You are on page 1of 50

Science Form 3

Unit 7 Electricity

smkbpj(a) yschow

7.1

ELECTROSTATICS

smkbpj(a) yschow

Electrostatics
Electrostatics is the study of static electrical charges. Electrical charges are produced in material through friction.

smkbpj(a) yschow

Example of phenomena happens as a result of electrical charges


When a plastic pen is rubbed with some wool, the pen will attract dust and small pieces of paper. When you clean a mirror or glass window with a dry cloth on a hot, dry day, dust and fine threads will stick to the mirror or glass. When you comb your hair with a plastic comb, the plastic comb may pull against your hair. When you remove your nylon or terylene shirt on a dry day, you will hear a crackling sound.
smkbpj(a) yschow 4

Types of electrical charges and their properties All substances are made up of atoms. An atom contains a. protons that are positively charged b. neutrons that are neutral (do not have charges) c. electrons that are negatively charged and orbit around the nucleus of an atom.
smkbpj(a) yschow 5

Types of electrical charges and their properties There are two types of electrical charges a. positive charges and b. negative charges A neutral material has the same number of protons and electrons.

smkbpj(a) yschow

Types of electrical charges and their properties


When two different materials are rubbed together, electrons will be transferred from one material to another. a. The material that loses electrons will become positively charged. b. The material that receives electrons will become negatively charged.

Rub the plastic rod with fur to negatively charge the rod. Rub the glass rod with silk to positively charge the rod.
smkbpj(a) yschow 7

Electrostatic Force
The effects of electrostatic force: a. Object with same type of charges repel (push part) each other. b. Object with different type of charges attract each other The strength of the electrostatic force depends on the quantity of charges that are present in the object.

Objects will repel each other if they have the same charge

Objects will attract each other if they have different charges

smkbpj(a) yschow

Producing and detecting electrical charges


Table below shows the type of electrical charges that produced when two different materials are rubbed against each other.
Negatively charged Polythene Wool Ebonite Silk Amber Positively charged Wool Cellulose acetate Animal fur Glass Animal fur
smkbpj(a) yschow 9

Electroscope
An electroscope is a device that is used to detect the electrical charges. An electroscope consists of a metal cap and a gold leaf. The gold leaf is attached to the end of the metal rod. When a charged substance is brought close to the metal cap, the gold leaf repels from the metal plate.
smkbpj(a) yschow 10

Study electrostatic ~ Van de Graaff generator


The Van de Graaff generator is a highly efficient electrostatic generator. It produces electrical charges which are stored on the metal dome.

smkbpj(a) yschow

11

Natural phenomena related to electrostatic


Lightning a. Lightning is an electric discharge. b. During a thunderstorm, electrical charges are produced when air that flows quickly rubs against the rain clouds.
smkbpj(a) yschow 12

c. Negative charges build up at the bottom of the cloud. d. The top of the cloud becomes positively charged. e. The Earth's surface and the buildings underneath the clouds are positively charged. f. Lightning occurs i. when the electrons that collect at the bottom of the cloud move to the positively charged areas of the cloud. ii. when sparks jump between clouds and the surface of the Earth.
smkbpj(a) yschow 13

Phenomena related to electrostatic


I. Petroleum tankers
Petroleum tankers may become charged as a result of friction. i. between the tankers and the surrounding air on a dry day. ii. between the exhaust gases and the exhaust pipe. These charges can heat up the tanker and result in an explosion. An iron chain is usually hung from the tanker to enable the electrical charges to flow to the ground.

smkbpj(a) yschow

14

Phenomena related to electrostatic


II. Aeroplanes Aeroplanes become charged as they fly in the air. The body of the aeroplane comes in contact with the hot, dry air. The tyres of aeroplanes are made of carbon and this enables the charges to flow to the ground during landing. Aeroplanes are also fitted with strips of metal conductor to enable charges to flow to the ground during landing

smkbpj(a) yschow

Static Discharge Reels

15

7.2

ELECTRICITY

smkbpj(a) yschow

16

Source of electrical energy


Electrical is generated from two main source: a. electric cells, b. generators. An electric generator converts kinetic energy and potential energy into electrical energy. Electric cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy.

smkbpj(a) yschow

17

Examples of electric cells


1. 2. 3. 4. 5. dry cells, mercury cells, lithium cells, nickel- cadmium cells, lead acid accumulator.

smkbpj(a) yschow

18

7.3

Electric Current, Voltage and Resistance


smkbpj(a) yschow 19

Current
There are two forms of electricity i. electrical charges (electrostatic) ii. electric current. Electrostatic charges are stationary and have limited use. Electric current is the flow of electrons through a circuit and it can defined as the rate of flow of charges.

smkbpj(a) yschow

20

Measuring electric current


The quantity of electric current is measured using an ammeter. An ammeter has to be connected in series in an electric circuit. The S.I. unit for electric current is amperes (A), While measuring electric current, a. the positive terminal of the ammeter must be connected to the positive terminal of the electrical supply. b. the negative terminal of the ammeter must be connected to the negative terminal of the electrical supply.
smkbpj(a) yschow 21

Voltage
The voltage ( potential difference ) between two points is the energy needed for the electrical charges to flow between the two points

smkbpj(a) yschow

22

Measuring voltage
The potential difference (voltage) is measured with a voltmeter. The S.I. unit for voltage is volts (V). A voltmeter is always connected in parallel across the electrical components in a circuit. The positive and negative terminals of the voltmeter are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the electrical component respectively.

smkbpj(a) yschow

23

Resistance
Resistance is the property of a substance that opposes the flow of electric current through it. Resistance influences the size of the electric current that flows in a circuit. The S.I. unit for resistance is ohms (), named after Georg Simon Ohm (1787- 1854), a German physicist.
smkbpj(a) yschow 24

7.4

The Relationship between Current, Voltage and Resistance


smkbpj(a) yschow 26

Ohms Law
Ohm's law states that the current ( I ) that flows through a metal conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference or voltage (V) across it, if the temperature remains constant.

Ohm's law is expressed in the following formula:

V is the voltage in volt, V. I is the current in ampere, A. R is the resistance in ohm, .

7.5

Electric Circuits

smkbpj(a) yschow

29

Electrical circuits and components


The symbols of electrical component make it easier for us to draw electric .

An electric circuit is a complete pathway formed from connecting wires and other electrical components that allow the flow of electric current. A complete electric circuit consists of : a. an electrical source such as dry cells, b. connecting wires such as copper wires, c. a switch that controls current flow, d. other electrical components such as ammeters, voltmeters, resistors or bulb

Series circuits and parallel circuits


Electrical components in a circuit can be connected in series or parallel.

Electrical components in a series circuit are connected one after another in one path

Electrical components in a parallel circuit are connected in several path.

7.6

Series circuits

smkbpj(a) yschow

33

The advantages of a series circuit


One switch can control all the electrical appliances, such as fans and lights, in the circuit. A battery that supplies more power can be built from cells connected in series. Example, car battery. When more cells are connected in series, the voltage across the circuit and the current increases.

The disadvantages of a series circuit


If one of the bulbs fuses or burns out, the other bulbs will not light up because the current flows along one path only. Each bulb in a circuit does not receive the full voltage from the electrical source. If more bulb are added, the bulbs will become dimmer. The current that flows in a circuit decreases if more electrical devices are connected in series.

7.7

Parallel circuits

smkbpj(a) yschow

36

The advantages of a parallel circuit


o If one bulb fuses, the other bulbs in the parallel circuit can still light up because current can flow through the other complete paths. o Each bulb receives the full voltage from the electrical source and has the same brightness. o If more bulbs are added in parallel, the brightness of the bulbs will remain the same. o Electrical appliances are controlled individually through their own switches. o Cells connected in parallel supply energy for a longer time compared to one cell of the same voltage.

The disadvantages of parallel circuits


o Each electrical appliance is controlled by its own switch. It is not suitable for use in places, like a large hall, that have many lights and fans. o If too many resistors are connected in parallel, a high current flows through the main circuit. This is dangerous as it may cause fires.

Similarities of series circuit and parallel circuit

Differences of series circuit and parallel circuit

Differences of series circuit and parallel circuit

7.8

Magnetism

smkbpj(a) yschow

42

Magnetic Fields
The area surrounding a magnet where magnetic forces act is known as a magnetic field. The pattern of a magnetic field consists of curved lines of forces called magnetic field lines

Characteristics of the magnetic field lines


1. begin from the north pole and end at the south pole. 2. do not cut across each other. 3. from the same pole repel each other. 4. are strongest at the poles of a magnet. 5. is closer if the magnetic field is stronger.

The compass
The compass is useful: a. in finding directions as it always points towards the magnetic north pole , b. for navigation by sailors and pilots, c. In finding and mapping magnetic fields. d. To detect metal pipes hidden underground. The compass has a magnetised needle that fixed at its centre of gravity

7.9

ELECTROMAGNETISM

smkbpj(a) yschow

46

Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is the combination of an electric field and a magnetic field and their interaction to produce a force. force The magnet produced when current flows through a conductor is known as an electromagnet. An electromagnet is a temporary magnet magnet. The direction of the magnetic field is determined by the direction of the flow of the current.
smkbpj(a) yschow 47

The magnetic field of a straight wire carrying electric current


The direction of the magnetic field through a straight wire is determined by : a. Maxwell's corkscrew rule b. The right- hand grip rule.

smkbpj(a) yschow

48

Maxwell's corkscrew rule


If a cockscrew is turned clockwise, the direction of the screw represents the direction of the magnetic field.

smkbpj(a) yschow

49

Right-hand grip rule


When a straight wire is gripped with the right hand, the thumb points in the same way as the current. Your curved fingers show the direction of the magnetic field

smkbpj(a) yschow

50

You might also like