Chapter 1

Worked Example 1
Q Calculate the current flowing through a circuit when a charge of 50 µC is transferred in a time of 250
milliseconds.

A
(a) Q
50  106 C ; t
250  103 s
Q
I t coulomb
Q
so, I
amp
t
50  106


2  104
250  103
hence, I
0.2 mA Ans

Worked Example 2
Q Calculate the charge transferred by a current of 9.5 A when it flows for a time of 15 minutes.

A
I
9.45 A; t
15  60 s
Q
I t coulomb

9.5  15  60
8550
so, Q
8.55 kJ Ans

Worked Example 3
Q A current of 50 mA flows through a 20
resistor for a time of 4 minutes. Calculate (a) the p.d. developed
across the resistor, (b) the charge transferred, (c) the energy dissipated, and (d) the power dissipated.

A
I
50  103 A; R
20
; t
4  60 s

(a) V
I R volt

50  103  20
so, V
1 V Ans 1
2 Supplementary Worked Examples

(b) Q
I t coulomb

50  103  4  60
so, Q
12 C Ans

V 2t
(c) W
I 2Rt

V I t joule
R

Now, the second and third of the above equations require the use of the p.d.
calculated in part (a). However, if this calculation was incorrect, then the error
involved would cause the answer to part (b) to be wrong also. For this reason
the first equation will be used, since all the data are given in the question.

Hence, W
I 2Rt watt

(50  103 )2  20  240

2500  106  20  240
so, W
12J Ans

W 12
(d) P
watt

t 240
so, P
50 mW Ans

Worked Example 4
Q A 1.5 k
resistor is connected to a variable voltage supply. Calculate the current flowing through it
when the p.d. across the resistor is (a) 5 mV, (b) 0.35 V and (c) 4 V.

A
V
Applying Ohm’s law, I
amp
R

5  103
(a) I

3.33  106
1 .5  1 03
so, I
3.33 µA Ans

0.35
(b) I

2.33  104
1 .5  1 03
so, I
233 µA or 0.233 mA Ans

4
(c) I

2.67  103
1 .5  1 03
so, I
2.67 mA Ans