ELECTRIC

CIRCUITS
 Current can be A.C or D.C.
D.C
D.C stands for direct current.
A direct current (DC) is a flow of charges
around a circuit in the same direction all
the time. (unidirectional current)
It consists of one straight line.
When viewed by an oscilloscope:
Source: batteries supply dc current.
A.C
A.C stands for alternating current.
Alternating current (AC) is a flow of
charges around a circuit that reverses its
direction at regular intervals, usually 50
times a second.
It consists of one positive and one
negative cycle .
When viewed by an oscilloscope:
Source: household electric power is
supplied as AC current.
Circuit diagram and electrical symbols:
❖ An electrical circuit diagram, is a drawing that shows the connections and
components in an electrical circuit.
❖It makes it easier to understand how to build a particular circuit.
❖ We use symbols for the components in circuit diagrams, because it's quicker
and requires less artistic skill.

a circuit diagram
Some electrical symbols:
components Their electrical symbols

cell
battery

power supply

open switch

closed switch

Filament lamp

Wire
 Wires joined(connected)

wires crossing
(unconnected)

A.C supply

earthed

or
fixed resistor

variable
 ammeter

voltmeter

LDR

thermistor

fuse
Choose the best answer:
1.
Resistors in series and parallel:
- Resistors can be connected together to form series or parallel circuits or combination of both.
- They differ from each other in the following ways.

series circuit parallel circuit

1. Resistors are connected end to end in a single

loop. 1. Resistors are connected in separate loops.
As there is a single path for the flow of current, Therefore, in a parallel circuit, the total current from
Therefore, in a series circuit, the current at every point the source is divided among the resistors and is equal
is the same. to the sum of the currents in the separate branches.
 2. The potential difference (voltage) existing across the
2. Different potential difference (voltage) exist across each various component in the circuit is same and is equal to the
component. That is, voltage is divided among the resistors. voltage of the source.
Total voltage is the sum of voltages across each resistor.

3. The combined or equivalent resistance is the reciprocal

3. The combined or equivalent resistance is the sum of sum of individual resistances.
individual resistances.

(By ohm’s law)

(By ohm’s law)
 For two resistors in parallel, their combined
resistance can be calculated as,

4. Adding more resistors in series will increase the 4. Adding more resistors in parallel will decrease the
total resistance and decrease the current. total resistance and increase the current.

5. If one component stops working, others 5. If one component does not work, other will
component will also not work. It is because there is continue to work. It is because there are multiple
a single path for current to flow. branches for the current flow depending upon the
number of components.
Choose the best answer.
Rules for solving circuit problems:
• find out the total resistance.

• Find out the total current.

• Find out the p.d across each resistor.

 P o te n ti ald ivd e r:

• A potential divider is simply a circuit with resistors arranged in series.

• Current in this circuit remains constant but the main voltage from the source(battery) is divided into two
voltages of the two resistors.

• The proportion of the available p.d. that the two resistors get depends on their resistance values.

• Sum of the divided voltage is equal to the main voltage (input voltage).

• A potential divider also uses thermistors / LDR’s to supply a variable potential difference.

• USE: They can be used

- as audio volume controls,

- to control the temperature in a freezer or

- to monitor changes in light in a room.

Potential divider with fixed resistors:
• In this circuit as the resistors have fixed resistance,
So their output voltage is also fixed.
output voltage across R1 is given as:

output voltage across R2 is calculated by:

Example:
use the information in the given diagram to find V out.
Potential divider with variable resistor:

• In this circuit if one component has a variable resistance,

then a change in the value of resistance will result in a change in output
voltage across R1 and R2 both.
• By ohm’s law
V=IR ( I=constant)
voltage is directly proportional to R.

• if R1 is increased, V1 also increases but V2 decreases

and vice versa. So that sum of the divided voltage
is equal to the main voltage (input voltage).
V(input)= V1+ V2
 Potential divider with sliding contact

• In this potential divider, the position of the sliding

contact C determines the ratio of the resistance
since resistance is proportional to length for
a fixed cross sectional area.
• output voltage will vary depending on the position of the sliding contact.
• when contact C is moved towards A, the resistance across AC decreases
accordingly.
• to obtain a larger output voltage, the contact C is moved towards B.
position of the sliding
contact V1 V2
at A 0V 12 V
Midway between A& B 6V 6V
at B 12 V 0V
Potential divider with thermistor:
• Thermistor is a semi conductor in which resistance decreases with rise in
temperature.

• USES:
• It can be used as relay switch.
• it can be used as thermometers as they sense heat.
Potential divider with LDR:
• resistance of a LDR decreases in bright light because of rise in temperature.

• USES:
• It can be used as relay switch.
• It is also used lightmeter.
 B righ tn eso falm p :

• brightness of a lamp is directly related to the voltage across it.

• More the supply voltage, more will be the brightness of a lamp.
• The voltage obtained from a power source for operation of a circuit or
device is called supply voltage.
• The voltage at which the circuit or motor or component is designed to
work with is called rated voltage.
supply voltage to the lamp brightness
case 1: bulbs dimmer / less bright
Supply voltage < rated voltage
Case 2: Full or normal brightness
Supply voltage = rated voltage
Case 3: Too bright. Lamp blown/ filament
Supply voltage > rated voltage melts/ or overheated
Circuit with switches:
under the conditions given in the grid, which lights will glow and
which will not?

S1 S2 S3 L1 L2 L3
Open Close Close
d d
Close Close Open
d d
Close Open Open
d
 S1 S2 S3 L1 L2 L3
Open Close Close Off Off Off
d d
Close Close Open Glo Glo glow
d d w w
Close Open Open Glo Off Glow
d w
In the circuit shown, the switches S1 and S2 may be open (off) or closed (on).

Which line in the table shows the voltmeter reading for the switch positions given?
In the circuit shown, the switches S1 and S2 may be open (off) or closed (on).

Which line in the table shows the voltmeter reading for the switch positions given?
A student sets up the circuit shown. The switch is open (off).

Which lamps are on and which lamps are off?

A student sets up the circuit shown. The switch is open (off).

Which lamps are on and which lamps are off?

 Short circuit:
• A short circuit is simply a low resistance connection between the two conductors
supplying electrical power to any circuit.
• This results in an infinite or too high current flow in the power source through the 'short,'
and may even cause the power source to be destroyed.
• Short circuits can produce very high temperatures that could cause the components to
catch fire.

• Consequences:
1. circuit or component heats up
• 2. components may be blown.
• 3. batteries drain out quickly.