ELECTRO MOTIVE FORCE,TERMINAL VOLTAGE & INTERNAL

RESISTANCE :

An electric cell is a device in which a constant potential difference is maintained

between the two conductors by means of chemical reaction. In a cell, chemical
energy is changes into electrical energy, when it is in use.

E M F: When cell is in open circuit, no current is drawn from the cell, the
difference in potential between the two electrodes of a cell is called its EMF.

EMF of cell: It is defined as the Work done is moving the unit charge to move
around the circuit completely. If W is the WD and q is the unit charge,
Then emf of a cell is given ε=W/q -----------------(1)

Terminal Voltage:
When a current is drawn from a cell (closed circuit), the potential
difference between the two electrodes, is known as TERMINAL
VOLTAGE.

If W’ is the WD in carrying the charge outside the cell, then

terminal voltage V=W’/q ---------------------(2).
 From equs 1 & 2, W > W’ by an amount w, which is the WD in
carrying the charge inside the cell. Or W= W’ + w ----------(3)

w/q is the voltage drop(v) in the cell.

Divide equ 3 by q, we get, W/q= W’/q + w/q, ε=V+v or

V= ε – v.
If a larger current is drawn from a cell, more is the
voltage drop, lesser is the terminal voltage(V) , hence V
always depends on the amount of current drawn from the cell.
E M F of a cell TERMINAL VOLTAGE of a cell
It is a WD in moving a unit +ve It is a WD in moving a unit +ve charge
charge in complete cycle outside a cell
Independent of current drawn from the Depends on the current drawn from the
cell cell

INTERNAL RESISTANCE OF A CELL(r)

The resistance offered by the electrolyte inside the cell to the
flow of current is called internal resistance(r).
If ‘r’ is the internal resistance and ‘i’ be the amount of current
drawn from the cell, then the voltage drop is v = i r.
Factors affecting internal resistance(r) of a cell:
i) Surface area of the electrodes: α r
ii) Distance between the electrodes α (1/r)
iii) Nature & concentration of the electrolyte α r
 iv) Temperature of the electrolyte α (1/r)

RESISTORS in Series :
In when resistors are connected in series combination the
current through them is same (Varying Potential difference)
Rs = R1+R2+R3+…
RESISTORS in Parallel:
In when resistors are connected in parallel combination, then
Potential difference through them is same (Varying current)
1/Rp = 1/R1+1/R2+1/R3+…
Resistors in SERIES: Let the three resistors R1,R2,R3 are
connected in series as shown below. We know in series
combination, V= V1+V2+V3.

V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2, V3 = IR3.

The voltage drop across R1 resistors is V1
The voltage drop across R2 resistors is V2,
The voltage drop across R3 resistors is V3.
As per Ohms law, V= IR, V= V1+V2+V3 = IR1+IR2+IR3
V= I(R1+R2+R3), Rs= R1+R2+R3.If n resistors are connected in
series, then Rs =R1+R2+R3+……+Rn.
Resistance in Parallel: Let three resistors R1,R2,R3 are
connected in series as shown below. We know in series
combination, If the resistance are in parallel, the potential
difference across each is the same, but the current is not. Then,
I =I1+I2+I3, Potential is the same.

I1= V/R1, I2= V/R2, I3= V/R3. I = I1+I2+I3, I= V/R1+

V/R2+V/R3,
I = V(1/ R1 +1/ R2 +1/ R3), I = V/RP, Where
1/RP=(1/R1+1/R2+1/R3)
Note: If only 2 resistors are connected in parallel,
Then 1/RP =1/R1+1/R2, or RP=(R1R2)/R1+R2.
RESISTORS IN combination:
Let us consider the following two networks where the
resistances are connected in series - parallel combinations.
The first network can be simplified by replacing the parallel
combination of R2 and R3 with its equivalent resistance. This is
then in series with R1.
RP = (R1R2)/R1+R2, RS=R1+RP
In the second network, the combination of R2 and R3 in series
forms a simple parallel combination with R1.
Rs= R2+R3, then 1/RP =(1/R1)+(1/Rs), RP=R1Rs/(R1+RS).
Note: In combination of Parallel & series circuits, first we calculate
the total resistance due to Parallel & then add them with the
resistances in series circuits.
Note: Work out all the examples numerical.
Note: Work out all the examples numerical. We will do the
exercise numerical in class.