Chapter 8: ELECTRICITY

A. HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICITY

LECTURE – 1

A. HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICITY

INTRODUCTION
 We have different sources of electricity: cells (or battery), mains
(electricity supplied by electrical board), electrical generator (or dynamo)
and solar cells.
 The cell or battery provide us with D.C. (direct current) that remains
constant with time.
 The mains and electric generator provide us A.C. (alternating current) that
the magnitude and polarity both change with time.
 The most commonly used A.C. frequency is 50 Hz (means the polarity is
50 times positive and 50 times negative in each second).

ELECTRIC ENERGY & POWER CONSUMED IN A CIRCUIT

 Electricity or electric current is the rate of flow of electrons (charge) in a
given time.
 Mathematically, I = q/t, where I = electric current, q = charge and t =
time.
 To keep electrons moving (flowing), potential difference is needed which
is provided by a cell or battery.
 Potential difference “is the amount of work done in moving a unit
positive charge from one point to other.”
 Potential difference (V) = Work done (W) / charge (q) or W = qV. Also, q
= I x t, thus, W = V x I x t or Electrical energy (E) = Vit
Units of Potential difference (V), Electrical energy or work done (E or W),
Electric current (I) and Power (P)
 Unit of charge (q) = Coulomb (C)
 Unit of current (I) = Ampere (A) or C/t (as I = q/t)
 Unit of work or electrical energy (W or E) = Joules (J)
 Unit of potential difference (V) = Volt or J/C (as V = W/q)

TRANSMISSION OF POWER FROM THE POWER GENERATING

STATION TO THE CONSUMER
 Power is generated at the Generating Station at 11000 volt, or 11 kV as
these stations are at very far off place from areas where it is to be used.
 At Grid Sub-station this alternating current (a.c.) voltage is stepped up
from 11 kV to 132 kV to minimize the loss of energy in transmission line
wires.
 At Main Sub-station, this voltage is stepped down from 132 kV to 33 kV
and transmitted to City Sub-station.
 From city sub-station, it is further stepped down from 33 kV to 220 V for
supply to houses for consumers.

Generating Grid sub- Main sub- City sub- Households

Station station station station

Supply Of Power To A House & Colour Coding Of Wires

 The cables used to transmit consist of three wires:
a. Live Wire (or Phase) (L): Red or Brown
b. Neutral Wire (N): Black or light blue
c. Earth Wire (E): Green or yellow
  All wires are covered with an insulating material.
 The neutral and earth wires are connected together at the sub-station so
that the neutral and earth wires are at the same potential (thus, V = 0 volt)
 The live wire is at 220 V and it carries current from the sources to
distribution board, while the neutral wire is for the return path of current.
 The earth wire passes the current to the earth and protects us from electric
shocks.
LIVE WIRE NEUTRAL WIRE EARTH WIRE
It is connected directly It returns the electricity It does not carry
to the generators of the to the generators by electricity as it is used to
power station. completing the circuit. prevent people from
getting electric shocks.
Its voltage is same as Its voltage is 0 V. It is not connected to
that of mains supply electricity, thus 0 V.
(220V in India).

 Step-up transformer is used to raise A.C. voltage while lowered by

step-down transformer.
 As D.C. can neither be decreased nor increased by any device, thus D.C.
power is not used in household circuits.

Write true or false for each statement

1. Flow of protons constitutes electric current.
2. The earth wire protects us from an electric shock.
3. All electrical appliances in a household circuit work at the same voltage.
4. In a cable, the green wire is the live wire.

Fill in the blanks

1. A switch is connected to the ……… wire.
2. The insulated wire in red colour in a cable is the …………… wire.

Match the following

Column A Column B
a. Electrical power (i) volt
 b. kWh (ii) joule
c. Electric current (iii) volt x ampere
d. Electrical energy (iv) watt
e. Watt (v) ampere
f. Potential difference (vi) electrical energy

Select the correct alternative

a. All wires used in electric circuits should be covered with:
(i) Colouring material
(ii) Conducting material
(iii) An insulating material
(iv) None of the above
b. Electrical work done per unit time is:
(i) Electrical energy
(ii) Electric current
(iii) Electric voltage
(iv) Electrical power
c. One kilowatt is equal to:
(i) 100 watt
(ii) 1000 watt
(iii) 10 watt
(iv) None of these

Short/Long answer questions

1. From where does the electricity come to our homes?
2. A source of potential difference V volt sends current I ampere in a circuit
for time t second. Write expressions for (a) electrical energy supplied by
the source, and (b) electrical power spent by the source.
3. If an appliance of power P watt is used for time t hour, how much
electrical energy is consumed in kWh?
4. State the voltage at which electricity is supplied to our houses.
5. State the colour coding of the three wires in a cable used for wiring in a
household electrical circuit.
6. Why is the metal covering of an electrical appliance earthed?
 LECTURE – 2
CONNECTION FROM POLE TO THE DISTRIBUTION BOARD
 Company Fuse or Pole Fuse: It is a high rating fuse (= 50A) connected
to the live wire at the pole or just before the meter.
 After the company fuse, the cable is connected to an electric meter which
is usually mounted on the front or outside wall of the house.
 From the meter, connections are made to the distribution board through a
main fuse and a main switch.
 The main switch is connected to the live wire, while the main switch is
connected to the live and neutral wires.
COMMERCIAL UNIT OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY
 The commercial unit is called Board of Trade (B.O.T) unit or kWh
(kilowatt hour)
 1 kWh is the amount of energy consumed when an electrical appliance of
power 1 kilowatt is used for 1 hour.
 AS we know, P = E/t, E = P x t
 Energy (in kW) = Power (in kW) x time (in h)
 1 kWh = 1 kW x 1h = 1000 W x (60 x 60) s
= 36,00,000 J = 3.6 x 106 J

1 kWh = 3.6 x 106 J

Electric Meter
 It is a device used to measure the amount of electrical energy consumed
by the consumer in the unit kWh for which the electricity bill is paid by
him to the electricity board.
 When the electricity is in use, the counter fixed on the armature of the
meter rotates and reads the number of rotations (A red mark is seen
rotating).
  When any electric appliance is put on, the electric current flows that
rotates the armature (disc)
 Electric power meter works by counting the rotations of the disc.
Working of a household electric meter
 To be discussed in class.

Write true or false for each statement

1. S.I. unit and commercial unit of electrical energy are same.
Fill in the blanks
1. One kilowatt hour is equal to ……………. Joule.

Short/Long answer questions

1. What is an electric meter? Where is it fixed in our house?
2. State the purpose of kWh meter.
3. For which unit do we pay our electricity bill?
4. How can you check just by seeing the meter whether electricity is in use
or not?
5. Figure shows the reading on the dials of a meter. State what is its reading.
 6. One day the meter reading was 7643 units while on the following day, it
was 7657 units. What is the consumption of electricity in a day?
7. Name the unit in which you pay the cost of your electricity bill? How is it
related to joule?
8. An appliance is rated as 60W-150V.
a. What do you understand by this statement?
b. How much current will flow through the appliance when in use?
9. An electric iron of power 1.5 kW is used for 30 minutes to press clothes.
Calculate the electrical energy consumed in (a) kilowatt hour (b) joule

LECTURE – 3

ELECTRIC FUSE (A SAFETY DEVICE)

 It is a device used to limit the current in an electric circuit”.
 The use of fuse protects the appliance in circuit from being damaged.
 Fuse is always connected in live wire.
 Generally, the fuse wire is made up of an alloy of lead and tin in equal
proportion (50% each). This alloy melts around 200oC.
Purpose of fuse: It safe guards the circuit and the appliances are connected in
the circuit from being damaged if the current in the circuit exceeds the specified
value due to voltage fluctuation or short circuiting. The fuse wire gets heated up
to the extent that it melts, a gap is produced in the live wire and the circuit
becomes incomplete, no current flows and the appliance is saved.
Characteristics of a fuse: A fuse wire should have-
(i) High resistance
(ii) Low melting point
(iii) It should be connected in series with the live wire
(iv) Thickness of fuse wire depends on the current rating of it (higher the
rating, greater should be the thickness. Length of the fuse wire does
not affect the heating.
Note: Copper wire cannot be used as a fuse wire since meting point of copper is
higher and resistance is very low and current can flow through it without
melting it and without breaking the circuit.
 These days miniature circuit breakers (MCB) are used. It is automatic and
quicker breaker, when current flowing excess.

MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER (MCB)

 MCB is an automatic switch that opens when excessive current flows
through the circuit.
 It can be reclosed without any manual replacement. In the case of a fuse,
once it has been operated, it must be replaced or rewired, depending on
the type of the MCB.
 This is the main reason why MCBs are used as an alternative to the fuse
in most of the circuits.
 Also, whenever there is a fault in the circuit, the switches in the MCB
automatically shut down and the fault of the device can be easily
detected.
 It is raised up after the fault is rectified.

HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

 To be discussed in class.
 Image of the two experiments is required
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT IN A ROOM
 To be discussed in class.
Write true or false for each statement
1. A fuse wire has a high melting point.
2. A fuse wire is made of silver.
3. A fuse is connected to the live wire.
4. A switch is connected to the neutral wire.
Fill in the blanks
1. In a household electrical circuit, the appliances are connected in
………….. with the mains.
2. A fuse wire should have low ………………

Select the correct alternative

a. Fuse wire is an alloy of:
(i) Tin-lead
(ii) Copper-lead
(iii) Tin-copper
(iv) Lead-silver
b. A fuse wire should have:
(i) A low melting point
(ii) High melting point
(iii) Very high melting point
 (iv) None of the above
c. When switch of an electric appliance is put off, it disconnects:
(i) The live wire
(ii) The neutral wire
(iii) The earth wire
(iv) The live and the neutral wire
d. If out of the two lighted bulbs in a room, one bulb suddenly fuses, then:
(i) The other bulb will glow more
(ii) The other bulb will glow less
(iii) The other bulb will also fuse
(iv) The other bulb will remain lighted and unaffected
Short/Long answer questions
1. What is an electric fuse? State its purpose in the household electrical
circuit?
2. State one property of the material of a fuse wire.
3. Name the material of a fuse wire.
4. Can we use copper wire as a fuse wire? Give reason.
5. How does a fuse protect the electric wiring (or an appliance) from being
damaged?
6. Which fuse wire is thick: 5A or 15A?
7. Write the full form of MCB.
8. How is the MCB superior to the fuse wire?
9. With which wire: live or neutral is the fuse wire connected?
10. The figure shows two ways of connecting the three bulbs A, B and C to a
battery. Name the two arrangements. Which of them do you prefer to use
in a household circuits? Give a reason to support your answer.
11. How are the electrical appliances connected in a house circuit: in series or in
parallel? Give reason.
12. In the household electric circuit, if one bulb is fused in a room, the other
bulbs keep glowing. Explain the reason.
13. Draw a labelled diagram with the necessary switches to connect a bulb, a
fan and a plug socket in a room with the mains. In what arrangement will you
connect them to the mains?

LECTURE – 4

POWER RATING OF APPLIANCES

 Electrical appliances are usually rated in terms of power and voltage.
 From the power rating of an appliance, we can calculate the safe limit of
current which can flow through that appliance.
 We can use the relation, P = V x I.
HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY
 The electrical energy is sold in units of kWh and this is the unit in which
the consumer pays the cost of electricity.
 Energy (in kWh) = V (volt) x I (ampere) x time (hour)/1000
 The total cost of electricity consumed = Cost of 1 kWh unit x Number of
units consumed
HAZARDS (DANGERS) OF ELECTRICITY

 Overloading: The overheating of electrical wiring in any circuit due to

the flow of large current through it is called overloading.
 Short-circuiting: A sudden flow of very current due to direct contact of a
live wire and a neutral wire is called short-circuiting.
 Electric shock: If a person happens to touch a live electric wire, he gets a
severe electrical shock.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHILE USING ELECTRICITY

 Whenever we are using electrical appliances, our hands should be dry and
wear chappals. Avoid water at all times when working with electricity.
 Repair of electrical appliances should be done by a trained person.
 Use only ISI-marked electrical appliances.
 Put off the switch, if there is no use of electrical appliances.
 Always use insulated tools while working.
 Never use equipment with frayed cords, damaged insulation or broken
plugs.
 Never use an aluminium or steel ladder if you are working on any
receptacle at height in your home.
 An electrical surge will ground you and the whole electric current will pass
through your body. Use a bamboo, wooden or a fibreglass ladder instead.

Write true or false for each statement

1. Overloading of electric current in circuits can lead to an electrical short
circuit.
2. Our body can pass electricity through it.
3. The metallic cases of all appliances are insulators of electricity.
4. A switch should be touched with wet hands.

Fill in the blanks

1. The unit in which we pay the cost of electricity is …………..
 2. The electricity energy consumed in a house is measured by …………..
Select the correct alternative
a. The purpose of electric meter in a house is:
(i) To give the cost of electricity directly
(ii) To give the consumption of electrical energy
(iii) To safeguard the circuit from electrical short-circuit.
(iv) To put on or off the mains.

Short/Long answer questions

1. What do you mean by short circuiting of a circuit?
2. Assuming the electric consumption per day to be 12 kWh and the rate of
electricity to be Rs. 6.25 per unit, find how much money is to be paid in a
month of 30 days?
3. In a premise 5 bulbs each of 100 W, 2 fans each of 60 W, 2 ACs each of
1.5 kW are used for 5 h per day. Find:
(a) total power consumed per day,
(b) total power consumed in 30 days,
(c) total electrical energy consumed in 30 days, and
(d) the cost of electricity at the rate of ₹ 6.25 per unit.

B. STATIC ELECTRICITY

LECTURE - 1
DISCOVERY OF STATIC ELECTRICITY
 Electric current or electricity is the flow of electrons (charges) while
static electricity deals with the electricity at rest or the static
electricity.
 The word electricity came from a Greek word “electron” which
means amber (a type of a resin).
 Apart from amber, there are many other substances such as glass,
plastic, nylon, hard rubber, sealing wax, ebonite etc. which also show
the same attractive property.
 When an object made of a substance like glass, plastic, ebonite, amber,
nylon, hard rubber etc., is rubbed with wool, fur or silk, it acquires an
 electric charge due to friction. The object is said to be charged and it
acquires the property to attract small pieces of paper, leave or cork.
 Like charges repel each other while opposite charges attract each
other.

KINDS OF ELECTRIC CHARGES (LIKE CHARGES REPEL &

OPPOSITE CHARGES ATTRACT)

TYPES/KINDS OF CHARGES

POSITIVE CHARGE NEGATIVE CHARGE

 To be discussed in class.

LECTURE - 2
CONSERVATION OF CHARGE
 According to the Law of conservation of charge “When two different
bodies are rubbed together, both bodies get charged equally but with
charges of opposite kind.”
 Thus, the total charge of two bodies before and after rubbing remains
the same.
 Example: When an ebonite rod is-rubbed with fur, the electrons from
the fur are transferred to the ebonite rod and therefore the ebonite rod
becomes negatively charged (due to gain of electrons), while the fur
becomes equally positively charged (due to deficit of same number of
electrons). As the same number of electrons are, exchanged by the
ebonite rod and fur, the magnitude of charges main same but with
opposite sign.
Cause of charging of two objects when rubbed
 Both objects before rubbing are neutral.
 On rubbing, transfer of electrons from one object to another takes
place.
 The body from which electrons are transferred gets deficient in
electrons and becomes positively charged. The body to which
electrons are transferred has excess electrons and becomes negatively
charged.

Electrostatic series of some materials and their charge tendency

 Stronger tenedency to lose electrons Human skin
Glass
Human hair
Nylon

Stronger tendency to gain electrons

Wool
Fur
Silk
Pape
Cotton
Wood
Amber
Balloon
Vinyl
Polyester
Ebonite

CONDUCTORS & INSULATORS

CONDUCTORS INSULATORS
They allow the current electricity to Do not allow the current electricity
flow through them. to flow through them.
They have large number of free They have small number of free
electrons. electrons.
All metals like Ag, Cu, iron, gold, Cotton, dry wood, rubber, glass
wet wood etc. distilled water etc.
Conductors cannot be charged by Can be charged by rubbing.
rubbing.

1. Conductors or Good conductors

 Substances which allow electricity to flow through them are conductors.
 Examples: silver, copper, iron, aluminium — all metals human body,
impure water, wet cloth, wet wood.
2. Insulators or Bad conductors
  Substances which do not allow the electricity to flow through them.
 Examples: Rubber, glass, mica, dry cloth or dry wood, polythene,
wax, wool, pure water etc.
 Thus, insulators can only be charged rubbing (or friction) and
conductors cannot because the charge developed on them will flow
away and will not remain with them.

METHODS OF CHARGING A CONDUCTOR

1. Charging by conduction
Conduction— The process of charging an uncharged conductor with a charged
conductor by touching the uncharged one. Here the uncharged conductor shares
the charge of the charged conductor.
Process of conduction: Mount the uncharged conductor on an insulating stand
take the charged conductor with an insulating handle to the uncharged
conductor. If the charged conductor is positively charged then the uncharged
will be charged positive and if the charged is negatively charged then the
uncharged will be negatively charged.
Thus, some charge from charged conductor (metal rod) is shared by the
uncharged rod. Now when we remove the charged rod, our uncharged body now
acquires positive or negative charge as per the charge of our conductor rod.

2. Charging a conductor by induction

Induction: Charging an uncharged conductor by bringing a charged conductor
near it without touching is called induction.
Method of charging by induction: Place uncharged conductor B near
positively charged conductor A nearer end of B has negatively charged electrons
attracted towards positively protons remain on farther end of B. Hence, nearer
end of B is charged oppositely i.e. negative. We can test it by pith ball
electroscope. On removing charged body A away from B, The body B becomes
neutral due to protons and electron in B are equal and have opposite charge.

Charging by conductions Charging by induction

The charged body is directly touched
with the conductor (uncharged body).
The charge produced on the
conductor is similar to that on the
charged body used.
The charge produced on the
conductor is permanent. For
removing the charge, the conductor
has to be earthed.
There is a transfer of charge in the
process.
It can be used for both conductors and It can only be used for conductors
insulators.
The charged body is brought nearer to
the conductor (uncharged body).
The charged body induces opposite
charge at the near end and similar
charge at the opposite end of the
conductor.
The charge produced on the
conductor is temporary. The induced
charge disappears at the removal of
the inducing body.
There is no transfer of charge in the
process.

Write true or false statement

1. Human body is a conductor of electricity.
2. When an ebonite rod is rubbed with fur, the electrons move from ebonite
to fur.
3. When a glass rod is rubbed with dry silk cloth, the electrons move from
glass to silk.
4. In induction, a positively charged body can make an uncharged body
positively charged.
5. A glass rod rubbed with silk repels an ebonite rod rubbed with fur.
 6. When an ebonite rod is rubbed with fur, the protons move from the
ebonite rod to the fur.
7. An ebonite rod can be charged by touching it with a charged copper rod.

Fill in the blanks

1. An ebonite rod when rubbed with fur acquires the …………….. charge.
2. Charge is shared in charging a conductor by the method of …………
Match the following:
Column A Column B
a. Two like charges (i) negative charge
b. Two unlike charges (ii) repel
c. Silver is a (iii) insulator
d. Silk is an (iv) attract
e. Ebonite rod rubbed with (v) conductor
fur acquires

Select the correct alternative:

a. When a glass rod is rubbed with dry silk, the charge acquired by the silk cloth
is:
1. positive 2. negative 3. both positive and negative 4. none of the above
b. When an ebonite rod is rubbed with fur, the rod acquires 1. positive
charge 2. negative charge 3. no charge 4. none of the above
c. Charging a conductor by bringing another charged conductor close to it
without touching is called 1. induction 2. conduction 3. convection 4.
radiation
d. The factor responsible for charging a conductor is 1. transfer of protons
2. transfer of neutrons 3. transfer of electrons 4. transfer of both protons
and electrons
e. When a glass rod is rubbed with silk, the glass rod and the silk get
charged because electrons are transferred from the silk to the glass rod-
1. electrons are transferred from the glass rod to the silk 2. protons are
transferred from the silk to the glass rod 3. protons are transferred from the
glass rod to the silk
Short/Long Answer Questions
1. Why does a plastic comb rubbed with dry hair attract bits of paper?
2. Who discovered the way of producing electricity by friction?
3. Name two substances which can be charged by friction.
4. A glass rod is rubbed with silk. State the kind of charge acquired by
each.
5. An ebonite rod is rubbed with fur. State the kind of-charge acquired by
each.
6. A glass rod rubbed with silk is suspended near an ebonite rod rubbed
with fur. What will be your observation? Give a reason to your answer.
7. An ebonite rod rubbed with fur is suspended near another ebonite rod
rubbed with fur. State your observation and give a reason to support
your answer.
8. An ebonite rod is rubbed with fur. Compare the charges acquired by
them.
9. What causes the charging of two objects when they are rubbed
together?
10. In each of the following cases, state which body loses electrons: (a) A
glass rod when rubbed with silk. (b) An ebonite rod when rubbed with
fur.
11. A glass rod is rubbed with silk. Explain the charging of the glass rod
and the silk on the basis of electron movement.
12. An ebonite rod is rubbed with fur. Explain the charging of the ebonite
rod and the fur on the basis of electron movement.
13. State two ways of charging a conductor.
14. Name the way of charging a conductor in which the charge is shared.
15. Describe the method of charging a conductor by conduction.
16. A metal rod A is to be charged positively by using another charged rod
B. What should be the kind of charge on the rod B if charging is to be
done by conduction?
17. Explain the charging by conduction in terms of movement of
electrons.
18. Describe the method of charging a conductor by induction.
19. Explain the charging by induction in terms of movement of electrons.
20. Figure below shows a metal rod AB placed on an insulating stand. In
figure (a) a negatively charged ebonite rod C is touched with the metal
rod AB, while in figure (b), the negatively charged ebonite rod C is
held near the rod AB. State the kind of charges at the ends A and B of
the rod, in each case.
 21. Can you charge an insulator by the method of conduction?

LECTURE – 3
ELECTROSCOPE
 It is a device which is used to detect the presence and nature (kind) of
charge on a body, (i) pith ball electroscope and (ii) Gold leaf electroscope

1. Pith Ball Electroscope

 It consists of a small pith ball suspended by a dry silk thread from an
insulating stand.

 To test whether a body is charged or uncharged: Take a positively

charged pith ball electroscope. Bring the charged body near the pith ball
(without touching it). If the pith ball moves away, the body has similar
 charge (positive charge) and if the pith ball moves towards the body, the
body has negative charge. But if the body does not move at all, the body
is uncharged.

2. Gold Leaf Electroscope

Construction: To be discussed in the class.

To test whether a body is charged or uncharged

 The body to be tested for charged or not is brought near the disc of the
electroscope and touched with disc.
 If the leaves diverge, the body is charged and if leaves are not diverged, it
is uncharged.
To test whether the charged body has a positive charge or a negative charge
 Suppose we charge the leaves of the electroscope positively.
 To detect the kind of charge by a positively charged gold leaf
electroscope touching the disc of electroscope with negatively charged
ebonite rod. The leaves diverge (because of repulsion). The divergence as
show in figure (a).
 Bring a charged body to be tested in contact with disc. If divergence in
leaves increase, it has similar charge i.e. negative as shown in figure (b).
 If divergence decrease, the body has opposite charge i.e. positive charge
as shown in figure (c).
 Charge on the Charge on the body to Effect on the
electroscope be tested divergence of the gold
leaves
+ + Increases
- - Increases
+ - Decreases
- + Decreases
+ or - Uncharged Decreases

Write true or false for each statement

1. The cap of gold leaf electroscope is made of copper.
2. If a glass rod rubbed with silk is brought near the cap of a negatively
charged electroscope, divergence of leaves will decrease.
3. To find whether a body is charged or not, an uncharged electroscope is
used.
4. To find whether the charge on a body is positive or negative, an
uncharged electroscope is used.
5. If a negatively charged rod is brought near a negatively charged pith ball
electroscope, the pith ball will be stuck with the rod.

Fill in the blanks

1. When an uncharged conductor is brought in contact with the disc of a
gold leaf electroscope, its leaves ………………

Select the correct alternative

a. A gold leaf electroscope is to be charged positively by conduction. For
this 1. a positively charged rod is held close to near the disc of
electroscope 2. a positively charged rod is placed in contact with the disc
of electroscope 3. a negatively charged rod is held near the disc of
electroscope 4. a negatively charged rod is touched with the disc of
electroscope
b. A glass rod rubbed with silk is touched with the disc of a negatively
charged gold leaf electroscope. The divergence of leaves will 1. decrease
2. increase 3. remain unchanged 4. first decrease and then increase.
c. The rod in a gold leaf electroscope is made up of 1. wood 2. brass 3.
glass 4. ebonite
Short/Long Answer Questions
1. What is an electroscope? Name the two types of electroscopes.
2. Describe a pith ball electroscope. how can you use it to test whether a
body is charged or uncharged?
3. How will you use a pith ball electroscope to find out whether the
charge on a charged body is positive or negative?
4. Draw a labelled diagram of a gold leaf electroscope and describe its
construction.
5. A positively charged glass rod is touched with the disc of an
uncharged gold leaf electroscope. What will be your observation?
6. How will you use a gold leaf electroscope to find out whether a body
is charged or uncharged?

LECTURE – 4
ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY
Franklin’s Experiment

 Franklin flew a kite made of silk in a thunder-storm. At the top comer of

the kite, he fixed a metal wire about 30 cm long.
 The other end of the wire was joined to the string. At the lower end of the
string, he tied a metal key.
 Observation: When the string got wet, he obtained a number of sparks
between his knuckle and the key.
  Conclusion: He concluded from his experiment that in a thunder storm,
the clouds acquire an electric charge due to friction.

LIGHTNING
Due to friction from winds, clouds rub against each other and get electrically
charged during thunder storm (bundles of small water droplets and ice particles
form thunder storm).

 The upper part of cloud is usually positive while the lower part of cloud
gets usually negatively charged.
 Sudden movement in cloud causes this electrical charge to discharge in
the form of lightning.

Dangers of lightning: Lightning can kill the men, animals and shatter the
buildings and cause large scale fire in forests and buildings.

Safety measures to be taken during lightning

 (i) Do not lie on the ground, but squat low on the ground with your hands
on your knees and head in between.
(ii) Take out the plugs of the T.V. sets, computers, etc. Do not use the
wired phone.
(iii) Do not take bath during the thunder storms and avoid contact with
running water or metallic tap.
(iv) Do not carry an umbrella over your head particularly if walking in an
open ground.
(v) If there are tree around, take shelter under a shorter tree.
(vi) Do not stand near any structure made of metal.
(vii) During a thunderstorm, it is not advisable to stand under a tall tree or
building.
(viii) Take shelter in basement or any low house/building.
(ix) If travelling in a bus or car, close the windows.

LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR
The conductor which is fixed on the top of the building to protect the buildings
from the damage by lightning.
Construction: The conductor consists of several sharp metal spikes connected
to a thick copper strip. The other end of the copper strip is fixed to a metal plate
buried inside the ground. The process is called earthing. The conductor hoe
works on the principle of induction.

Working: Whenever a charged cloud pass by the building, the conductor gets
charge opposite to that of the cloud through the process of induction. Now this
acquired charge moves to the earth through the earthing system and the building
is saved from the damage.

Write true or false for each statement:

1. A lightning conductor saves the building from lightning.
Select the correct alternative
a. Lightning conductor is made up of: 1. copper 2. glass 3. ebonite 4.
Wood
Short/Long answer questions
1. Describe Franklin’s experiment. What did he conclude from his
experiment?
2. What causes lightning?
3. What are the effects of lightning?
4. What is a lightning conductor? How does it work?
5. How is a tall building protected from damage due to lightning?
6. State three safety measures that you will observe in a thunder storm.