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 COURSE CODE: AC 1
 COURSE DESCRIPTION: ENGINEERING UTILITIES 1

LEARNING MODULE 1
UNIT1-INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICITY
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MODULE OVERVIEW

In this module we will learn about:

 The atom
 Electron
 The nature of electricity
 Conductors and insulators
 Electric energy
 The basic electric circuit
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LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this module you must be able to:

 Trace the origin of the knowledge of electricity

 Know about the nature of electricity
 Connect electricity to the atom and the electron
 Define charge
 Distinguish between conductor and insulator
 Describe and draw basic electric circuit
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CONCEPTS, KEY TERMS and DEFINITION

 Atom – in chemistry and physics it is the smallest particle of a

chemical element that retains its chemical properties
( Atom. Science Daily.Com)
 Electron- a subatomic particle which can be either free or bound
to the nucleus with a charge of -1 (Whatls.Com)
 Proton – a subatomic with a charge of + 1
 Charge – physical property of matter that causes it to experience
force in an electromagnetic field (en.Wikipedia.org)
 Electric circuit – apparatus for transmitting electric energy ( H. W. Jackson)
 Conductor - material with a “cloud of free electrons” which permits a flow
of electric current ( H. W. Jackson)
 Insulator – the opposite of conductor
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MODULE MAP

OUTERMOST CONDUCTOR
ELECTRICITY ATOMM
ELECTRON

charge

curren t
CURRENTNT ELECTRIC
CIRCUIT

ELECTRICITY AND THE ATOM

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INTRODUCTION

In this module we will learn abut the original developments

that lead to the knowledge of electricity.

Was electricity invented or its nature uncovered by man?

To answer that question we will discuss atomic structure, the

electron, the significance of the outermost electrons, and charge.

The electric circuit will be introduced.

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LESSON 1- CHARGE and the ATOM

In an experiment in the 18th century Benjamin Franklin rubbed a glass rod(G)
with silk(S). G1 and G2 would have the same properties because both were
rubbed wit the same material, silk. When he brought G1 And G2 together he
observed that the two would not attach to each other, they repelled each
other. Next he rubbed a piece of rubber(R) with fur(F). R1 and R2 would have
the same properties because both were rubbed with the same material, fur.
The two would not attach to each other , they also repelled each
other. When he brought G and R together, which have different properties,
they attached to each other or they attracted each other.

Consider the diagrams in the next slide:

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Glass rubbed with silk
Rubber rubbed with fur

G1 R1
S F

G2
S R2
F
Observations:
G2 G1

R2 R1 similar properties, repel

similar properties, repel
G R opposite properties, attract
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The “Rubbing” Experiment

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The property in the forgoing experiment is called charge.
Arbitrarily , the charge of the glass rod was called positive(+).
The charge of the rubber was called negative(_).
The coulomb is the unit of charge.
Similar charges repel; opposite, attract. Law of charges

To gain a deeper insight into the concept of charge which is popular today
among users of cellular technology we look at the structure of an atom.
A simple model of the atom by Neils Bohr will be used.

The core of the atom is the nucleus around which sub-atomic particles called
electrons revolve in fixed orbits. In the nucleus are sub-atomic particles called
protons.

𝑒´
+  

Bohr Model of the Atom

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Bohr Models of the Atom

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The electron is assigned a negative charge(-1), the proton a positive charge(+1)
The force of attraction between the electrons and protons in the atom hold the
electrons in orbit. This force is called electric force.

The atom may be thought of as the solar system in which the electrons are the
planets, the nucleus is the sun, and the electric force is the gravitational force.

We may refer to the following to determine charge.

The atom has:
• neutral charge - if number of electrons = number of protons
• negative charge - if number of electrons > number of protons
• positive charge - - - number of electrons < number of protons
The electron that occupies the outermost orbit is loosely bound to the nucleus
so it is free. In fact in some materials like copper the free electrons constitute
a cloud of free electrons that may be moved by an appropriate energy
source.
A material has:
• negative charge - excess of electrons in whole material
• positive charge - deficiency of electrons
• Neutral or zero charge- number of electrons = number of protons
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CHARGING by RUBBING or FRICTION

When two different materials are rubbed together the friction produces heat that excites
the electrons in the materials. Some materials possess
the ability to accept electrons from other materials. Between glass and silk, silk has
more ability to accept electrons. Glass on the other hand easily gives electrons away.
The electrons in glass which are “excited” by friction are dislodged from it and they
migrate towards the silk. The silk gets more electrons than it normally has resulting into
a negative charge. On the other hand glass is left less electrons than it normally has
resulting into a positive charge. In short charging involves a transfer
of electrons.

In the next lessons you will find out that charge refers to quantity of electricity.

Charge at rest is called static charge or static electricity.

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SAQ 1.1 - Complete the Table. Refer to the
“rubbing” experiment. Answer with either ‘attract’
or ‘repel’.

Pair of materials Attract/Repel

1. G1 andG2
2. R1 and R2
3. R1 and G2
4. G1 and S
5. G1 and F
6. R1 and F
7. S and S
8. F and F
9. R2 and S
10. R1 and S
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  SAQ 1.1 (cont.)

Matching. Match Column A with Column B. Write the letters only.

A B

1. charge a. unit of charge

2. atom b. balance of and protons
3. electron c. force of gravity
4. electric force d. force of attraction
5. coulomb e. free electrons
6. + charge f. smallest chemical element
7. - charge g. excess of electrons
8. neutral charge h. lack of electrons
9. cloud of electrons i. – particle
10. mica j. Insulator
k. quantity of electricity
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LESSON 2– CONDUCTORS and INSULATORS

Water flowing through a pipe may turn a water wheel. The water serves as the
energy carrier. The pipe serves as the pathway for the water. Electric current
through a wire turns the electric fan. The electric current serves as the energy
medium or carrier. The wire serves as the pathway for the electric current.

Conductor- - - material with a cloud of free electrons that may be moved.

Examples: gold, silver, copper, aluminum, iron, water
Insulator- - - material with only a few free electrons.
Examples: rubber, glass, mica, fibra, dry wood.
A conductor or wire serves as the pathway for electricity. An insulator serves to
cover wire for safety.
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Water Provides Energy to Turn a Wheel

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MOTOR SUPPLLIED BY POWER THROUGH WIRES

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Conductors and Insulators in a Substation

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SAQ 1.2

Multiple Choice. Select the best answer. Write the letters only
in your answer sheet.

1. Which makes copper a good conductor of charges?

a. cloud of free electrons b. neutral particles c. protons
2. The major reason why electric wires are covered with rubber.
a. protect the wire b. improve strength c. protection from
contact
3. Electric wires are installed overhead. Why?
a. less expensive b. for safety. c. obstruction in the ground
4. Why is dry wood classified as an insulator?
a. light when dry b. easily burns c. no moisture
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Lesson 3 – The ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
The word circuit means a closed loop or path. Electric
circuit is really a path
along which electricity flows from a source to an electrical
load then back to the source.
The circuit includes a switch to open and close the circuit.
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ACTIVITY 3.1:

In the simple electric circuit identify the following :

a. source of electricity
b. electrical load
c. control device
d. pathway of electricity
POST TEST

Multiple choice. Select the best answer. Write the letters only in your 23
answer
Sheet.

1. Which of the following also means energy?

a. force b. mass c. displacement d. Work
2. The smallest particle of an element that retains its properties.
a. proton b. proton c. atom d. electron
3. Electron is to nucleus: earth is to ---------.
a. sun b. mars c. jupiter d. venus
4. --------- is the property that enables a material to experience
force.
a. magnetism b. charge c. electricity d. gravity
5. Which diagram violates the Law of Charges according to the
rubbing
experiment?

glass glass rubber

a. b.
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Cont:.
  6. Like charges repel; unlike, attract.
a. true b. False
7. Negatively charged
a. on b. electron c. neutron d. positron
8. If the charge of one electron is 1.62 x coulombs how
any electrons are there in one coulomb?
a. 6.2 x b. 6.2 x c. 6.2 x
9. The force that holds an electron in orbit around the nucleus
a. gravitational b. centrifugal c. electric force
10. The outermost electron is the conveyor of electric energy
because it
a. occupies the highest energy level
b. is tightly bound to the nucleus
c. is loosely bound to the nucleus
d. relatively moves faste
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cont:

Matching. Match column A with column B.

A B
1. Conductor a. apparatus for conveying electricity
2. Electron b. unit of charge
3. Electric circuit c. covers live wire
4. Coulomb d. closed loop
5. Static charge e. charge at rest
f. passage way of electric energy
g. negative particle
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  SYNTHESIS

Topics taught in Module 1.

1. atomic structure – highlighted the role of the outermost

electron
2. electron, proton – assigned negative and positive charge
3. static charge _ gave a simple rule to determine charge;
surplus of _ negative charge
deficiency of _ positive charge
4. conductor, insulator _ emphasized free electrons in the former
minimal in the latter
5. Law of Charges _ similar repel; opposite attract
6. electric circuit _ described as the closed loop pathway
of electric charge
7. electric energy _ defined practically as a form of energy that is
transmitted by charges flowing through conducto
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REFERENCES

1. Introduction to Electric Circuits by

Herbert W. Jackson
2. Websites(to be organized)

Prepared by:
Engr joe tapel