Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
Schools Division Office of Bulacan
San Miguel National High school

General Physics 2
Second Semester - Quarter 3
Ohm’s Law
Current, Resistivity and Resistance

ACTIVITY SHEET

Name:______________________________________________________

Grade and Section:___________________________________________

Date of submission: ___________________________________________

 What’s New

ELECTRIC CURRENT AS A CURATIVE METHOD

Many animals like the torpedo fish uses electricity to shock prey and fight
predators. During the ancient times, they were used as cure and pain reliever.
Considering its ability to bring numbness to other fish that it hits, Ancient Greeks
and Romans used the torpedo fish as anesthesia during childbirths and operations.
They placed electric rays on their patients to cure headaches, gout, knee joints and
cervical spine.

Nowadays, we no longer rely on animals like the torpedo fish to provide pain
relief. Doctors prescribe medicines as pain killers and Anesthesiologist injects
anesthesia to help patients manage pain during operations.

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 What is It

Lesson
1 OHM’S LAW

In 1827, George Simon Ohm experimentally established the relationship

between electric current (I) , resistance (R) and potential difference (V) in an
electric circuit. He found out that the current passing through a conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference and inversely proportional to the resistance
of the conductor. This statement is called Ohm’s law and may be applied to the
whole circuit or to a particular part of a circuit only.

In equation form, it can be expressed as

V
I= R
Where:
I is the current measured in ampere (A)
V is the potential difference measured in volts (V)
R is the resistance measured in ohm (Ω)

Sample Problem 1

A heating appliance has a heating element with a resistance of 9.6 Ω . What is

the current in the element when it is connected to 220 V?
Given:
R = 9.6 Ω
V= 220V
I=?
Solution:
Using the equation V
I=
R
220V
I=
9.6 Ω
I= 23 A
Sample Problem 2

What is the resistance of an appliance if 110 V produces a current of 4.0 A?

Given:
I = 4.0A
V= 110V
R=?
Solution:
Deriving the equation V
I=
R
We get, V
R=
I
R= 110V
4.0 A
R= 28 Ω

2
OHMIC AND NON-OHMIC MATERIALS

Ohmic materials are those having constant resistance and said to obey Ohm’s
law. The resistance of an ohmic material remains the same despite the varying
current and voltage. The current and voltage are directly proportional to each other
thus there is a linear relationship between them and has a straight line I-V graph .
On the other hand, materials with a complicated voltage and current
relationship are considered non-ohmic. Non-ohmic materials have I-V graph that is
curve with gradients showing how resistance change as current changes. They do
not follow Ohm’s law which means the resistance of the material varies due to the
varying current and voltage.

Lesson
2
CURRENT, RESISTIVITY, AND RESISTANCE

ELECTRICAL CURRENT

Electrical current is defined as the rate at which charge flows or the amount of
charge passing through any point in a conductor per unit time. A large current
moves a larger amount of charge in a small time while small current moves a small
amount of charge over a long period of time.

In equation form, electric current is defined to be

q
I=
t
where q is the amount of charge passing through a given area in coulombs (C) and t
is the time in seconds (s) . The SI unit for current is Ampere (A) that is named after
Andre Marie Ampere who was the first to describe current as a continuous flow of
electricity along a wire. He also founded electrodynamics which is the study of
charges in motion.

Note that:
C
1 A= 1
s

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Sample Problem

A battery uses a current of 6.7 A for 5.0 h. (a) How much charge passes
through the battery? (b) How many electrons flow through the wire for that given
time interval?
Given:
I = 6.7 A
t= 5.0 h ( converting it to seconds, we get 1.8 x104 s)
q=?
e-=?

Solution:
(a) Deriving the equation I=
q
t
we get q= It
q= (6.7 A )(1.8 x104 s)
q= 1.2x105 C

(b) Knowing that 1e– has a charge of -1.602 x10-19 C

5 1e-___
1.2x10 C=
1.602 x10-19 C
= 7.5x1023 electrons

CONVENTIONAL CURRENT VERSUS ELECTRON CURRENT

In the early nineteenth century, the terms positive and negative charges were
introduced by Benjamin Franklin. He defined current as the flow of positive charges
from positive to negative terminals. It was the convention chosen during that time
and is called conventional current. But upon the discovery of electron by J.J
Thomson year 1897 it’s been known to us that it is really a flow of electrons from
the negative to the positive terminals and we call it electron current. Although
proven wrong, Franklin’s convention had been in used for hundreds of years so
appeared in many references. The two currents are equivalent to each other.

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DIRECT CURRENT VERSUS ALTERNATING CURRENT

Direct current is the flow of electric charge in one direction, while alternating
current is the flow of electric charge that changes directions periodically. Cells and
batteries that are commonly used in calculators and wall clocks supply a direct cur-
rent. Alternating current on the other hand is used by commercial establishments
and households and is supplied by AC generators or electric companies.

ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE

Electrical resistance, or simply resistance, is an electric property that opposes

the flow of electric current. The SI unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω), named after
Georg Simon Ohm. Basically all materials offer resistance but some can resist the
flow of current more than what other materials can. Metals are known to be good
conductors and thus have low resistance while insulators like rubber and wood
have high resistance.
To reduce current flow in circuits, resistors are commonly used. Resistors are
devices used to regulate the amount of current passing through a material. The
resistance of a resistor can be fixed or variable. Example of resistors with variable
resistances are potentiometers and thermistors while some examples of resistor
with fixed resistances are carbon resistors and metalized film resistor.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE RESISTANCE OF A UNIFORM WIRE

The following are the factors affecting the resistance of a uniform wire.

a. Cross-Sectional Area– The Resistance (R) and cross sectional area (A) of a
wire are inversely proportional to each other. Which means, as the
cross-sectional area increases, the resistance will decrease. Thus, a thick wire
has less resistance compared to a thin one. Using the road analogy, the wider
the road, the more vehicles can pass through or the thicker the wire, the more
charges can flow.

b. Length- The length of a wire (L) is directly proportional to resistance (R). A

longer wire has greater resistance compared to a shorter wire of the same
material and cross-sectional area. Using the road analogy, the longer the road,
the more travel delay is experienced. This is also the reason why some
appliances offer poor performance when used with a long extension. Long
extensions offer greater resistance compared to a shorter one.

c. Material of the Wire– The effect of the kind of material on the resistance of the
wire is given by the electrical resistivity (ρ) which is the reciprocal of electrical
conductivity. Gold, silver and copper are good conductors thus have small
resistivities while glass, rubber and wood are insulators with large resistivities.
Semiconductors on the other hand have intermediate resistivities because
of their properties that may fall between that of a conductor and of an insulator.

5
 Given below is the electrical resistivity ρ of some materials

Resistivities of some materials at 20˚ C

Conductors Insulators
Gold 2.44x10-8 Ω.m Glass 109-1012 Ω.m
Copper 1.68x10-8 Ω.m Hard Rubber 1013-1015Ω.m
Silver 1.59x10-8 Ω.m Wood 3x1010 Ω.m
Tungsten 5.6 x10-8 Ω.m Semiconductors
Mercury 98x10-8 Ω.m Carbon (Graphite) (3-60) x10-5 Ω.m
Nichrome 100x10-8 Ω.m Germanium (1-500) x10-3 Ω.m
Iron 9.71x10-8 Ω.m Silicon 0.1-60 Ω.m

The effect of the length, cross-sectional area, and material on resistance

may be written as
ρL
R=
A

Where: R is the resistance in Ω

ρ is the resistivity in Ω. m
L is the length in m
A is the cross-sectional area in m2

Sample Problem 1

What is the electric resistance of a silver wire 0.40 m long with a diame-
ter of 1.5 mm?
Given:
L = 0.40 m
d= 1.5 mm ( using A= πr2, we get 1.8 x10-6 m2)
ρ=1.59 x10-8 Ω.m
R=?
Solution:
Using the equation R= ρL
A
R= (1.59 x10-8 Ω.m)( 0.40 m)
1.8 x10-6 m2
R= 3.5 x10-3 Ω

Sample Problem 2

What should be the diameter of a 1.20m-long tungsten wire to have

resistance of 0.32 Ω?

6
Given:
L = 1.20 m
ρ= 5.6 x10-8 Ω.m (resistivity of tungsten)
R=0.32Ω
Solution:
Deriving the equation
ρL
R=
A
ρL
we get A=
R
(5.6 x10-8 Ω.m)( 1.20 m)
A=
0.32Ω
A= 2.1 x10-7 m2

Deriving the equation A=πr2 ,

we get r2= A
π
r = 2.1x10-7 m2
2

3.14
r= 2.6x10-4m

Knowing that diameter is 2r or twice the radius , we get

(diameter) d = 5.2x10-4 m

What’s More

Directions: Solve the following problems and answer the given questions. Write
your answers on the space provided.

Independent Activity 1

A device is connected to a 210 V source. How much current is flowing if it has

a resistance of (a) 12 Ω ? (b) 24 Ω? (c) 36 Ω?

Independent Assessment 1

How is the changing resistance affects the current in the device? Explain.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

7
Independent Activity 2

A current of 2.5 A exists in a wire for 6.0 min. (a) How much total charge
passes by at a given point in the circuit during the time and how many electrons
would there be? (b) How many electrons would there be if the steady current is
increased to 3.0 A?

Independent Assessment 2

How is the changing current affects the number of electrons passing in a given
point? Explain.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Independent Activity 3

Suppose you want to use a glass rod as an insulator. The rod’s diameter is 9
mm and its resistivity at 20 ° C is 1 x109 Ω-m. How long must the rod be to offer a
resistance of 9.1 x 1010 Ω?

Independent Assessment 3

Suppose you want to lessen the amount of current that can pass through the
glass rod. Will it be better to shorten or lengthen the wire? Explain?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write your answer on the space
provided.

1. Describe the relationship among electric current, resistance and potential

difference.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. Differentiate direct and alternating current.

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. Differentiate ohmic and non-ohmic resistors.

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

4. What are the factors affecting the resistance of a wire? Explain the effect of
each on the wire’s resistance.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

What Can I Do

A graphite pencil is commonly used as a variable resistor in Physics activities.

Its ability to conduct electricity is because of the aromaticity or the delocalization of
its electrons in the carbon layers. Considering the factors affecting the resistance of
wire, which of the three lead pencils below has the greatest and the least
resistance? (carbon-graphite has a ρ equal to 1 x 10-5 Ω.m )

Pencil Graphite’s diameter Graphite’s length

1 4.50 mm 18.00 cm
2 6.40 mm 14.00 cm
3 5.20 mm 16.50 cm

Pencil Resistance Rank

1
2
3

9
 Assessment

Directions: Read the statements below. Choose the letter of the correct answer and
write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is true about Ohm’s law?

a. It gives us the relationship among wire’s resistance and the factors affecting
it.
b. It gives us the relationship among current and the amount of electrons that
passes through the material.
c. It gives us the relationship among current, potential difference and
resistance in a circuit.
d. It gives us the relationship among the capacitance of a parallel plate and the
plates’ distance from each other.

2. Electric current refers to the rate of flow of charge. How is current related to the
number of electrons passing through a point on a given time?
a. directly proportional c. square-direct proportion
b. inversely proportional d. square-inverse proportion

3. The material’s opposition to the flow of electric current is called “electrical

resistance”. What is the SI unit of resistance?
a. ampere c. ohm
b. coulomb d. volts

4. Which of the following statements is true about non-ohmic resistors?

a. They have a curve graph and do not obey Ohm’s law.
b. They obey ohm’s law and have a changing resistance.
c. They do not obey ohm’s law and have a linear graph.
d. They have a constant resistance and have a linear graph.

5. Which of the following statements is true about alternating current?

a. It travels in one direction only.
b. It has a changing direction at a changing interval.
c. It could be supplied by cell batteries.
d. It could be supplied and distributed by electric companies.

6. It is the physical property of a material that determines the ease by which elec-
tric current can flow freely?
a. Electrical conductivity c. Electrical resistance
b. Electrical potential difference d. Electric capacitance

7. “The wider the road, the more cars can pass through”. Which of the following
factors affecting the resistance of a wire fits for the given analogy?
a. cross-sectional area c. material of the wire
b. length of the wire d. the material covering the wire

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8. How much charge passes through a wire if 15.0 A of current flows in 5.0 s?
a. 3.0 C c. 0.33 C
b. 75 C d. 375 C

9. How much resistance is present if 60.0A current flows with 220V potential
difference?
a. 3.67 Ω c. 0.273 Ω
b. 1,320 Ω d. 0.061 Ω

10. What is the electric resistance of a silver wire 0.80 m long with a radius of 0.75
mm if the resistivity of silver is 1.59x10-8 Ω.m?
a. 7.1 x10-3 Ω c. 9.5x10-9 Ω
b. 1.7x10-8 Ω d. 3.8x107 Ω

Additional Activities

Color Code for Resistors

The resistance of a resistor is indicated at its exterior or given in the form of a

color codes. There are five or even six color bands in a resistor. The first three
bands represent the first three digits of the resistance; the fourth and fifth bands
are the power of 10 multiplier and the manufactured tolerance respectively while the
sixth band as the temperature coefficient of resistance.

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Example:

What is the resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance of a resistor

if its color code is red-violet-yellow-black-gold-brown?
Red 2
Violet 7
Yellow 4
Black x100
Gold ±5%
Brown 100 ppm

Based on its color code, the resistance of the resistor is 274 x10 0 ±5% and
its temperature coefficient of resistance is 100 ppm/K

Directions: Answer the following questions related to resistors’ resistances based

on their color codes. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What color code corresponds to a resistance of the following resistors:

a. 234x105 ± 10% with a temperature coefficient of resistance equal to
25ppm?
b. 578x104 ± 5% with a temperature coefficient of resistance equal to 50ppm?

2. What is the resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance of the

following resistors:
a. yellow-blue-gray-orange-red-red
b. violet-gray-yellow-blue-blue-orange

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 13
What can I do What I know
1. B
2. C
Pencil no. Resistance 3. A
1 0.113Ω 4. A
5. D
2 4.35x10-2Ω
6. A
3 7.78x10-2Ω 7. D
8. D
Assessment 9. A
1.C 10. B
2.A
3.C Independent Activity 1
4.A a. 18 A
5.D b. 8.8 A
6.A
7.A Independent Assessment 1
8.A Current and resistance are inversely
9.A Proportional to each other
10.A
Independent Activity 2
Additional Activities a. 9.0x102 C , 5.6x1021 e-
1. b. 6.7x1021 e-
A. red, orange, yellow, green,
silver, yellow Independent Assessment 2
The number of electrons will increase
B. green, violet, gray, yellow,
gold, red
Independent Activity 3
2. 5.8x10-3 m
A. 468X103 ±2% 50ppm
Independent Assessment 3
B. 784X106 ±0.25% 15ppm
Increase the length of the wire.
The current and resistance in inversely
proportional to each other. While the re-
sistance and the length of the material is
directly proportional to each other.
What I have learned
1. Students’ answer may vary
2.Students’ answer may vary
3.Students’ answer may vary
4.Students’ answer may vary
Answer Key
References

Silverio, Angelina A. Exploring life through Science Series: General Physics 2.

Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing house Inc.,2017
Cacanindin, Dan Dustin V. Belleza. General Physics 2. Vibal Publishing ,2016

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