to an identical one, the total
resistance is halved.
● To calculate the total resistance (equivalent resistance) Rs of a
number of resistors connected in series, simply add them together:
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 ……
● Current is the same at all points in a series circuit.
● Resistors in series divide the potential difference in proportion to the
resistance. They are voltage dividers. Add the potential differences
across each resistor together
to get the potential difference across the whole circuit.
● Resistors in parallel divide the current – they are current dividers.
Add the currents together to get the mainstream current.
● The voltage across each resistor in a parallel connection is the same.
● To calculate the resistance in parallel (Equivalent resistance) you can use the following
relationship.
Worked examples
A battery is made of an unkown number of cells. Each of cells in the battery is labelled 3V. The battery
is connected in a circuit as shown. Ignore the resistance of the of the battery and the wires. Initially
switch S1 is open and the voltmeter connected across the ends of the battery reads 24V

Does the reading of 24V represent emf or the terminal potential difference? Give a reason for (2)
your answer.
Determine the number of cells in the battery? (1)
When switch S1is now closed, the ammeter A1reads 2A and V3 reads 20V.
What will be the reading on:
1.3.1 V1 (1)
1.3.2 V2 (1)
What will the reading on A2 be if 1.33A of current flows through the 3 Ω resistor? (1)
How many coulombs of charge flows through A1 in 1 second? (1)
Calculate the total resistance in the circuit. (4)
How long (in minutes) will it take 4 800J of electrical energy to flow though the 10 Ω resistor? (5)
If switch S2 is now opened (while S1 remains closed) how will this affect the reading on V3? (4)
Explain.
(Choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME)
[20]
2. Study the circuit diagram below. The readings on ammeters Al and A2 are 3A and IA
respectively. The voltmeters connected across the 6Q resistor and the resistor R both read 6V.

2.1 Define the term current strength. (1)

2.2 What is the reading on:
 2.2.1 Ammeter A3? (1)
2.2.2 Voltmeter V2? (1)
2.2.3 Voltmeter V1? (1)
2.3 Calculate the effective resistance for the resistors connected in parallel. (3)
2.4 If the total resistance of the circuit is 4Q, determine the resistance of resistor R. (2)
2.5 Calculate the quantity of charge that flows through resistor R in 2 minutes. (3)
2.6 Determine how much electrical work will be done by the battery in 2 minutes. (3)
3. In the circuit below, the connecting wires and the battery have negligible resistance.

3.1 Define the term resistance. (2)

3.2 Calculate the:
3.2.1 Equivalent resistance of the resistors connected in parallel (3)
3.2.2 Total resistance of the circuit (2)
3.3 When the switch is closed, the voltmeter connected across the 2 Q resistor measures 6 V. (1)
Determine the potential difference across the parallel combination.
3.4 A charge of 18 C flows through the battery in 6 s. calculate the current in the 2 Q resistor (3)

Multiple choice (MCQ)

1. The UNIT in which the rate of flow of charge is measured, is called …
A) Ampere
B) Coulomb.
C) Volt.
D) Watt.

2. Two identical light bulbs are connected as shown in the diagram below. Voltmeters V1
and V2 are connected across each light bulb.

Which ONE of the following voltmeter readings is CORRECT?

A) V1 = V2
B) V1 = 2V2
C) V1 = ½V2
D) V1 = ¼V2
3. Consider the circuit diagram below.

How will the readings on ammeters A1, A2 and A3 compare with each other?
A) A1 = A2 = A3
B) A1 = A2 + A3
C) (A2 + A3) > A1
D) A2 < A3< A1 (2)

4. When switch S is open, the reading on V1 is 2V. which statement is correct with respect to the readings on
the other voltmeters?

(2)

5. Switch S is now closed. The new readings on the voltmeters will be…

(2)
 LONG QUESTIONS
1. In the circuit diagram below the reading on voltmeter V1 is 12V and the reading on ammeter A1 is 2A.

1.1 Calculate the:

1.1.1 Total resistance of the circuit. (4)
1.1.2 Reading on V2. (3)
1.1.3 Reading on A2 (3)
1.1.4 Amount of charge that flows through ammeter in A1 in 120s (3)
1.2 How will the reading on ammeter A1 be affected if the 6Ω resistor is removed from the circuit?

Write down only INCREASE, DECREASE or REMAIN THE SAME.

(1)
1.3 Explain the answer to Question 1.2 without any calculations. (3)

2.
2.1 State one difference between emf and terminal potential difference? (2)
2.2 State Ohm’s law in word. (2)
2.3 How will each of the following changes affect the resistance of a conductor?
(choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME)
2.3.1 Heating the conductor. (1)
2.3.2 Increasing the cross-sectional area (thickness) of the conductor. (1)

2.4 Study the following circuit diagram and answer the questions set. The resistance of the battery and
conducting wires may be ignored.

The ammeter reads 2A and V1reads 6V.

2.4.1 Calculate the total resistance of the circuits. (5)
2.4.2 Calculate the quantity of charge that flows through the 3Ω resistor in 2 minutes? (3)
2.4.4 What is the reading on V2. (2)
A third resistor is now added in parallel to the 36 Ω resistor. How will this affect each of the following?
(choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME)
2.4.5 The reading on the ammeter. Explain the answer. (3)
2.4.6 The emf of the battery. Give a reason. (2)
[24]

3.1 Consider the circuit diagram below.

 Switch S is OPEN.
3.1.1 Write down the reading on the following:
a) Voltmeter (V1) (1)
b) Ammeter (A1) (1)
Switch S is now CLOSED.
3.1.2 Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit. (4)
3.1.3 Calculate the reading on voltmeter V2 (3)
3.1.4 How do the readings on ammeters A2 and A3 compare with each other? (1)
3.2 The graph below shows the relationship between the resistance and the length of the conducting wire.

3.2.1 Write down the relationship between the resistance and the length of the conducting (1)
wire.
3.2.2 Determine the resistance of wire with a length of 30 mm. (1)
[12]

4. Determine the resistance of wire with a length of 30 mm.

4.1 State the hypothesis that the learner wants to test. (2)
4.2 Identify the dependent variable. (1)
4.3 What energy conversion takes place in all 3 electrical circuits? (2)
[5]
Memorandum

Worked Example 1
SOLUTIONS
1.1 Emf ✓
Since no current is flowing through the battery✓
1.2 8✓
1.3.1 4V✓
1.3.2 4V✓
1.4 0.67A✓
1.5 2C✓
1.6

1.7

1.8 Apply Negative Marking

• Decreases ✓
• total resistance will increase✓
• causing total current to decrease✓
• which causes V3 to decrease since V3  I✓
2.1 The rate of flow of charge✓
2.2.1 2A✓
2.2.2 6V✓
2.2.3 12V✓
1 1 1
2.3 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 ✓
𝑅𝑝
1 1 1
= + ✓
𝑅𝑝 6 3
Rp = 2 Ω✓

2.4 RT = R p + R R
4 = 2 + R✓
RR = 2 Ω✓
2.5 3=Q
120

Q = 360C
 2.6 W = VQ
= 12x360
= 4320J

3.1 The ratio of the potential difference across a resistor to the current in the resistor.✓✓
1 1 1
3.2. = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 ✓
𝑅𝑝
1 1 1 1
= + ✓
𝑅𝑝 24
8
Rp = 6 Ω✓
3.2. Rp = Rs + Rp✓
2 = 2 + 6✓
= 8 Ω✓
3.3 Vp = 24V – 6V
=18V✓
3.4 Q = It✓
18 =I(6) ✓
I= 3A✓
Multiple choice questions (MCQ)
1 A✓✓
2 A✓✓
3 B✓✓
4 C✓✓
5 A✓✓

Long questions
1 1 1
1.1.1 = + ✓
𝑅𝑝 𝑅1 𝑅2
1 1 1
= + ✓
𝑅𝑝 6 3
Rp = 2 Ω
Rtotal = 4 + 2 ✓
= 6 Ω✓

1.1.2 R// = Rseries

2Ω:4Ω✓
Therefore, potential difference is also in ratio of 2:4 or 1:2✓
Therefore 12V/3 parts =4V
Vseries = 2x4
= 8V ✓
1.1.3 V
𝐼 = R✓

12−8
𝐼= ✓
6

= 0.67A✓
1.1.4 Q=It✓
= 2x120✓
= 240C✓
1.2 Decrease✓
1.3 If the 6 Ω resistor is removed, the resistance of the whole circuit increases.✓
Since R is inversely proportional to✓ if R increases, and V is constant then I of the circuit
decreases.✓

2
2.1 Emf: voltage across the battery when no current is flowing. ✓

Terminal potential difference: voltage across the battery when current is flowing. ✓
 2.2 the current in a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across it, provided its
temperature remains constant.✓✓

2.3
2.3.1 Increase✓
2.3.2 Decrease✓
1 1 1
2.4.1 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 ✓
𝑅𝑝
1 1 1
= + ✓
𝑅𝑝 36 12
Rp = 9 Ω
Rtotal = 9 + 3✓
= 12 Ω✓

2.4.2 Q = It✓
= 2x120✓
= 240C✓

2.4.3 V = VQ✓
=6x240✓
= 1440J✓
2.4.4 18V✓✓
2.4.5 Increase✓ -

More resistors in parallel create more pathways for current to flow. ✓

Resistance of the circuit will decrease.✓
Current is inversely proportional to resistance.
2.4.6 Remains the same✓
-

Emf is constant.✓ It is the total amount of energy a cell gives to a quantity of charge passing
through it.

3
3.1.1 a) V1 = 24V✓
b) A1 = 0 (A)✓
1 1 1
3.1.2 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 ✓
𝑅𝑝
1 1 1
= + ✓
𝑅𝑝 8 8
Rp = 4 Ω
Rtotal = 8 + 4✓
= 12 Ω✓

3.1.3 V = IR
24 = I(12)
I = 2A

V =IR✓
= 2x8✓
=16V✓
3.1.4 A2 = A3 ✓
3.2.1 Resistance is directly proportional to the length of the conducting wire.✓
OR
As the length of the wire increases, the resistance increases.
3.2.2 1,35 Ω✓ (Range: 1,3 Ω to 1,4 Ω)
4.1 As the number of resistors in series increases so will the current strength decrease ✓✓
4.2 Current strength ✓
4.3 Electrical energy converted to light/heat energy ✓✓