electricity: form of energy resulting from the existence

of charged particles, either statically as an accumulation

of electric charges or dynamically as an electric current

electric charge (Q): property of matter (carried by the

subatomic particles) that causes them to experience
attraction/repulsion between each other inside an
electromagnetic field

electric current (I): flow of an electric charge across

any cross-section of a conductor ie. I (in amperes A) =
Q (in coulombs C)/t (in seconds), where 1 C is the
electric charge carried by 6.25 x 10^18 electrons

electron: negatively charged subatomic particle

constituting an electric current, having a negative
charge of 1.6 x 10^ -19 C

ammeter: device with low resistance, connected in

series through which it measures the electric current in
an electric circuit
- connected in series because all components connected
in series experience the same electric current

electrical conductor: material which allows an electric

current through it

electric circuit: continuous and closed path of an

electric current (which stops flowing if the electric
circuit is broken) in the direction opposite to that of the
flow of electrons, having a plug key/switch and
electrical component(s) with connecting wires

electric potential difference (V):

(a) difference in electric pressure between two points in
an electric circuit, producing an electric current;
(b) work done to move a unit charge from one point to
the other ie. V (in volts) = work W (in joules J)/Q

battery: container having at least one cell whose

chemical energy produces a potential difference across
its terminals (ends) even when no electric current is
drawn from it, and is expended to maintain the electric
current

voltmeter: device connected in parallel to two points

between which it measures the electric potential
difference in an electric circuit
- connected in parallel because all objects connected in
parallel experience the same potential difference

nichrome: alloy of nickel, chromium, manganese and

iron

resistance (R):
(a) property of a conductor to resist (thus retard) an
electric current through it, due to the attraction of the
atoms among which the electrons move;
(b) non-zero constant for the conductor at a given
temperature
good conductor < resistor < poor conductor <
insulator, in amount of resistance for conductors of the
same size

Ohm’s Law:
V/I = R (in ohms/symbol), provided a constant
temperature

variable resistance: component for changing the

electric current in an electric circuit without changing
the voltage source

rheostat: device for changing the resistance in an

electric circuit

The electric current in an electric circuit differs for

different electrical components due to their different
resistances.
Small quantities of electric current are expressed in
milliampere (1 mA = 10^-3 A) and micro ampere (1
uA = 10^-6).
An electric current flows from the positive terminal
of a cell to its negative terminal in an electric circuit.

1) On what factors does the resistance of a conductor

depend?

2)
a. Write the relationship between the electric current
flowing through a conductor and each factor on which
the resistance depends.
b. Using the relationship between the electric current
flowing through a conductor and each factor on which
the resistance depends, derive the relationship between
the resistance of a conductor and each factor on which
the resistance depends.

3) What is the electric resistivity of a conductor, its

symbol and SI unit?

4) Write the fundamental difference between the

resistance of a conductor and the electrical resistivity of
the conductor.

5) Write the following materials’ resistivity ranges and

whether they are conductors or insulators.
a. metals and alloys (who has more resistivity?)
b. materials like rubber and glass

6) State the main application of

a. alloys (why?)
b. tungsten
c. copper and aluminium

1) In how many ways are resistors joined together?

Define them and draw their respective schematic
diagrams.

2) What happens to the value of the electric current in

an electric circuit when multiple resistors are connected
in series in the circuit?

3) State the relationship between the potential

difference across the series combination of multiple
resistors in an electric circuit and the potential
difference of each individual resistor.