Self"Check Cluestions:

1 State the formula for calculating the effective resistance of resistols connected in

(a)

se es and

Resistors in series:

(b)

R=Rr+Rz +.......... + Rn

parallel.

. oarallel:
...1 - 1 1
'
RRr R2

Resrstors rn

(c)

R,

State the equation for calculating the effective resistance of t\to resistors that are
connected in parallel.

For

!{q

(d)

resislors Ri and R2 in parallel, eflective rer;"t"n"" n =

{'Ra,

State the equation for calculating the current flowing through one of a set of parallel
resistors using the concept of current divider.

I-=R"tr"'uu"*,

Sfale Kirchoff's Firsl Law

Kirchoff's First Law states that at any junction point, the sum of all currents ente ng the junction
must equal the sum of all currents leaving the junction.

State the equation for calculating the potential across one of a series of resistors using the
potential divider principal.

,'v

Rr

R"rrc.u,"
_:-

n,
"
vtotat
",,ott
'LrLrIette.ri'e

Syllabus Objective:

a,

recall and use appropriate symbols as sef ouf

in Sl

Units, Sigr,s, Symbors and

Abbreviations (ASE, 1981) and Signs, Symbols and Systematics (ASE, 1995).

Draw the symbols for the following components.

Symbol

-lt
l'-

-1,

Description

Symbol

Description

Fixed resistor

Electric bell

Variable resistor

Heater

Voltmeter

Thermistor

Ammeter

Potential divider

Galvanometer

Loudspeaker

Cell

Lamp

Battery

Power supply

{F
--1r.{ll

-__-)tL

Capacitor *

Transformer with
core

Diode

l\,4icrophone *

Fuse

Motor *

Aerial *

Light emitting
diode

m)

Light Dependent

--F

Resistor (LDR)

(LED)
Earth connection

b.

draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing sources, swifches, resistors, ammeters,
voltneters, and/or any other type of component referred to in the syllabus.
A student has available some resistors, each of resistance 100 O. Draw circuit diagrams, one in
each case to show how a number of these resistors may be connected to produce a combined
resistance of

(a)

200

(b)

(a)

50

(c)

40

(b)

_-G
R=100+'100
=200C)

}p=1'r00
L1
=50O

l1',

r00

p=1!*
L* )00
L1,
'r00 r00
=40O

c,

solve problems using the fomula for the combined resistance of two or more resistors in

d.

5e/es,
solve problems using the formula for lhe combined resistance of two or more resistors in
Parcllel.
solve ptoblems involving series and parallel circuils for one source of e.m'f
Three resistors are connected as shown in Figure 6. The points X and Y are connected to a source of
direct current.

Fis.6

Express the ratio

/,4

rn terms ot R- and

n,'"lt&
onry. 1|

4 = i, + L (Kirchofs First Law)

As R2 and R3 are connected in parallel,
V, =V"

trR, - 1,R,

. t"R,
.R,
=!&,1"
'R?

1.

l_ &+&
l.

R,

-^^Rt

In the circuit shown in Figure 7, a potential difference of 3 V is applied across XY.

6()

2A

Fig.7

Calculate the current passing through the 5 O resistor. [0.375 A]

Effective resistance across XY =

9=4O

Total current flowina ttrrouqn xY

=9 - 0.25 n
4

Current llowrng through the b O resrstor =

!p.rS
4
2

-O.SZS

ln the circuit shown in Figure B, each of the resistors X and Y has resistance 6 O. The cell C has
e.m.f. of 12 V and internal resistance is 3 O.

Y
Fig.8

What is the current passing through Y? [1 A]

Take note that the internal resistance of the cell has to be considered and that the intemal
resistance of the cell is not considered to be parallel to X and Y because it does not have the same
potential across it when compared with X and Y.
EffecLive resistance ot X and

Y=

-tt - -3O
+
66

Effective resisiance ofthe entire circuit =

Ctrrrent l,

= R6
=

't2

3+3 = 6 O

=24

By Kirchoff's First Law,

l1= lr+

13

As X and Y have the same potential difference, since they are connected in parallel,

The qiven circuit in Fiqure

is made up of six resistors each of resistance R.

Fig.9

What is the equivalent resistance across x and Y? [Fy3]

parallel

parallel

Parallel

0
x

This becomes Ri/2 parallelwith R.

Effective resistance = 1/3 R

Take note that

the

effective resistance of 2
parallel resistors of the
same resistance R is RY2.

10

What is the equivalent resistance of the neh,vork between a and b in the Figure 10?
I10

Ol

00
Fig. 10

Note:
n

The potential at X and Y are the same, therefore we can ignore the middle resistor.

t1*1t'=
'20 20

to o

Consider the combination of resisiors in the Figure 11.

11

(a)
(b)

Calculate the resistance bet\reen points a & b.

lf the current in the 5 O resistor is
b. t53 vl

'1

[:)t

O]

A, calculate the potential difference between points a &

(c) lf the points c, d & e were connected together with a conducting wire of negligible
resistance, calculate is the equivalent resistance beh^/een points a & b. [2 O]

1T'

(a)

1,
, J,
, "6c)

1_

v\
ln 't

d-- -)

Lt

Fis.

11

+1
ll s;
|-o

(b)

%d
t6d

2l

= 1 x (6+5+1)= 12 V

- tzi J-44

/"d=4+ 1 = 5 A (Kirchoff s First

Vcd=5x4=20V
Vbc= 12 + 20 =

Law)

32V

lac= 16 + 5 = 21 A (Kirchoff's First Law)

ve= 21 x1=21V
(c) The 4 O and 6 O resistorc parallel to the wire will be bypassed
R.h= 1 + (1/2+ 1/3+

=24

116)1

\11

l-r

lLr
l2
-a
5

show an understanding of the use of a potential divider circuit as a source ofvariable p'd.
12

A constant 60 V d.c. supply is connected across two resistors of resistance 400 kO and 200 kO as
shown in Figure 12. What is the reading of the voltmeter given that the voltmeter is not ideal and
has a resistance of 200 kO? [12 Vl

t- -*

looro--*

2oo ko

.:._..._

Let R2 be the effective resistance of ihe voltmeter and resistor in parallel connection
Let V2 be the voltmeter reading

p"=1-L111'=196p9

'

200

200 '

100+ 400

x60='12V
Fig. 12

13

Apotentialdividerisusedtogiveoutputsof2Vand3Vfroma5Vsource,asshowninFigurel3.

+3V
+2V
OV
Fig.

'13

Which combination of resistances, R7, R, and

R3

gives the correct voltages? Show workings.

R1/ka Rr/kQ R3l/ko

A1
82

1
1

c3

D3

2
2

+3V
+2V

So,

&+&+&

Only choice B fits the relation.

14

Figure'14 shows a circuit containing a 30V battery and 6 resistors. The potential differences
across A, C and D are 22V,8 V and 12 V respectively. Calculate the potential difference across
each of the components B, E and F and also the potential at the points U, W, X, Y and Z.
[8 V, 10 V, 10 V, 0 V, 12 V, 20 V, -2 V, -10 \',]

Sketch

a qraph to show how the

potential varies along the line XZ. Label the graph with

appropdate values.

30v

Fig- 14

vYz=30-22=BV
Vuz=30-B-12=10V
Vw=0+12=12V
Vx=12+B=20V
Vy=20-22=-2V
V,=-2-8=-1OV

-2
,10

i.e p.d. across B is 8 V

i.e. p.d. across E and F are 10 V.
(since it is connected to earth)

Distance

Distance

explain the use of thetmistors and light-dependent resistors in potential dividers to provide

a potential difference which is dependent on temperature and illumination respectively.

15

The light dependent resistor (LDR) and a 500 o resistor form a potential divider between voltage
lines held at + 30 V and - 30 V as shown in Figure 15. The resistance of the LDR is 1000 O in the
dark but then drops to 100 o in bright light. What is the corresponding change in potential at x?
I30

vl

+30v

V=+30-(-30)
= 60

-30v
In the dark, the resistance of LDR

P.d. across 500

resistor

is '1000 o.

= fraction

of60 V

,oo
=5005oo
1000
+

=20v
The potential

ofX=(-30)+20 =-10V

ln bright light, the resistance of LDR is '100

P.d. across the 500

o resistor

o.

fraction of 60 V

=5005!o
+100 "66

=50v
The potential of

X=( 30)+50 =+20V

The change in the potential ofX = + 20

( - 10)= 30 V

Fig. 15

't6

A student decided to build a temperature probe and set up a circuit as shown in Figure 16a- The
battery has e.m.f. 9 V and negligible internal resistance-

1.11r

0.lv

Figure 16a

*-a

Jo'c1'L
c

l'58L

The voltmeter has infinite resistance. The calibration curve for the thermistor is shown in the Figure

'16b

3-:17J

Figure 16b

(a) Suggest why

it is necessary to include a fixed resistor in the circuit.

A fixed resistor is included in the circuit to form a potential divider circuit such that the potential
difference across the thermistor is a fraclion of the battery e.m.f.. Any changes in the thermistor
resistance associated with changes in temperature will be indicated by changes in the potential
difference across the thermistor and hence changes in the voltmeter reading.
Without the fixed resistor, the potential difference across the thermistor will always be the same,
equal to the p.d. across the cell, I V, i.e. ihe reading on the voltmeter will be constant.

(b) The probe is to be used to measure temperature in the range 0 "C and 30 "c. Use the graph in
Figure 16b to find the resistance of the thermistor when the probe is at 30 "C. Hence calculate the
reading on the voltmeter for the temperature of 30 'C. [1.25 kO, 7.2 V]
Resistance of the thermistor = 1.25 kO
Readinq- on voltmeter

50

5 0+ I.-25

xg.O=7.2V

(c) When the iemperature of the thermistor is 2.5 "C, the voltmeter reads 5.3 V. The voltmeter has a
range 0 to 10 V. Suggest one disadvantage of using this voltmeter in the circuit of Figure 16a for
temperature measurement.
For a temperature range of 2.5oC to 30'C, potential difference across the sko resistor will range
approximately from around 5.30 V lo 7.2V. Thus only a small part of the voltmeter range will be
used and it is difficult to achieve high precision.

h.

recall and solve problems using the principle of the potentiometer as a means of comparing
pote nt ia I d ifferen ces.

17

A potentiometer has a wire XY of length L and resistance R. lt is powered by a battery of e-m.f. E

and internal resistance r in series with a resistor of resistance 2R. With another cell in the branch
circuit, the null point is found to be U3 from X, as shown in Figure 17.

E,r

cell

Fig.17

Express the e.m.f. of the cell in terms of

E,r

E r, R and L (whichever is necessary).

2R

At null point, the

p.d. across the
wire here is
equalto the
e.m.f. of this cell.

Let the e.m.f. of this cell be E'

The p.d. across the wire (U3) is a fraction of E (by potential divider principle).
So

Ri3
R+2R+r

ER
3(3R

+r)

'18

ln a particular potentiometer circuit shown in Figure 18, the balance length, /was found to be too
small. / can be increased by

Driver Cell with negligible internal

resistance

Fig. 18

changing the driver cell to one with larger e.m.f.

connecting a protective resistor in series wjth the galvanometer.
c adding a resistor in series with the driver cell.
D replacing the slide wire PQ with one that has higher resistance.
B

Explain your reasoning.

The answer is C.
The balance length is such that the p.d. across the length of wire / is equal to the e.m.f. of the cell
Hence,

E" =V,

Hence, to increase the value of /, while Ev and /po is fixed, the only way is to reduce ypo. This can
be done by adding a resistor in series with the driver cell as the e.m.f. of the driver cell will now be

divided bet\Meen the resistor and the wire, instead ofjust the wire only.
Option A will be decreasing

Option B and D will have no effect on the balance length.

One of the reasons for doing so is to increase the sensitivity of the device, so as to determine a
more precise value for the e.m.f. of Y.

19

ln Fiqure 19, AB is a 10 Q slide wire, 50 cm long. Er is a 2 V accumulator of negligible resistance Rl

and R2 ?re resistances of 15 O and 5 O respectively. When the keys K1 and K2 are both open, the
galvanometer shows no deflection when AJ is 3'1.25 cm. When keys K1 and K2 are both closed, the
balance length AJ is 5 cm. Calculate

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

The e.m.f. of cell E, [0.5

The internal resistance ofthe cell E, I7.5 Ql

Kr is close. ['12.5 cm]
The balance length AL wnen n, is op&r/and
'\/
The balance length AJ when K is cloUe and K is open. [12.5 cm]

50
(a)

to"
(21 = 0.8 V
- = 10+15

'

When K, is ooened. Y."

S;nce K, is opened, no current flows in the lower circuit i.e. e.m.f. E2 is measured.

F, =
(b)

Y^ i

tt )5
:-:-t0 8t = 0.5 V
50

When Kr is closed,

V,qs

=2V

Since K, is closed, current flows in the lower circuit

y^,= 2121 = o.2y

'-

Vat= Ez- Ir

50

e /(5)=0.2 = I=0.215=O.O4A
Er-h=0.2 - 0.5-0.04r=0.2 -.t r=7.54
Since/R.0.2V

(c)

When lG opened, VnL= Ez= O.5Y

When Kr is closed,

YAs = 2

1 0.5 -.t l=12.5cm

502

(d)

When K, closed, VeL = 0.2 V

When K1 is opened, Vre = 0.8 V

L=92 .50

0.8

t=

12.s cm

20

ln using a simple slide-wire potentiometer circuit, a large protective resistance is sometimes

connected in series with the galvanometer. Why is this done?
Explain how (if at all) the presence of this resistance affects
(a) the position of the balance point,
(b) the precision with which it may be found.

(a)
(b)

The resistance will have no effect on the position of the balance point. At balance, there is
no current flowing through the galvanometer. Hence, the resistance will not cause a
chanqe in the potential difference across any hto points and therefore, will not affect the
balance length.
Adr,.@'4
The precision at which the balance length may be found willSflRase. Before balance, a
current will flow through the galvanometer. With the existence gf a protective resistance,
the current flowing through the galvanometer will be reduced.lisa.ffidt

'(l^'s

n*g

yz.o^nn

",r-'*^

,y'La*',++e-,

4'^-

,*

W *{-q

?*'"%

Practical Application:

21

A tow ol 25 tlecorative lights, connected in sedes, is connected to a mains tlansformer. When the

supply is switched on, the lights do not work. The owner uses a voltmeter to test the circuit. When
the voltmeter is connected across the third bulb in the row, a reading of zero is obtained. Which of
the following cannot be the only fault in the circuit?

A
B
C
D

The filament of one of the other bulbs has broken.

The filament of the third bulb has broken.
The fuse in the main transformer has blown.
There is a break in the wire from the supply to the transformer.

'

Explain your reasoninq.

"

The answer cannot be A, C and D because all these options will give you a zero reading for tbe
third bulb. The answer has to be B. lf B is the only fault, then, the voltmeter will give you a nonzero reading instead.

'

Electrical devices are often rated with a voltage and a current - for example, 120 volts, 5 amperes.
Batteries, however, are only rated with a voltage - for example, 1.5 volts. Why?

An electrical appliance has a given resistance. Thus, when attached to a power source with a
known potential difference, a definite current will be drawn- The device can be labelled with both
the voltage and the current- Batteries, however, can be applied to a number of devices. Each
device will have a different resistance, so the current from the battery will vary with the device. As
a result, only the voltage of the battery will be specified.

Why is it possible for a bird to sit on a high-voltage wire without being electrocuted?
The bird is resting on a wire of a fixed potential. ln order to be electrocuted, a potential difference is
potential difference between
feet.
required. There

is no

the bird's

24

Data Analysis
Current for a car's electrical system is supplied by the battery when the engine is not running, and
by the generator. All the current is supplied at the voltage of the battery usually 12 V or the
generator (approximately 15.5 V), except the current at the spark-plugs, which is boosted by the

ignition system to as much as 3x104 V as required. A car's electrical system is divided into
circuits, all with different basic functions and different controls. They are: the ignition circuit, the
starter circuii, the charging circuit, the lighting circuit and accessories circuits.
Below is a diagram showing a simplified lighting circuits, a table showing the various lamps their
voltages and power ratings when working normally, and the other the V-l characteristics of one of
the lamps.

Revelsilg lights

Side lights

Specjfications for each type of car light

Stop light

12V

1BW

Tail light

12V

5W

Side light

12V

Head light

12V

60w

Reversing light

12V

21W

Lamp characteristics
15

p.d.A/

/
'10

1.0

0.5
(a)

1.5

State and explain the type of car light the above graph represents.

light.
\

Stop
The current at p.d. 12 V is 1.5 A. The power consumption is
12v 1.5 A= 18 W. (stop

(b)

currenvA

light)

Ill
t1l

Complete the table below.

Current/A

o.2

o.4

p.dA/

0.3

'1

Resistance
IQ

1.5

2.5

0.B

2.2

't.0

3.6

5.4

4.5

5.4

1.2

6.5

1.4

1.6

10.4

14.O

7.4

8.8

t3l

(c)

Plot a graph of resistance against current for the lamp.

(Assume linear relationship)

t3l

R/O
9

.9

(:
'7

I
5

&'

1
3
n

*/

6/

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 l.o

1.2 t.4

1.6

I/A

From the graph, obtain the resistance of the lamp when

(i)

normally,
8.3

(iD

8.4

f)

tll

cold. Explain your method for(ii).

0.4 e)
When cold, no current flows through the lamp.
At I = 0 A, obtain the intercept on the R axis.

t1l
t1l

l1l

(d)

Why are all the car lights arranged in parallel?

Two basic reasons:

All will receive the same p.d. of 12
When 1 lamp breaks, other lamps are not

1.
2.
(e)

lll
I1l

Calculate the toial current drawn from the battery when the car is stationary and the headlights, the
reversing lights and the stop lights are on.
Current drawn by headlights

2..60
-,;-

current drawn by reversrng lrghts =

Current drawn by stop lights

Total current drawn = 23.5

(f)

affected.

-10A

3-Z - 3.5 A
12

-,^60
- :- - 10 A
12

121

Why is ihe initial current through each type of light greater than when it is operating nomally?
lnitially, the lamp is cold when just switched on.
Resistance is low. Larger current
At normal operating condition, the lamp is hot and
higher resistance. Lower current flows

flows.
consequently.

(g)

I1l
11]

The function of the spark plug is to provide a spark so that the air-petrol mixture can be ignited.
Suggest how the spark could be created in the ignition system.

cylinder.
created.

High potential ofthe spark plug ionizes the air in the

Electrons and air ions flow resulting in sparks

(h)

I1l

nl

Suggest one other circuit, other than the lighting circuit, that may draw current from the battery.

Accessoies circuit (e.q. radio, CD player), ignition circuit,

***

End

etc.

ofTutorial ***

11l