Chapter

1 Electricity

Electricity is one of the most

important blessings that science has 0.625
n=
given to mankind. It has also become an 10
essential part of modern life and one n = 0.625 x 1019
cannot think of a world without it.
n = 625 X 1016 electrons
ELECTRIC CHARGE [ Q ]
Conductors and Insulators
Charge is the property of materials
which makes them able to attract or repel Substances through which
each other. There are two types of charges can flow easily are called
charges-Positive and Negative. SI unit of conductors.
charge is Coulomb (C).
Eg: - Silver, Copper, Iron, etc.
Properties of Electric Charges
Substances which do not allow
 Like charges repel each other and charges to pass through them are called
unlike charges attract each other. insulators.
 Charges obey the law of
Eg:- Wood, Glass, Rubber, etc.
Conservation.

The smallest amount of charge that a

material can have is the charge of an
electron which is, e =1.6 x 10-19 C.
Thus the total charge of any material is,
Q=ne
Q = Total Charge
e = charge of an electron
ELECTRIC CURRENT [ I ]
Electric current is defined as the
amount of charge flowing through a
particular area of conductor in unit time.
It is the rate of flow of charges.
Charge ( )
Electric Current ( ) =
time ( )

n = Number of electrons =
Q.1: Calculate the number of electrons
SI unit of electric current is Ampere ( A )
constituting/present in 1C of charge?
1C
1A=
Ans.) Total Charge, Q = 1C 1s

Charge of an electron, e =1.6 x 10-19 C 1 A is the current in a conductor

when 1 C of charge is flowing through it
We have Q = n e in 1 second.

Q The device used to measure

. ·. number of electrons, n=
e electric current is Ammeter. Ammeter is
always connected in series in a circuit.
1
n=
1.6 x 10

1
 Small quantities of current are The SI unit of potential difference is Volt
expressed in milliampere (1 mA = 10–3 A) (V).
or in microampere (1 µA = 10–6 A).
1J
1V=
Q.2: A conductor carries a current of 3 A. 1C
Find the amount of charge flowing in 40
Voltmeter is the device used to measure
seconds?
potential difference (voltage). Voltmeter is
Ans.) Current, I = 3 A always connected in parallel in a circuit.

Time, t = 40 s

Q  In a circuit, current always flows

I=
t
Q=Ixt
Q = 3 x 40
Q = 120 C
Q.3: A current of 0.75 A is drawn by
filament of an electric bulb for 5 minutes.
Find the amount of electric charge that
flows through the circuit?
Ans.) Current, I = 0.75 A
Time, t = 5 minutes = 5 x 60 = 300
s Ans.) Charge, Q= 2 C
from higher potential to lower
potential.
 Battery can be used to maintain
potential difference in a circuit.
 In a battery, current flows from +ve
terminal to –ve terminal through the
circuit.
Q.5: 6 Joule of work is done in moving a
charge of 2 C between two points. Find
the potential difference between the
points?

Q=Ixt Work done, W = 6 J

Q = 0.75 x 300 Potential difference, V =

Q = 225 C
6
V=
Q.4: A current of 5 mA is flowing through 2
a wire. Find the number of electrons V=3V
passing through it in 1 minute?
Q.6: How much is the work done in
moving a charge of 3 C across two points
POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE [ V ] having a potential difference of 15 V?

Electric potential difference Ans.) Charge, Q = 3 C

between any two points in a circuit is the Potential difference, V = 15 V
work done to move a unit charge from one
point to the other point. W
V=
Q
Work Done
Potential Difference =
Charge W=VxQ

W= 45 J
=

2
Q.7: Calculate the amount of work done CIRCUITS AND COMPONENTS
in moving a charge of 8 C from a point A
A continuous and closed path of an
to B, if the potentials at A and B are 2 V
electric current is called an electric
and 6 V respectively?
circuit. Symbols of some commonly used
components in circuit diagrams are given
below.

3
Q.8: Draw a circuit diagram consisting of
(i) A battery (ii) A key (iii) A bulb and (iv) V-I Graph
An ammeter. 4.5

Ans.) 4

Potential difference (V)

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Current (A)
Q.9: Draw a circuit diagram to measure
the potential difference across a resistor
which is connected to a battery?
Q.10: Calculate the potential difference
OHM'S LAW required across a conductor of resistance
8 Ω to pass a current of 1.2 A?
Ohm's law states that at constant
temperature, the electric current (I) Ans.) Current, I = 1.2 A
passing through a metallic conductor is
directly proportional to the potential Resistance, R = 8 Ω
difference (V) across its ends.
Potential difference, V = I R
That is, V  I
V = 1.2 X 8
V
= a constant V = 9.6V
I
Q.11: An electric bulb draws 2.5 A
=
current at 10V. Find the resistance of the
bulb filament?
V=IR
Ans.) V = 10 V
Where R is a constant which is called the
resistance of the conductor. I = 2.5 A

Resistance is the property of a V=IR

conductor to resist/oppose the flow of V
charges through it. R =
I
10
The SI unit of resistance is Ohm ( Ω ). R =
2.5
1V
1Ω = R=4Ω
1A

For a conductor, V-I graph will be Q.12: How much current will an electric
a straight line and the slope of the graph bulb draw from a 220 V source, if the
resistance of the bulb filament is 1100 Ω?
( ) gives the resistance (R).

4
Q.13: The potential difference between 2.) Thickness or Area of cross-section
the terminals of an electric heater is 100
1
V, when it draws a current of 4 A from the R α . . . … … (2)
A
source. What current will the heater draw
Resistance of a conductor is inversely
if the potential difference is increased to
proportional to Area of cross-section of
250 V?
the conductor
Activity to verify Ohm’s Law
3.) Nature of the material
Ciruit:
Conductors having same length and
thickness, but made of different materials
have different resistances.

4.) Temperature

Resistance of a conductor depends on

temperature also. The resistance of a
pure conductor increases with
temperature.

Combining relations (1) and (2); we

Procedure:
get
 Connect the circuit as shown in
the diagram. Rα
A
 Measure the values of potential
difference (V) and current (I) from =
voltmeter and ammeter.
 Calculate the resistance of the Where ρ is a constant known as the
conductor using the equation; R = resistivity or specific resistance of the
material of the conductor.
 Repeat the experiment by
adjusting the rheostat. R = ρ
A
Observation:
 As V increases, I also increases. RA
ρ=
 The ratio remains constant
Conclusion: When l =1 m and A =1 m2
 Current (I) is directly proportional
Rx1
to the potential difference (V). ρ=
1

FACTORS ON WHICH RESISTANCE OF
A CONDUCTOR DEPENDS
1.) Length of the conductor
Resistance of a conductor is directly
proportional to its length.
ρ=R
Therefore Resistivity is defined as
the resistance of the conductor having
unit length (1 m) and unit area of cross-
section (1 m2).
SI unit of resistivity is Ω m (Ohm meter).

R∝l ……….(1)

5
 Resistivity is the property of the Q.15: A wire of given material, having
material. Different materials have length l and area of cross-section A, has
different resistivity. Resistivity does not a resistance of 16 Ω. What would be the
depend on length, size or shape of the resistance of another wire of same
conductor, but it varies with temperature. material having length l/2 and area of
cross-section 2A?
 Resistivity of an alloy (combination
of metals) is generally higher Ans.) Resistivity, ρ =
than that of its constituent metals.
 Alloys like Nichrome do not oxidise For first wire:
(burn) easily at high temperatures.
Area = A m2
For this reason, they are
commonly used in electrical Length = l m
heating devices, like electric iron,
toasters, etc. Resistance, R =16 Ω
 Tungsten is used for filaments of
Substituting the values,
electric bulbs.
 Copper and aluminium are used for ρ= ………………(1)
electrical transmission lines as
they have low resistivity. For second wire:

Area A′ = 2A m2

Q.14: If the resistance of a wire of length Length l′= l/2 m

120 cm and diameter 0.04 mm is 25 Ω.
Resistance, R ′=?
Calculate the resistivity of the material of
the wire? ρ′
R′=
A′
Ans.) l =120 cm = 120 x 10-2 m=1.2 m
( ρ is same for both wires )
Diameter, d = 0.04 mm = 0.04 x 10-3 m
Substitute for ρ from (1)
Radius, r = d/2= 0.02 x 10-3 m
16 A
x /2
Area of cross-section, A = πr R′ =
2A
A = 3.14x(0.02x10 )
R′ = 4 Ω
A = 12.56 x 10-10 m2

Q.16: A wire is 1 m long, 0.2 mm in

RA diameter has a resistance of 10 Ω.
ρ=
Calculate the resistivity of the material?

Q.17: What length of copper wire of

resistivity 1.72 x 10-8 Ωm and radius 1
25 x12.56x 10
ρ= mm is required, so that its resistance is
1.2
1Ω?
ρ = 261.6x10-10 Ωm

6
COMBINATION OF RESISTORS Q.18: An electric lamp whose resistance
is 8Ω and a conductor of 2 Ω resistance
I. Resistors in series
are connected to a 5 V battery as shown
in the figure. Calculate

(a) The total resistance of the circuit

(b) The current through the circuit

(c) Potential difference across lamp and

conductor.

Consider three resistors R1, R2 and

R3 which are connected in series as shown
in figure.

In a series combination of resistors:

Ans.)
 Current through all the resistors is
a) Total resistance, Rs = R1 + R2
same.
 Potential difference V is equal to the Rs = 2+8= 10 Ω
sum of potential differences V1, V2,
and V3. b) Current through the circuit,

V = V1+V2+V3 ……… (1) V

I =
R
Applying Ohm's law
5
I = = 0.5 A
V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2, V3 = IR3 10

Substitute in (1) c) Potential difference:

Across the conductor

V = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
V1 = IR1
If Rs is the equivalent resistance of the
combination of these 3 resistors, V1 = 0.5 x 2 = 1 V
IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 Across the lamp

IRs = I(R1 + R2 + R3) V2 = IR2

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 V2 = 0.5 x 8 = 4 V

The equivalent resistance of series Q.19: Draw a circuit diagram consisting

combination of resistors is the sum of of a battery of 3 cells, each of 2V, resistors
individual resistances. of 4 Ω, 8 Ω, 12 Ω and a plug key all
connected in series. Also calculate the
current through the circuit?

7
Ans.) In a parallel combination:

 Potential difference across all the resistors

is same.
 The total current (I) is equal to the sum of
I1, I2, and I3.

Total current, I = I1+I2+I3 …………………(1)

Applying Ohm’s law

I = , I = , I =

Substituting the values in (1)

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3
V V V
I = + +
Rs = 4+8+12 = 24 Ω R R R

V=6V Let Rp be the equivalent resistance of this

combination, then
6
I = = 0.25 A V
24 I =
R
Q.20: Calculate the equivalent resistance
of three resistors 8 Ω, 4 Ω and 6 Ω Therefore,
connected in series. Also calculate the V V V V
= + +
current if the combination is connected to R R R R
a battery of 9 volt.
V 1 1 1
= V( + + )
R R R R

II. Resistors in Parallel 1 1 1 1

= + +
R R R R

Thus, in a parallel combination the

reciprocal of equivalent resistance is the
sum of reciprocals of individual
resistances.

 In a series combination the

equivalent resistance is higher
than the highest resistance.
 In a parallel combination the
equivalent resistance will be lower
than the lowest resistance.

Q.21: Three resistors of 4 Ω, 8 Ω and 20

Consider three resistors R1, R2 and Ω are connected in parallel and the
R3 which are connected in parallel as combination is connected to a battery of
shown in the figure. 10 V. Calculate

8
(a) The current through each resistor 1 1 1 1
= + +
R 4 8 20
(b) Total current in the circuit
1 2 1 1
(c) Total resistance of the circuit = + +
R 8 8 20
Ans.) 1 3 1
= +
R 8 20

1 (20x3) + 8
=
R 8 x 20

1 68 17
= =
R 160 40

Total resistance, R = = 2.35 Ω

Q.22: Calculate the equivalent resistance

between 'A' and 'B' of the combination,
given in the diagram.

a) The current through each resistor

V
I =
R

10
I = = 2.5 A
4
Ans.)
V
I =
R Here R2 (Second resistor) and R3
(third resistor) are in parallel, and this
10
I = = 1.25 A combination is in series with R1 (first
8
resistor)
V
I = Equivalent resistance of parallel
R
combination
10
I = = 0.5 A 1 1 1
20 = +
R R R
b) Total current in the circuit,
1 1 1 2
= + = =1
I = I1+I2+I3 R 2 2 2

I = 2.5+1.25+0.5 R =1Ω

I = 4.25 A Total resistance, Rs = R1 + Rp

c) For parallel combination, RS= 2+1 = 3 Ω

1 1 1 1 Q.23: What is the maximum resistance

= + +
R R R R that can be made using 5 resistors, each
of (1/5) Ω?

9
Ans.) H = IR x It

Maximum resistance can be made by H = I2Rt

connecting them in series combination.
Also,
Rs = R1+ R2+ R3+ R4+ R5
1 1 1 1 1 5 V
R = + + + + = =1Ω I =
5 5 5 5 5 5 R

Q.24: A 4 Ω resistance wire is bent in the V

H=Vx xt
form of circle. Find the equivalent R
resistance between the ends of a
diameter. =

Q.25: What is the highest and lowest Joule's Law of heating

total resistance that can be made by
combining four resistors of 4 Ω, 8 Ω, 12 Ω
and 24 Ω?
Q.26: Show how you would connect 3
resistors each of 6 Ω, so that the
combination has a total resistance of (i) 9
Ω (ii) 2 Ω
The heat produced in a resistance
wire is directly proportional to square of
the current, resistance and time for which
the current is flowing. That is H = I2Rt.
This relation is called Joule’s law.
ELECTRIC POWER

Advantages of parallel combination in The work done by an electrical

domestic circuit device per unit time is called electric
power. It is also equal to electrical energy
In parallel combination of devices- consumed per unit time. SI unit of electric
 Each device can be controlled by power is watt (W).
separate switches. Work
 Each device will get the required Power =
time
amount of current and potential
difference to work properly. Heat
Power =
 If any of the device is damaged, it time
will not affect the working of other VIt
devices. P= = VI
t
HEATING EFFECT OF ELECTRIC P = VI
CURRENT
P= = I 2R
When electric current is passed
through a high resistance wire it becomes P = I2R
hot due to heat produced by electric
current. This is called heating effect of V
t V
electric current. Heat produced in a P= R =
t R
resistance wire is given by

H= VIt =

By Ohm's law

V = IR

10
Q.27: 1000 J of heat is produced in each Q.30: Calculate the resistance of a heater
second in a resistor of 2.5 Ω. Find the of rating 600 W -120 V.
potential difference across the resistor.
Applications of heating effect of
Ans.) H =1000 J, t = 1 s, R = 2.5 Ω electric current

V It has applications:
H= t
R
 In heating devices like electric iron,
HR water heater, toaster, soldering iron,
V =
t etc.
 in filament lamp
HR  in electric fuse
V=
t
 Filament of electric bulb is made
1000 x 2.5 up of tungsten as it has high
V= melting point (3380º C).
1
 The bulbs are filled with
V = √2500 = 50 V chemically inactive gases like
nitrogen and argon to prolong the
Q.28: An electric bulb is connected to a life of filament.
220 V source. The current is 0.5 A. What  Alloys are used as heating coils in
is the power of the bulb? devices like electric iron, water
heaters, etc. Because alloys have
Ans.) high resistivity and they does not
P=VxI oxidize readily at high
temperatures.
P = 220 x 0.5 = 110 W
Electric Fuse: It is a safety device that
Q.29: An electric bulb is rated 250V, protects our electrical appliances in case
100W. What is its resistance? What is the of short circuit or overloading.
maximum current that can be passed
through it? • Fuse is made up of alloy of tin and lead.

Ans.) Voltage, V = 250V • Fuse is always connected in series with

live wire.
Power, P = 100W
• Fuse wire has low melting point.
Current, I =
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
100
I = The amount of electrical energy
250 consumed by any electrical device of
I = 0.4A power P, when operates for a time t
seconds, is given by
Resistance, R =
Energy = Power x time
250 E=Pxt
R=
100

R = 625Ω

11
 SI unit of energy is joule (J). But,
Joule is a smaller unit for measuring
electrical energy, so for commercial
purposes another unit called kilowatt-
hour (kWh) is used to measure electrical
energy.
1 kWh =1000W x 60 x 60s
1 kWh = 1000 x 3600 J
1 kWh = 36 x 105 J
1 kWh is commonly known as 1 unit of
electrical energy.
1 kWh is defined as the electrical energy
consumed by an electrical appliance of
power 1000 W in 1 hour.
Q.31: An electric refrigerator rated 400W
operates 10 hours daily. What is the cost
of energy to operate it for one month at
Rs. 3 per unit?
Ans.) Power = 400 W = 0.4 kW
Time, t = 10 hours
Energy consumed in one day, E = P x t
E = 0.4 x 10 = 4 kWh
Energy consumed in one month = 4 x 30
= 120 kWh
Cost of electrical energy = 120 x 3 = Rs.
360
Q.32: A water heater is rated 1500 W,
250 V. It is connected to 250 V supply.
Calculate;
a) The current drawn.
b) Energy consumed in 50 hours.
c) Cost of energy at a rate of Rs.4 per
unit.
Q.33: For an electric heater rated 4 kW,
200 V. Calculate:
a) the current required
b) the resistance of the heater
c) the energy consumed in 1 hour.
Important Questions
1. On what factors does the
resistance of a conductor depend?
Give its mathematical expression.
Give the SI unit of resistivity?
2. Calculate the resistivity of a metal
of length 2 m at 20°C having the
resistance of 20  and diameter
0.4 mm.
3. Define the SI units of
(a) Current
(b) Potential Difference
(c) Resistance
(d) Electric Power
(e) Electrical Energy
4. What is the conventional direction
of flow of current?
5. Define the term resistivity?
6. How is the voltmeter and ammeter
connected in the electric circuit?
7. Why the filament of bulb has high
melting point?
8. How does use of a fuse wire protect
electrical appliance?
9. What is the relationship between
power, current and potential
difference?
10. A wire of length L and resistance R
is stretched so that its length is
doubled and the area of cross
section is halved. How will its (i)
Resistance and (ii) Resistivity
change?
11. Why are copper wires used as
connecting wires?
12. A Wire of resistivity  is stretched
to double its length. What is its
new resistivity?
13. How will you join three
resistances, each of 2 , so that
the effective resistance is
maximum?
14. What happens to the current in a
circuit if its resistance is doubled?
15. Two wires are of the same length,
same radius, but one of them is of
12
 Copper and the other is of a) The current through the 20
Nichrome. Which will have more Ω resistance.
resistance? b) Current through X.
16. Two wires of same material and c) Value of resistance X.
same length have radii r1 and r2.
Compare their resistances if r1 r2.
17. Given three resistors, each of
resistance R. How will you
combine them to get the (i)
maximum and (ii) minimum
effective resistance? What is the
ratio of the maximum to minimum 26. To study the dependence of
resistance? potential difference (V) on current I
18. A household uses the following flowing through a resistor R, a
electric appliances student set a circuit diagram, but
 Refrigerator of rating 400 W he did not succeed.
for ten hours per day.
 Two electric fans of rating
80 W each for twelve hours
per day.
Calculate the electricity bill of
the household for a month if
the cost per unit is Rs. 3.
19. Alloys are used in electrical Name the components which are
heating devices rather than pure not in correct position.
metals. Give one reason. 27. An electric iron has a rating of 750 W;
20. An electric heater has the ratings 200 V. Calculate:
2000 W, 220 V marked on it. What a) the current required.
should be the minimum rating of a b) the resistance of its heating
fuse wire that may be required for element.
safe use of this heater? c) energy consumed in 2 hours.
21. Write two characteristics of heater 28. Define Ohm's law. Draw graph
coil. between V and I.
22. A wire of resistance 40  is bent to
29. A piece of wire having resistance R is
form a circle. What is the
cut into four equal parts.
resistance between two
a) Compare the resistance of each
diametrically opposite ends?
part with the resistance of the
23. The resistance per meter of a wire
original wire.
is 10 Ω. If the resistivity of the
material of the wire is 50 x 10-8 Ωm, b) If the four parts are connected
find the area of cross – section of in parallel, compare the
the wire. equivalent resistance with the
24. With the help of a circuit diagram, resistance of the original wire.
deduce the equivalent resistance of 30. Describe an activity to study the
two resistors connected in series. factors on which resistance of
25. Two resistors are connected in conducting wires depends.
series as shown in the diagram.
Calculate:

13
Textbook Exercises

14