22

electrical

Chapter
Quantities
Electrical energy is an important form of energy because many modern
machines use it as a source of power and it can be easily converted into
other forms of energy.
Generators, batteries and fuel cells can produce electrical energy. Fossil
fuels are generally burnt to produce electricity but other alternate means of
producing electricity such as solar, wind and hydroelectric are becoming
popular.
Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities
 Electrical energy is one of the most useful forms of energy.

Examples of electrical energy sources:

Batteries stores chemical energy for conversion
Dynamos converts mechanical energy to electrical energy

Electromotive force (e.m.f.)

The work done by the force acting on charged particles to
convert other forms of energy to electrical energy.
The unit for electrical energy is joules (J)

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Electrical Energy Conversions

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Light Bulbs
and other equipment that uses resistance filaments…

Large electron flow

Electrical Energy
Increase in collisions between the
electrons and atoms of the filament

Atoms gain kinetic energy

Thermal and Light Energy

Increase in temperature and

hence thermal energy
The electrical current that passes
through the resistance filament is
very high Heating of coils which radiates
as light

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Potential Difference

Potential difference V is defined as the amount of

work done W (or energy E converted) to drive a unit
charge Q through any two points in a circuit.

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Potential Difference

work done or energy

converted

W E J (Joule)
V (Volt) V = Q =
Q C (Coulomb)

p.d.
charge

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities
 Electrical power, P, is the rate of electrical energy transformed
to other forms in any electrical device.

P= E Rate of change of
t electrical energy
= QV
t

Electric current, I, is the rate of flow of charge, I = Q

t
Hence,
P = IV

The SI unit of electrical power is watt (W), where 1 W is 1 J/s.

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Cost of Electricity
We pay for the electrical energy used or converted in our homes. How
much we pay depends on the power output of the electrical appliance
and the period of time it is used.

Hence, kWh kilowatt hour

Energy used = Power x

time

As the SI unit for energy, joule (watt x second), is too small for the
calculation of electricity consumed in a modern home; we use a
more convenient unit called the kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Sample Calculation
Below is the information given on a label of an electric iron.
220 V to 240 V 1000 – 1200 Watts
A.C. only
Model XYZ

If electricity costs 16 cents per unit, what is the cost of using the iron at
maximum power 30 minutes every day in the month of May?

Cost of electricity = energy consumed x cost per unit

= power x time x cost per unit

= 1.2 x 0.5 x 31 x 16
= 153.6 cents
= $1.54

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Turbine generators are used to produce electricity in power stations. The
rotors of the turbine need a source of energy to rotate them.

Fossil fuels

1. Fuel is burned to heat water.

2. The heated water produces a high pressure steam that is used to
make the turbine blades spin.
3. The turbine then drives the generator which produces electricity.

Increase in demand for electric

energy
=
More fossil fuels consumed

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 The increased rate of consumption of fossil fuels is a cause
for concern as there are limited amounts of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels

• Naturally found on earth.

• It takes millions of years to form in the ground from dead

vegetation and animals.
• It is a form of non-renewable energy source (cannot be replaced).

Therefore, electricity users should conserve electricity

and reduce the amount of wastage.

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Conserving Electricity
Simple yet effective steps can be taken in homes to reduce the
consumption of electricity
Use cold water Switch off electrical
Use fans instead Use energy rather than hot appliances when not
of air-conditioners efficient lights water in use.

Energy saving devices

Fluorescent lamps vs Incandescent bulbs

• are gas-discharge lamps • produce light by heating up
that produce visible light a filament, that has high
through the production of UV electrical resistivity, until it is
light that causes the phosphor hot
in the lamp to fluoresce

Fluorescent lamps convert electrical energy to light energy more

efficiently than incandescent bulbs.

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Energy saving devices

Solar water heaters

Water heating consumes a large amount of energy.
Solar water heaters are an alternative way of heating water.
Solar panels absorb heat energy from the Sun and transfers the
energy to the water.

Solar water heaters also help to reduce the emission of

greenhouse gases to the environment.

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities

 Hydroelectric, solar and wind energy are good alternatives to
fossil fuels. They are renewable sources of energy

Hydroelectric energy
Hydroelectric power stations use the stored energy of water to
generate electricity.

Solar energy
Solar-powered devices use energy from the Sun to generate
electricity.

Wind energy
Windmills use wind power to drive generators that provide
electrical energy.

Chapter 22: Electrical Quantities