Electric Current

• Electric current is the rate of flow of charge.

• Electric current flow from the positive to the
negative terminal, the charges are actually
carried by electrons which flow from the
negative to the positive terminal.
• When the number of batteries is increased,
the bulb will be even brighter because more
current is flowing through the bulb.
Q=lt

Q = charge
l = current
t = time
Example

The charges which are accumulated

in a cloud is 10 C. What is the current
flow if the time taken for the cloud to
discharge the charges through
lightning is 0.05s?
Solution

Q=lt
I=Q
t
= 10
0.05
= 200 A
 The relationship between electric
current and electrical energy
1. When a battery is connected in a circuit, the
energy stored in the battery is used to drive
charges around the circuit.
2. This charges flow around the circuit and this
energy is transformed to other forms of energy
( light or heat energy ).
3. The different of energy possessed by these
charges before and after flowing through the
circuit is called the potential difference.
4. Itis the potential difference that makes the
electrical charge flow through the wires and
components in a circuit.

Potential difference ( V ) = energy ( E )

charge ( Q )
5. One volt is difference of one joule of energy per
coulomb of charge, its means :
‘If there is a potential difference of 1 volt across
a bulb in a circuit, it means that 1 coulomb of
charge passing through the bulb loses 1 joule of
energy which is transferred into light and heat.’
Positive terminal Negative terminal Electron flow
+ -

Conventional cell
current
lamp
Example :
An electric bulb is connected across a
battery which has a potential difference
of 6V, and if 30C of charge pass through
the bulb filament, what is the total
amount of energy produced?
Solution :

Energy ( E ) = charge ( Q ) x
potential difference ( V )
= 30 C x 6 V
= 180 J
 Electromotive Force
1. Electromotive force (e.m.f) is defined as the
electrical energy delivered per unit charge.
2. Thus, the electromotive force ( e.m.f ) is
equal to the work done by a cell in driving 1
coulomb of charge around the circuit.
3. When a cell is connected in a circuit, the
electron flow from the negative to positive
terminal.
4. These electrons are supplied with electrical
energy from chemical reactions inside the cell.
5. The e.m.f of a cell depends on the substance
used as the electrolyte and the materials used as
the electrodes.
6. The electrons pass through the circuit and
convert electrical energy into other forms of
energy.
7. The electrical energy per coulomb delivered to
the circuit is less than the e.m.f of the cell.
8. So the potential difference across the terminals
of the cell is less than the e.m.f of the cell.
9. The unit of e.m.f is volt.
 V/V
E

Potential △V
difference

△I
0 I/A
current

• The graph of potential difference ( V ) against

current ( I )
• From the linear graph:
V = E – Ir
E = V + Ir

The gardient = △V = -r
△I
♥ Electromotive force ( E )
♥ Potential difference ( V )
♥ Internal resistance ( r )
 Alternating
Current ( A. C )

Alternating current
is used in homes. Generated by an AC
generator in power
station.
1. AC generator consists of a coil of wire
placed in a magnetic field.
2. The coil of wire is mounted so that it can
rotate freely in the magnetic field.
3. When the coil rotates, it cuts through the
magnetic field lines and induced current is
produces.
4. The induced current is greatest when the
coil is in the horizontal position.
5. When the coil is in the vertical position,
the current is zero.
 The use of oscilloscope ( CRO ) to
display waveforms of the AC current
• To display waveforms of AC current, the
signal of the AC current is connected to the
terminals of the Y – plates.
• Time base knob on the panel of CRO can be
set to a known value, for instance 10ms cm -1.
• It means a horizontal distance of 1 cm on the
screen represents a time interval of 10
milliseconds.
• Therefore, the voltage of AC input can be
measured on the screen.
◙ The voltmeter measures the root mean square
voltage ( Vrms).
◙ If the peak current is Io, an ammeter will measures
the root mean square currents
( Irms ). Both Vrms and Irms is defined as

○ Root mean square voltage ( Vrms) = Vo

√2
○ Root mean square current ( Irms) = Io
√2
 Benefits of Generation of Electrical
Energy
1. Electrical energy or electricity is produced
from hydroelectric power plants or burning
fuels ( natural gas and coal ).
2. Electrical energy is used in :
a) domestic sector
b) commercial sector
c) industrial sector
 Economic balance and social
responsibility
Electricity is needed in all sectors, in industries it
will improve the economy of the country. But, the
construction of dams and burning of fossils fuel
have a negative impact on :
a) society → building dam need very
large area, so many people are
relocated need to adapt with
new environment.
b) environment → many species of flora
and fauna that have
medical value may
become extinct.
→ buildings of dams may
disrupt the food chain.
→ sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides from burning of
fossils fuel is harmful to
human health.