Current, Resistance, and Electromotive

Force
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Electric Current
 interaction of charges in motion from one region
to another
Conventional Current
 the choice or preferred current flow
Resistance
 the opposition offered by a body or a substance
to the passage through it of a steady electric
current
Electromotive Force
 the apparent force that drives a current around
an electrical circuit 
Resistivity
 the resistance offered by the material directly
proportional to the length of the conductor and
inversely to its cross-sectional area
Conductivity
 refers to the flow of electric current through a
material without any resistance
Voltage
 the potential difference between the terminals
of the circuit
Ohm’s Law
 named after George Simon Ohm
 the current is directly proportional to voltage
and inversely proportional to resistance
Power
 transfer of energy per unit time

Resistance (R) is directly proportional to the length

of the conductor and inversely to its cross-
sectional area.

OHM’S LAW
 I = for current; is the electron
flow which is measured in
ampere 
 Current represents the flow of electrons,  V = is denoted for voltage and
 however it flows from the positive terminal of has a unit of volt
the battery towards the negative terminal  R = resistance is measured in
 it is the common way of representing the flow ohms (Ω).
of current in an electric circuit, that is how it Voltage
perceive, thus it is called CONVENTIONAL V=IR
CURRENT, the choice or preferred current Resistance
flow, so the moving charges are considered R=V/I
positive, so it is assume that it is moving in the There are other factor and properties that affects
same direction with current. the flow of electric charges, and one of which is
 On the other hand, the opposite direction is the voltage and resistance aside from current. Its
actual flow of electrons, from the negative relationship is summarized and explained by Ohm’s
terminal to the positive terminal. Law, which is named after George Simon Ohm.
ENERGY AND POWER IN ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
Circuit elements can absorb or release power (from
or to the rest of the circuit)
P= VI P= power (in watts)
V= voltage
I= current
3. Multimeter
 a device that can measure voltage,
current, and resistance.

+ Power = absorbed into element

- Power = delivered from element 4. Galvanometer
 an instrument used for detecting small
ELECTRICAL SAFETY electric current by movements of a
 Don't work with exposed conductors carrying magnetic field of a magnetic needle or of
50 volts or more. a coil in a magnetic field
 Make sure electrical equipment is properly
connected, grounded, and in good working order.
 Extension cords may not be used as permanent
wiring and should be removed after temporary
use for an activity or event.
 Wear appropriate protective equipment when
doing any electrical work. EXPERIMENTS ON OHMIC AND NON-OHMIC
 Do not access, use, or alter any building’s MATERIALS
electrical service, unless you are specifically Both Ohmic conductors and resistors have linear
qualified and authorized to do so. relationship between voltage and current
 Avoid working in wet environments - this can
increase the risk of an electrical shock.
 Prevent electrical fires. Electrical fires may be
caused by excessive resistance that generates
heat from any of the following:
1. Too much current running through wiring
with absence of overcurrent protection
2. Faulty electrical outlets  Both non-Ohmic conductors and resistors do not
3. Poor wiring connections and old, damaged have a linear relationship between voltage and
wirings current

DEVICES FOR MEASURING CURRENTSS AND SAMPLE PROBLEMS

VOLTAGES 1. A current of 5A flows through a resistor for 30
1. Ammeter minutes. How many electrons flow through the
 a device used to measure current. resistor during the given time?
Given:
I = 5 A;
t = 30 mins = 1800 seconds
Find: Q=?
Solution:

2. Voltmeter/Voltage meter
 a device that is used to measure electric
potential difference between 2 points in
an electric circuit.
2. Calculate the total DC resistance of a 100m roll
of copper wire if the resistivity of
copper at

3. How much does it cost per week to operate a

stereo for 3 hours per day if it draws 16A on a
150-V line and the charge is Php 0.09 per kWh?

Solution: 
P = IV
P = (16A)(150V) = 2400 W = 2.4 kW

3h/day * 7days/week = 21h/week

2.4kW * 21h/week * Php 0.09