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ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Electricity:

• It is the form of energy on which the electrical appliances work.

• It can be converted to other forms of energy like light energy, sound energy etc
• It is basically movement of charged atomic particles called electrons.

Electric circuit:

• For electrical appliance to work, electricity should flow through it. This flow of electricity is
called as electric current.
• The path along which the electric current moves is called the electric circuit.
• Electric circuit is made up of
different components like
o Bulbs,
o Batteries
o Wires
o Switch. etc

• When the different electrical components are joined together without any gap in between,
it is called as closed circuit.
• An open circuit is one which has a gap among the different electrical components. The
electricity cannot flow through this circuit as electron flow is interrupted.

• Electricity flows in a circuit only when there is a

o Source of electrical energy, and
o A closed circuit
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• Circuit diagrams: Symbols and functions

Component Image Function Symbol

Electric cell It is the energy
– single source that provides
energy for electric
current to flow
through the circuit
Electric Same as above
Cells- two
(battery)
Switch It turns the current
on and off i.e., used
to open or close the
circuit
Bulb Converts the
electrical energy to
light energy

Wires- not They connect the

joined different
components of the
circuit. They also
provide a path for
current to flow
Wires – through the circuit.
joined

Ammeter Measures the

electric current
across the circuit

Voltmeter Measures the

potential difference
across the circuit

Fixed Offer fixed

Resistor resistance.

Variable Offers variable

Resistor resistance.
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CLASS WORKSHEET 1

Justify your answer

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CLASS WORKSHEET 2
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CLASS WORKSHEET 3

bulb
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HW WORKSHEET 1
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• Simple circuit diagram

Cell

• Arrangement of circuits:
• Circuits can be arranged in series or in parallel arrangement.

Series circuit Parallel circuit

In a series circuit, the electrical In a parallel circuit, the electrical circuit is
components are joined one after another branched and electrical components are
to form a single loop connected in each branch, parallel to each
other.

Bulbs in series
Electric current passes through single
path.
Current is same throughout the circuit
Disadvantage: If one component
breakdowns the whole circuit will burn
out
Bulbs in parallel
Electric current passes divides through all
branches.
Current splits, passes through branches and
then adds up again.
Advantage: Even if one component
breakdowns, other components will function
as each has its own independent circuit.

Electric current:

• The rate of flow of electric charge is called electric current i.e., the amount of charge
moving past any point in the circuit per unit time.
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o Current (I) = Charge (Q)

Time (T)

• Electric charge is the charged atomic particle – electron

• The electrons move from the negative terminal of the

cell, round the circuit and back to the positive terminal
of the cell.

• Thus, in a circuit, the current is due to the flow of

electrons.

• The electric cell in a circuit gives energy to the electrons

and pushes them around a circuit.

• REMEMBER: DIRECTION of electric current:

o Conventional current flows from +ve terminal to –ve terminal
o Electrons flow in a circuit from –ve terminal to +ve terminal
o Thus, electrons flow in opposite direction as the conventional current.

• Measurement of current
o The SI unit for electric current is ampere (A).
o Smaller currents are measured in milliamperes (mA).
1 A = 1000 mA
1 mA = 1/1000 A or 0.001A
o An ammeter is the instrument used to measure electric current. It is connected in
series in a circuit.
o The positive side of ammeter is connected to the positive terminal of the cell. The
negative side of the ammeter is connected to the negative terminal of the cell.

Potential difference and EMF:

• The two terms used interchangeably for voltage is potential difference (or voltage) and
Electromotive force E.M.F. Both are different.
• {EXPLANATION:
Current is continuous flow of electrons. But how to make electrons move?
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Example:
A pull back car: You press the car and pull back and then release, the car then races forward.
When you press the car- work is done. This work done is stored in the car as potential energy.
When car is released, the stored potential energy moves the car.

Similarly, electrons require energy to move around the circuit. An electrical source (such as
an electric cell) gives energy to the electrons and pushes them around the circuit.

How to create the continuous flow of electrons?

Example: Take two bottles, A and B, Bottle A filled half with water and bottle B filled ¾ with
water, join the two bottles by a connecting pipe. You will observe water flows from bottle B
to A till level of water is same in both. Once the levels are same, there is no flow of water.
Conclusion: Water flows only when there is difference in two levels of water

Similarly, electrons can move from one point to another only if there is a difference in the
potential of two points…. from a point of higher potential to a point of lower potential.
SO, NO POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE….NO CONTINOUS FLOW OF ELECTRONS. NO CURRENT.

How to maintain this potential difference?

In above example, an external device is connected to the above setup to maintain the
difference in the water level. The energy put in by the external device to maintain difference
in water level is like the EMF which maintains the potential difference. EMF is not a force but
energy supply by a device like battery or generator etc.}

• The work done by the electrical source in moving a unit charge around a complete circuit is
called the Electromotive force (e.m.f)
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• The work done in driving a unit charge through the component is called the potential
difference. (Or the amount of electrical energy converted to other forms when a unit charge
passes through the component.)

• EMF is always greater than the potential difference in a circuit. EMF is always between two
endpoints of circuit; potential difference is between any two points in circuit.
• EMF is the cause that makes two points have a potential difference. EMF is the cause and
potential difference is the result.

• Measurement of potential difference

o SI Unit of potential difference is volt (V)
o One volt of potential difference is one joule of energy needed to move one unit of
charge.
o A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring potential difference and e.m.f.
o It is connected in parallel to the circuit.
o Positive side of voltmeter is connected nearest to the positive terminal of the cell.
The negative side of voltmeter is connected nearest to the negative terminal of the
cell

o We measure potential difference when you connect voltmeter in parallel to a

component (bulb, resistor, etc)
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o We measure electromotive force when you connect voltmeter in parallel to a

battery

Resistance

• The ability of an electrical component to resist or limit the electron flow is called resistance
• The greater the resistance in a circuit, the lower the current. Hence R α 1
I
• The greater the resistance in a circuit, more should be the potential difference for current to
flow. Hence R α V

• Resistance is the ratio of potential difference across the component to the current flowing
through the component.
Resistance= Potential Difference (Voltage) (V)
Current flowing (I)

• Different conductors have different resistances.

• Resistance wires, made of nichrome have a higher resistance than copper wires.

• Factors affecting the resistance:

o The length of the component: Greater the length, greater is the resistance.
o Cross-sectional area of the component: Smaller the area, greater the resistance.
o Material of the component: Eg Silver is better conductor than iron, so silver has a
lower resistance.

• Measurement of Resistance
o The SI unit is ohm Ω

OHMS LAW

• In 1826, a German scientist, Georg Simmon Ohm, discovered the relationship between the
current flowing through a metal conductor and the potential difference across its ends of
the conductor
• We studied in above example, that water flows when there is a difference in the level of
water, so more the difference faster the flow of water. Similarly, more the potential
difference, faster the electron flow. Electron flow is nothing but current.
So,
Current (I) α Potential difference (V)
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• Consider that the pipe connecting the wire is made thinner, so thinner the wire, less water
will flow. Thinness is analogous to resistance offered. So greater the resistance, slower the
electron flow. Electron flow is nothing but current.
So,
Current (I) α 1 __
Resistance (R)

OHM’s law thus states that:

The strength of a current (I) is directly proportional to the potential difference (V) and inversely
proportional to the resistance of the circuit(R).

Resistors

• An electrical component that is specially made to have a certain resistance is called a

resistor.

Resistor in SERIES Resistor in PARALLEL

Each resistor in a series circuit slows When resistors are connected in
down the movement of electric charges parallel, there are more routes for
and hence reduces the current. current to flow. Therefore, overall
resistance decreases.

• Resistors that have one fixed resistance are called fixed resistors. Fixed resistors have
coloured bands on them. Each combination of coloured bands indicates the resistance in
ohms

• A variable resistor (or rheostat) allows resistances to be changed easily. When the
resistance changes, current through the circuit also changes

o There are different types of variable resistors:

▪ Sliding rheostat
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▪ Rotating rheostat

• Series & Parallel Circuits (and how to calculate the voltage, current, and resistance)

Series
Current The current throughout the
circuit is the same
Potential Difference - EMF The potential differences
across the components add up
to the e.m.f of the cell
EMF= V1+V2
Resistance RT=R1 +R2
Parallel
Currents in the branches add
up to the total current
IT = I1 +I2
The potential difference across
each branch is the same.
1/RT=1/R1 +1/R2

• Uses of rheostat

Rheostats have many uses. It is used in

o volume control on radios

o light dimmers
o speed controller of a remote-control car
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HW WORKSHEET 2
1. Define Electric circuit.

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2. What are the two types in which circuit can be connected. Explain.

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3. What are the different components of the circuit? List any 5 with symbols.

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4. Define Electric current. What is the SI unit of the current?

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5. Define Potential Difference. What is the SI unit of the potential difference?

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6. Define Electromotive force. What is the SI unit of the potential difference?

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7. What is the difference in electromotive force and potential difference?

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8. What is an ammeter. How is it connected in the circuit?

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9. What is a voltmeter. How is it connected in the circuit?

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10. Define Resistance. What is the SI unit of resistance?

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11. What are the different types of resistance?

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12. What are resistors?

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13. What are the coloured bands seen on resistors?

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14. What are variable resistors used for?

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15. How does current, potential difference and resistance change with series and parallel
circuits? Draw a table to present your answer.
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1. The S.I unit of charge is coulomb, C.

A. True

B. False

2. ___________ is the rate of flow of charge.

3. The S.I unit for potential difference is _______

4. Three identical bulbs are connected in series. If the current passing through the first bulb is 3 A,
then the current passing through the second bulb is 2 A and the current passing through the last
bulb is 1A.

A. True

B. False

5. Three bulbs are connected in series. If the potential difference across each bulb is the same, then
the resistance of each bulb must also be the same.

A. True

B. False

6. Three bulbs are connected in parallel. The potential difference across each bulb will be the same.
Even if the bulbs have different resistance.

A. True

B. False

7. Three bulbs are connected in parallel, if the currect through each bulb is the same, then the
resistance of the bulbs must be the same too.

A. True

B. False

8. An ammeter has _________ resistance.

9. A voltmeter has _________ resistance.

10. The resistance of an ohmic metal wire does not depend on

A. Its length.

B. Its material.

C. Its cross-sectional area.

D. The potential difference supplied across it.

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• Effect of electric current

An electric current can produce three types of effects

• Heating effect – A temporary change

• Magnetic effect- A temporary change
• Chemical effect- A permanent change

Heating effect of electric current

• When an electric current passes through a wire, the electrical energy is converted to
heat energy.
• Heating effect is produced when the electric current flows in resistance. The heating
effect occurs when electrons collide with the atoms as they pass through a conductor.
The electrons lose energy. The atoms in turn gain energy and start vibrating faster.Faster
vibrations mean a higher temperature.
• Thus, electric current passing through high resistance wire produces heat and
sometimes light.
• In heating appliances, heating element is made up of material with high melting point.eg
nichrome (alloy of nickel, iron and chromium)
• Eg Toaster, iron, heater, light bulbs (the filament is made of tungsten which has high
melting point. The resistance is increased by using very thin filament which is highly
coiled to increase the length thereby increasing the resistance)

Magnetic effect of electric current

• An electric current passing through a wire produces a temporary magnetic field.

• Making the current flow in a coil of wire called solenoid, creates a magnetic field
• Magnetic field is made stronger by
o Increasing the current flowing through the coil.
o Increasing the number of turns of wire in the coil.
o Winding the coil around an iron bar.
• Eg. Separating iron and steel scraps from other
metals
• Eg Telephone earpiece, loudspeakers
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Chemical effect of electric current

• Electric current passing through the electrolyte (a solution of ions and charged particles)
causes a chemical reaction that breaks the compound into elements. This process is called
electrolysis
o Eg used in separation of aluminium from its ore – bauxite

o Used in Electroplating: Object to be plated is attached to negative terminal, plating

material is attached to the positive terminal, both are dipped in electrolyte.

POWER

In the circuit, we saw that the battery gives the potential energy to electrons. In an appliance eg
lamp, this is changed into thermal energy o heat.

• Power is defined as amount of electrical energy changed into other forms of energy in one
second.
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔 (𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚)
• Power (W)= =
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔(𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆)
• Power (W)= Potential difference (V) x Current (A)
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• SI unit of power is therefore, Joules/second ( J/s )or Watt (W).

• Bigger units of Power:
o kW = kilowatt
o MW= Megawatt
o GW= Gigawatt
• 1 kW = 1000W
• 1MW= 1,000,000 W
• 1GW=1,000,000,000 W
• Power rating of an appliance tells us how quickly an appliance converts the electrical energy
into other forms of energy.
• Power stations generate energy in megawatts and gigawatts

Electrical energy usage in a home:

• Using the power formula, we can also find the electrical energy
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅
Power =
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏

Therefore,

Energy = Power x Time

Electrical hazards

Faulty or damaged electrical appliances may lead to following kinds of electrical hazards:

• Electrical Fires are caused by

o the use of electrical wires with damaged insulation,
o the overheating of cables,
o if appliances are damaged, [ideally the components in appliances resist the flow
of electric charge which ensures the current flowing is not large, but if appliance
is damaged, large currents flow resulting heat followed by melting of insulation
which may cause fire.]

• Electrocution: It is a condition when large currents pass through a person’s body which
can be fatal. This can happen by
• touching wet electrical appliances,
• touching the metal casing of damaged appliances,
• pulling out the plug without switching off the appliance.

Example of electrocution:

• In a damaged kettle, the wire at high potential is disconnected from the

heating coil and touches the metal casing
• Metal being good conductor, allows flow of current through it. Now there is
large potential difference between the ground and kettle
• When a person touches the metal casing, the current flows through the
body into the ground.
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Precautions to avoid electrocution

• Every time switch off the appliance before pulling out the plug from socket.
• Electrical gadgets should not be used in wet places. (Water is good
conductor of electricity)
• Never touch appliances with wet hand
• Avoid getting water into sockets of appliances
• Keep a check on damaged wires and replace them timely.
• Never overload an electrical socket
• Avoid inserting any item in electrical sockets.

Safety measures taken in household circuits:

To better handle the large currents in household circuits, following three safety measures are ideally
taken:

• Installation of Earth wire:

Three types of electric wires are found gathered in single electric cable in household
appliances. The three metal
pins in the electric plug
connect the three wires to
household circuit. They are:
o Live wire(brown) at high
voltage usually 240V
o Neutral wire(blue) is at 0 V;
completes the circuit
o Earth wire (yellow or green)
is at 0V; is connected to the
ground or Earth. The Earth wire
connects to the metal casing.
Any electric current which
leaks into the metal casing will
be carried away from appliance
to the ground, thus preventing
electrocution.
o Symbol of earth connection
in circuit diagram:
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• Installation of Fuse:
o Fuses are connected to the
circuit of electrical appliance
which melts when large
current flows through it thus
breaking the circuit and
preventing further electric
current flow. When fuse
wire melts, we say fuse is
blown.
o Fuses are connected to the live wire.
o Once blown, fuses need to be replaced after the electrical fault is rectified.

• Installation of Circuit breaker:

o Each circuit breaker is a switch like lever connected to different parts of household
circuit.
o Like fuses, circuit breakers also break the circuit when too large current flows
through it i.e., it trips and thus preventing further electrical damage.
o Circuit Breakers unlike fuses do not need to be replaced after the electrical fault is
rectified. The lever just needs to be switched on again.

Conserving Electricity

• Switch off the appliances when not in use.

• Use energy efficient and energy saving appliances
• Make sure the electrical appliances are running at most efficient level so less energy is
consumed for its working. E.g., cleaning air filters of air conditioners regularly, making sure
the refrigerator doors are tight.
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FORMULAS:

• Current (I) = Charge (Q)

Time (T)
• 1 A = 1000 mA
• 1 mA = 1/1000 A or 0.001A
• One volt- one joule/one coulomb
• Current (I) = Potential Difference (V)
Resistance (R)
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔 (𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚)
• Power = =
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔(𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆)
• Power (W)= Potential difference (V) x Current (A)
• 1 kW = 1000W
• 1MW= 1,000,000 W
• 1GW=1,000,000,000 W

NUMERICALS

1. An electric heater has a power rating of 1.2kW. How much does it cost to use the oven for 2
hours? Assume electricity costs 30 cents per kWh.

(Hint: Calculate energy consumed and multiply by rate)

2. If the cost of 1 kWh of electricity is 50 cents, how much does it cost to run 2400 W air
conditioner for 4 hours.

(Hint: Calculate energy consumed and multiply by rate)

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3. A 1 kW immersion coil took 5 minutes to heat up the water in a bowl. How much electrical
energy was changed into thermal energy?

4. Jane has bought a new 2400W electric kettle. What is the electric current that will flow
through the electric kettle if it is use with voltage of 240 V?
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HOME WORKSHEET

1. Mention the effects of electric current with examples.

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2. Complete the following table on effects of electric current.

Effect of electric current Nature of change- Temporary or Permanent

3. Define Power. State its unit

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4. What is a fuse, how does it work?

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5. Explain why fuse wire is connected to the live wire?

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6. What is the purpose of Earth wire?

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CLASS WORKSHEET

1. Fuse is connected to ____________wire in a circuit

2. The voltage of
a. Live wire is at ____________
b. Neutral wire is at __________
c. Earth wire is at ____________

3. Fill in the blanks

1 KW= ____________W

1 MW= _____________W

1 GW= ______________W

4.

5.
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6.

7.
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8.

9.

.
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10.

Answers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
live 240V.0V,0V 1000W, D B B C D B B
1,000,000W
1,000,000,000W