This document discusses several topics related to electricity including: 1. Current is defined as the rate of flow of charge, and varies with time according to the equation if the rate is not constant. Drift velocity is the average velocity of electrons moving through a metal. 2. Resistance is proportional to the length of a wire and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. Resistivity is a constant for a given material that relates these factors in determining resistance. 3. Heat developed in a conductor is equal to the electrical power, which is calculated as the product of current, voltage, and time based on Ohm's law and Joule's heating effect. 4. Kirchhoff

1. CURRENT ELECTRICITY
An electric current is set up when a net charge Q passes through any section of the conductorin time t.
The charge assumed to be constant:i.e
If the value of the rate flow of charge is not constant the current varies with time and is given by the equation.
VELOCITY OF CURRENT CARRIES OR DRIFT VELOCITY (V).
The conduction of electricity in metal is due to free electrons. Free electron have the thermal energy and wonder
randomly through the metal from atom to atom and hence collide.
The amplitude of vibration are then increased and the temperature of the metal rise.
On the average the electron drift in the direction of the drift in the mean velocity called drift velocity
Consider a metal wire of cross sectional area A and of length L.
Let “n” be the number of electrons per unit volume and “e” is the charge of an electron
The volume occupied by electron is AL
The total number of electrons is nAL
The total charge (Q) in the wire is nALe........ (1)
If I is the current flowing through this wire then,
I = Q/t ---------------------(3)

2. From equation 5
Examples
1. Electrons each having a charge passing through point x towards a point y in 0.1 sec. What is the
current and its direction?
2. A conductorwith a cross section of and electric current of 1.2A. If the number of electrons be
calculate the electron velocity.(Take charge of an electron=

3. Q3 A uniform copper wire of diameter 0.051mm carries a current 10A. what is the drift velocity of electrons in the
wire, assuming the charge of electrons is
1.6 X 10-19 C
RESISTANCE AND RESISTIVITY:
Ohm had shown that by using wires of different lengths and diameters.
Resistance of a wire R is proportional to its length
and inversely proportional to its cross section area. A i.e

4. From (1) and (2) we have
Where is the constant forthe material of the wire and it is called. Resistivity.
The resistance of pure metal increases with temperature.
Example
A copper coil has a resistance of at what its resistance at ?
Take the temperature coefficient of copper is

5. Solution
HEAT AND ELECTRICAL POWER
Consider an electrical device k and let potential difference between A and B be V.
If Q is the charge passing through the ends in a time t then Q = It........... (1)
Total energy given out by the conductoris W = VQ ..................(2)
Substitute eg (1) into eq (2) we get
W= VIt ...... (3)
but workdone = electrical heat developed (H)
hence W= H =VIt ............(4)
Now V= IR so the eqn (4) becomes

6. KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS
Some circuits cannot be broken down into set of series and parallel combination of conductors.It is then necessary
to make use of generalized form of circuits laws already considered.These laws are known as Kirchhoff’s law
Kirchhoff’s first law:
The algebraic sumof current at any junction in the net work is zero
i.e. ∑ I = 0
A current is given a positive sign if it flows towards a junction and negative sign if it flows away from the junction.
From figure I above we have
Kirchhoff’s second law:
The algebraic sumof emf’s around the loop is equal to the algebraic sum of all potential differences in that circuit
i.e
RULES FOR FINDING POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE(pd) IN A LOOP
If the resistance is traversed in the direction of the current,the chage in potential is -IR in the opposite direction is
+IR
If a set of emf is traversed in the direction of emf the change in potential is +ve(+E) in the opposite direction it is(-E)

7. The choice of the direction of the traverse depend on yourself
Solution
Applying Kirchhoff’s laws in the clockwise direction we have

9. Qn.
Determine the magnitude of

11. The minus sign tells that the current is in of the site direction (from the one assumed)
Qn.
On the basis of Kirchhoff’s laws determine the numerical values for the current

12. Take the loop B E D C in clockwise direction.

13. POTENTIAL DIVIDER
The resistance box in series are often used to provide known fraction of a given potential difference

14. (iii) With load.

15. A resistor with a sliding contact can similarly be used as shown in figure (ii) to provide continuous variable potential
difference from zero to a full supply by value V0.
This is a convenient way of controlling the voltage applied to a load such as lump. The resistor of the load
R3 however acts in parallel with resistor R1 hence equation (1) is no longer true.
Qn.
What is the final potential difference between A and B in the direction circuit below (I) in the circuit as shown (II) if
an additional 5000Ω resistorwhere connected from A to B
Solution
(i) Final p.d between
OHM’S LAW FOR COMPLETE CIRCUIT

16. There exist certain device such as battery and electronic generators which are able to maintain a potential balance
between two points to which they are attached to devices are called a set of electromotive force put the normally
have some internal resistances.When the current flow through the battery setsup a p.d Ir across the internal
resistance.The resistor of resistance R which is connected to the battery is called the load.
OUT PUT AND AN EFFICIENCY
power generated by the source the current

17. WHEATSTONE BRIDGE:
- Wheat stone bridge is a circuit that enable resistance to be measured accurately:
Four resistors P, Q , R and S are joined as shown in the figure above
If P is the known resistor Q must be known as well as R and S or their ratio one or more of Q, R and S are
adjusted until there is no deflection on G, the bridge is then said to be balanced.
At balance point no current through G so p.d across BD=0 and p.d across AB=p.d across AD. Also current through
R = current through Current through p=current through

18. Qn.
A wire of length 1.1 meter and Radius is connected across the right gap of the metre bridge when a
resistance of 45 Ω is introduced in the left gap from a resistance box connected across it. The balance point is
obtained 0.6m from left side. Calculate the specific resistance (resistivity) of the material of the wire
Qn.
A and resistorare connected in series combination is connected across a 100v supply of
negligible internal resistance as shown in the figure below:

19. (i) What is the output voltage of the load resistance
(ii) What current resistance through the load resistor in (i) above.
I=21.15.
Solution