Fundamentals of low

frequency currents
Charge
• It is the difference (imbalance) between protons and electrons

• It is the fundamental property of the atoms of the matter

Charge
Types of charges

Positive Negative

Electron lose Electron excess

Coulomb
• Quantity of electrons passes with 1 ampere flow for 1 second

• 1 coulomb = 6.26 x 1018 electron charges

Current
• Flow of electrons in the matter (conductor)

• It is measured in ampere (A) and milliampere (mA)

• For medical current, milliampere (mA) measurement is used

Ampere
• Flow of 1 coulomb electrons per second
Potential Difference
• Difference of charge at two ends of the matter (conductor)

• Electrons flow from higher potential difference to lower potential

difference
Volt (V)
• Electron force (Electromotive Force) required to produce 1 ampere
current with 1 ohm resistance
Joule
• Work done (energy produced / heat produced) by 1 newton force
through 1 meter distance in conductor
Watt (W)
• Electron force (Electromotive force) of 1 volt to move 1 ampere
current ( 1 coulomb per second )

• It measures power ( rate of doing work )

 ELECTRICITY

Static Electricity Current Electricity

Static electricity
• When the charges on a body do not flow, then it is called static
electricity

• When we rub two suitable materials together (insulators), static

electric charge is produced
Static electricity
• Example
• If two insulators such as glass and flannel are rubbed together, a positive
charge is produced on the flannel and a negative charge on the glass
Static electricity
• Example
• As these both materials are insulators, the charges are held on the surfaces of
the objects
Static electricity
• The charges spread themselves evenly over the surfaces unless there
are points or corners
Static electricity
• Charges tend to concentrate at the pointed area
Static electricity
• Distribution of static charge
Static electricity
• Charged body is continually seeking to attain its neutral state
• If negative……..by losing electrons
• If positive……….by gaining electrons

• This phenomenon creates an electric field

• This electric field is made up of an imaginary lines of force

surrounding the body
Static electricity
• Lines of force
Static electricity
• Properties of lines of force
• Lines of force surrounding an isolated charged body are straight
Static electricity
• Properties of lines of force
• Lines of force repel one another (as do like charges)
Static electricity
• Properties of lines of force

• Lines of force pass more easily through conductors than through insulators

• Lines of force concentrate on that part of the surface of a charged body

nearest to another object over which they can exert an influence
Static electricity
• If a charged body is placed in contact with another body (charged or
uncharged), then electrons flow between them until they are at the
same potential
Electrical potential
• It is the electrical condition of the body when compared to the
neutral potential of the Earth

• Bodies with excess of electrons are called _______________

• Bodies deficient in electrons are called _______________

Electrical potential
• Unit of potential is volt

• Higher potential means a strong repelling power

• So, the magnitude of the potential depends on quantity of electrons

and the capacitance of the object
Electrical potential
• If two similar objects are charged with different quantities of
electricity, the one with the most will have the greater potential
(repelling power)
Electrical potential

• Quantity of electricity is measured in ____________

Capacitance
• It is the ability of the body to hold an electrical charge

• Capacitance depends upon the material and surface area of the body

• As charge is always held on the surface, the greater the surface area
the greater is the capacitance of the body
Capacitance
• Capacitance surface area
Capacitance
• Larger the capacitance of the body, the smaller the potential
(repelling power) developed by a given charge

• Smaller objects have greater repelling power

Potential difference
• A difference of potential exists between similar bodies charged with
different quantities of electricity
Potential difference

• If a conducting connection is made between two bodies, electrons

will flow from more __________ bodies to less ____________ bodies
Potential difference
• The force producing the movement is called an electromotive force
(EMF)

• Electron flow continues until both objects are at the same _________