CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Common Circuit symbols for electric component

Cell

Two cells

battery

switch

Resistor

A Ammeter

V Voltmeter

Thermistor

Variable resistor

Diode

or Lamp or bulb

Connecting wire

Crossing connecting wires

Connecting wires with a junction

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Electric Current
This is the rate of flow of the electric charges. The standard symbol for current is I. The electric charge is
denoted by Q and its SI unit is Coulombs (C).
The SI unit for electric current is amperes and denoted by A. The instrument used to measure the electric
current is called the ammeter.
The symbol for the ammeter is as follows

The other units for the electric current are:

 Milliamperes (mA): 1mA = 10-3A
 Microamperes (µA): 1µA=10-6A
 Kiloamperes (kA): 1kA = 103A
Relationship between charge andelectric current
The relationship between charge and electric current is given by the following equation:
Q=I×t where Q = charge measured in Coulombs (C).
I = electric current measured in amperes (A).
t= time measured in seconds (s).
Note: 1 A =1C /s
Examples
1. If a charge of 180C flows through a lamp every 2 minutes calculate the electric current passing
through the lamp.
Data: Q= 180C; t = 2minutes =2 × 60s = 120s; I-?
Equation: Q = I × t
Substitution: 180C = I × 120s
180C ÷ 120s = I
I= 1.5A
2. Calculate the quantity of charge passing through a lamp if current of 5A passes through a lamp
for 30s.
Data: I= 5A; t = 3s; Q-?
Equation: Q = I × t
Substitution: Q = 5A × 3s
Q= 150C
3. Calculate the time taken by the battery to drive 300C of charges through a 15A bulb.
Data: Q =300C; I =15A; t -?
Equation: Q = I × t
Substitution: 300C = 15A × t
300C = 15A × t
300C ÷ 15A = t
t = 20s
4. Convert the following electric current to amperes.
a) 500mA
1A: 1000mA
I : 500mA

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 I × 1000mA = 500mA × 1A
I = (500mA × 1A) ÷ 1000mA
I = 0.5A
b) 25000µA
1A: 106µA
I: 25000µA
I × 106µA= 25000µA × 1A
I = (25000µA × 1A) ÷ 106µA
I =2.5 × 10-2A
Electric current direction
The direction of electric current is represented by an arrow marked in a circuit. The two types of electric
current direction are:
 Convectional current direction: the flow of positive charges from the positive terminal towards
the negative terminal round the circuit.
 Electron flow: the flow of negative charges from the negative terminal towards the positive
terminal round the circuit.

Convectional current Electron flow

Electric current in a series circuit

I A
A1 A2
I1 I2
In a series circuit the electric current is the same at every point i.e.
I = I 1 = I2
Electric current in a parallel circuit

I A

A1
I1
A2
3
I2
In a parallel circuit the electric current divides at the junction such as the total current provided by the
power supply is equal to the sum of individual current in the paths i.e.
I = I 1 + I2
Examples
1. Calculate the currents I1 and I2 in the circuit diagram below.

I= 0.6A A

A1 A2
I1 I2
Since this is a series circuit i.e.I = I1 = I2and I= 0.6A then
I1 =0.6A and I2= 0.6A.
2. Calculate the currents I2 in the circuit diagram below.

I=0.5A A

A1
I1=0.3A

A2

I2

I= I1 + I2
0.5A= 0.3A + I2
I2 =0.5A- 0.3A
I2 = 0.2A
Voltage
Two types of voltage are:
(a) Electromotive force
(b) Potential difference
(a) Electromotive force (emf)
This is the energy (work done) required to drive a unit charge around the circuit (from one
terminal of the power supply to the other opposite terminal).It is measured in volts (V) using a
voltmeter.It is calculated using the equation:
V=E/Q where V = electromotive force in Volts(V)
E = energy transferred (work done) in Joules (J)
Q = charge in Coulombs (C).

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 But Q = I × thence substituting Q, we get;
V = E ÷ (I × t)
Therefore E = V × I × t
Note: the voltmeter must always be connected across (parallel to) the electric component e.g.
battery or lamp etc.
(b) Potential difference (pd)
This is the energy (work done) required to drive a unit charge across a conductor e.g. a bulb. It is
measured in volts (V) using a voltmeter. It is measured in volts (V) using a voltmeter. It is
calculated using the equation:
V=E÷Q where V = potential difference in Volts (V)
E = energy transferred (work done) in Joules (J)
Q = charge in Coulombs (C).
But Q = I × t hence substituting Q, we get;
V = E ÷ (I × t)
Therefore E = V × I × t
Examples
1. Calculate the total energy transferred to 100 C of charge when they pass through a battery of emf
12 V.
Data: Q= 100 C; V = 12 V; E-?
Equation: V = E÷ Q or E = V×Q
Substitution: 12 V = E ÷ 100 C
12 V ×100 C = E
E = 1200 J or 1.2 × 103 J
2. A cell supplies 9 J of energy to 6 C of charge. Calculate the voltage of the cell.
Data: E = 9 J; Q = 6 C; V-?
Equation: V= E÷ Q
Substitution: V = 9 J ÷ 6 C
V = 1.5 J / C
V = 1.5V
3. Determine the amount of charge passing through a 240 V heaterconverting 24 000 J of electrical
energy to heat energy.
Data: E = 24 000 J; V = 240 V;Q -?
Equation: V= E÷ Q
Substitution:240 V = 24 000 J ÷ Q
Q = 24 000 J ÷ 240 V
Q = 100 J / V
Q =100 C

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Potential difference (p.d) in a series circuit
V

I A

A1 A2
I1 I2
V1 V2

In a series circuit the potential difference (p.d) or voltage at the terminals of power supply is equal to the
sum of the potential differences (p.ds) or voltages across the devices in the external circuit from one
terminal of power supply to the other i.e.
V = V1 + V2
Potential difference (p.d) in a parallel circuit
V

A
V1

A1
I1

A2

I2
V2

In a parallel circuit: Potential differences (p.ds) or voltages across the devices in parallel are the same i.e.
V = V1 =V2

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Examples
1. A 9 V battery is connected to a bulb and resistor as shown below.
9 V battery

V1=3V V2

Determine the p.d , V2 across the resistor

Data: V = 9 V; V1 = 3 V; V2-?
Equation: V = V1 + V2
Substitution: 9 V = 3 V + V2
9 V – 3 V = V2
V2 = 6 V
2. A12 V battery is connected to two un-identical lamps bulbs and resistor as shown below
12 V battery

V1

V2=3V V3

Determine the following

(a) potential difference, V1 across the first bulb
thep.d across devices in a parallelcircuit are equal therefore
V1= 12 V

(b) potential difference, V3 across the resistor

V = V 2 + V3
12 V = 3 V +V3
V3 = 12 V – 3 V
V3 = 9 V

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Resistance
This is the opposition of current flow through a conductor.
Good conductors of electricity have low resistance while poor conductors of electricity have high
resistance.
The SI unit for resistance is ohms (Ω).
The resistance of an electric device is calculated using the equation:
R=V/I where R = resistance in ohms (Ω).
V = Potential difference (p.d) in volts (V).
I = Current in amperes (A).
Ohm’s Law states that the current through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference
across it provided the temperature of the conductor remains constant.
Examples
1. A current of 4A flows through a car headlamp when connected to a 12V car battery, providing a
voltage of 12V across the lamp.
Calculate its resistance.
Solution:
Data: I = 4A; V = 12V; R-?
Equation: R = V / I
Substitution: R = 12V ÷ 4A
R = 3Ω.
2. Calculate the potential difference (p.d) needed to drive a current of 0.2A through a torch lamp of
resistance 22.5Ω.
Solution:
Data: I = 0.2A; R = 22.5Ω; V-?
Equation: R = V / I
Substitution: 22.5Ω = V ÷ 0.2A
22.5Ω × 0.2A = V
V = 4.5V
Experimental determination of the resistance of a conductor
Apparatus:
 Ammeter
 Voltmeter
 Variable resistor (rheostat)
 Fixed resistor
 Connecting wires
 Battery
Set up:

8 A

I
V
Procedure:
 Arrange the apparatus as shown above.
 Close the switch, adjust the rheostat until a suitable current, I, is recorded on the ammeter.
 Record the readings of current, I and potential difference, V to get at least five sets of suitable
readings (0.0A < I < 1.0A).
 Tabulate the results and calculate the values of R, using R = V /I.
 Plot a graph of V against I.
 Draw the conclusion.
Results and Analysis:
Current, I / A Potential difference, Resistance, R /Ω
V /V
0.2 1.0 5.0
0.4 2.0 5.0
0.6 3.0 5.0
0.8 4.0 5.0
1.0 5.0 5.0

V-I graph

Y2 5.0

V/V

Y1 0
0 1.0

I/A
X1 X2
Gradient calculation
Gradient = (Y2 -Y1) ÷ (X2 -X1)
= (5.0V – 0.0V) ÷ (1.0 A– 0.0A)
= 5.0V – 1.0 A
= 5.0Ω (resistance)
Note:
 The resistance of a conductor is equivalent to the gradient of a V-I graph.

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  The steeper the gradient of a V-I graph, the greater the resistance a conductor have.
Factors affecting the resistance of a conductor (wire)
The resistance of a wire (conductor) depends on the following:
 Length of a wire: The longer the wire the greater the resistance and the shorter the wire the less
the resistance.
 Cross sectional area: the bigger the cross sectional area of the wire (or the thicker the wire) the
less the resistance and vice versa.
 Resistivity of a material: The greater the resistivity of the wire the greater the resistance and
vice versa.
 Temperature:
i. For metal conductors, the resistance increases as temperature increases.
ii. For semiconductors, the resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Note:
(i) Resistance is directly proportional to the length, l of a wire i.e.
Rαl
(ii) Resistance is indirectly proportional to the cross sectional area, A of a wire i.e.
R α (1/ A)
Combining (i) and ( ii) we get R α (l / A) i.e.
ρl
R= where R = resistance in Ω
A
ρ = resistivity in Ωm
l= length in m.
A = cross sectional area in m2
Resistance in a series circuit
V

V3 R3 R1 V1

R1

V2

In a series circuit: the total resistance, RT of two or more resistors in series is simply the sum of the
individual resistances of the resistors i.e.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3

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Resistance in a parallel circuit
V

I R1
I1

V1
I2
R2

V2
In a parallel circuit: the total resistance, RT of two or more resistors in parallel is given by the following
equation:
1 1 1 R1× R2
= + OR RT =
R T R1 R2 R1 + R2
V-I graphs
These are obtained by plotting values of current, I (in y-axis) against potential differences (p.d), V (x-
axis).
Types of V-I graphs
(i) V-I graphs for ohmic conductors
(ii) V-I graphs for non-ohmic conductors
V-I graphs for ohmic conductors
Ohmic conductors: These are conductors which obey Ohm’s law i.e.
The current through the conductor is directly proportional to the potential differences (p.d) across is ends
provided its temperature remains the same. I α V.
V-I graphs for ohmic conductors are straight lines passing through the origin (0, 0).
V-I graph for an ohmic conductor

V/V

0 I/A

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Non-ohmic conductors
These are conductors which do not obey Ohm’s law i.e.
The current through the conductor is not directly proportional to the potential differences (p.d) across is
ends i.e. they have non-linear I α V relationship.
Examples of non-ohmic conductors are:
 Filament bulb: V-I graph bends up as V and I increase as shown in Fig. a) below. That is the
resistance (V/I) increases as I increases hence make the filament hotter.Explanation: the
steepness (gradient) of V-I graph as I increases.
 Thermistor: The resistance of a thermistor decreases if its temperature increases i.e. its V-I
graph bends down as V and I increase as shown in Fig. b) below.
 Diode: The resistance is very low for p.d is applied in one direction and very high when p.d is
reversed as shown in Fig. c) below.
V-I graphs for non-ohmic conductors

V/V V/V V/V

0 I/A 0 0 I/A
I/A
Fig. a) Fig. b)
Fig. c)
Voltage (Potential difference) across resistors in series circuit
The total voltage is shared by the resistors according to ratio of the resistance of resistors in a series
circuit i.e. R1:R2:R3.
The current flow at every point in a series circuit i.e. I = I1 =I2 =I3.

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 V

V3 R3 R1 V1

R2

V2

Voltage (potential difference, p.d), V1 across R1, is calculated by

V1=R1/ (R1+R2 + R3) ×VOR V1= (R1/RT) × V where RT=R1+R2+R3
Voltage (potential difference, p.d), V2 across R2, is calculated by
V2=R2/ (R1+R2+ R3) ×VOR V2= (R2/RT) × V where RT=R1+R2+ R3
Voltage (potential difference, p.d), V3 across R3, is calculated by
V3=R3/ (R1+R2+ R3) ×VOR V3= (R3/RT) × V where RT=R1+R2+ R3
Note: I = (V/ RT) = (V1/R1) = (V2/R2) = (V3/R3)
Examples
1. Calculate the p.d (voltage) both resistors on circuit shown below if the voltmeter, V reads 12V.
V

V3 2Ω 2Ω V1

2Ω

V2

i) P.d across the first 2Ω resistor is

V1= (R1/RT) × V
= (2Ω /6Ω) × 12V
= 4V
ii) P.d across the second 2Ω resistor is
V2=(R2/RT) × V

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 = (2Ω /6Ω) × 12V
= 4V
iii) P.d across the first 2Ω resistor is
V3= (R3/RT) × V
= (2Ω /6Ω) × 12V
= 4V
Note: the p.d across R1, R2 and R3 are the same since the resistors have the equal resistance i.e.
V1= V2 =V3 since R1= R2 =R3

2. Calculate the p.d (voltage) both resistors on circuit shown below if the voltmeter, V reads 12V.
V

V3 2Ω 6Ω V1

4Ω

V2
i) P.d across the first 2Ω resistor is
V1= (R1/RT) × V
= (2Ω /12Ω) × 12 = 2V
ii) P.d across the second 4Ω resistor is
V2= (R2/RT) × V
= (4Ω /12Ω) × 12 = 4V
iii) P.d across the first 6Ω resistor is
V3= (R3/RT) × V
= (6Ω /12Ω) × 12V = 6V
Note: the p.d across R1 is less than that of R2 and R3 since the have the equal resistance of resistor, R1 is
less than that of R2 and R3 i.e.V1< V2<V3 since R1< R2<R3
Voltage (Potential difference) across resistors in a parallel circuit
The voltage across the power supply is equal to the voltage across each resistor in a parallel circuit i.e.
V

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IT R1
I1
V=V1 =V2
But the total current from the power supply is equal to the sum of the individual current flow through
each resistor i.e.
IT =I1 + I2
Note:
 The current flow through individual resistors in a parallel circuit will equal if both resistors have
equal resistance i.e.
I1 = I2 since R1 = R2
 The current flow through individual resistors in a parallel circuit will different if the resistors
have different resistances i.e.
I1< I2 since R1> R2or I1> I2 since R1< R2
Practical Electric Circuitry
Heating effects of electric current
This refers to changing electric energy to heat energy, for example in:
 Electric heaters
 Electric cookers
 Electric ovens
 Electric kettles
 Electric irons
 Electric lamps
How does this happen?
Heat is produced when current passes through a resistor, thus a wire must have a high resistance i.e.
the greater the resistance the hotter the object becomes.
That’s why the filament of bulbs or element of heaters etc. are made of thin wires that becomes red
hot when the electric current is switched on.
Other uses of electric current
There are some of the many uses of electric current (electricity) such as for:
 Lighting
 Communication
 In operation of machines e.g. cars
 Security e.g. alarms etc.
Electrical Power and Energy

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The electrical power of an electrical appliance is given by:
P = VI where P = power in watts (W)
V = potential difference in volts (V)
I = current in amperes (A)
The electrical energy converted to heat energy or other forms of energy by an appliance is given by:
E=P×t
But P = VI
Therefore E =VIt
Since Q = It
Then E = VQ
Also since V = IR
Then E= I2Rt
But also I =V/ R
Hence E = (V2/R) × t

Examples
1. Which type of lamp in the table below has the greatest resistance?
Type of lamp Voltage across lamp Current through iamp
A Torch lamp 2.5V 0.5A
B Car head lamp 12V 3.0 A
C Projector lamp 110V 3.0 A
D House lamp 240V 0.4 A
2. An electrical kettle has this information on its back cover; 3000W, 240V. How much much
electrical energy is converted to heat energy when the kettle is operated for 30s.
A. 8J
B. 100J
C. 7200J
D. 90 000J
The Cost of Electricity Consumption
Electrical companies such as Botswana Power Cooperation (i.e. BPC) measure the electrical energy
consumption using the SI unit kilowatt-hour (kWh), rather than Watts-second.
Note: 1 unit =1kWh = 1000W × 60mins/h × 60s/min
= 1000W × 3600s = 3 600 000Ws
= 3.6 × 106J
One kilowatt-hour (1kWh) is the energy supplied when an electrical appliance with a power rate of 1kW
is used for one hour.
Energy transferred (in kWh) = power (in W) × time (in h)
The electrical energy cost is calculated as follows:
Energy cost = Energy transferred (in kWh) × Cost per kWh
Examples
1. A radio is labeled 240V, 60W. The cost of electricity is 50 thebe per kilowatt-hour. How much
will it cost to use the radio 5 hours a day for 10 days?
Solution:
Data: Power = 60W = 60W × (1kW÷ 1000W) = 0.06kW; time = 10 days × 5h /day = 50h
Energy transferred-?

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 Equation: Energy transferred = power × time
Substitution: Energy transferred = 0.06kW × 50h = 3.0kWh
Therefore: Energy cost = Energy transferred × Energy cost per kWh
= 3.0kWh × 50 thebe /kWh
= 150 thebe = P1.50
2. The kettle has a power of 2000W (2kW). It is used to heat water for 900s (0.25h).
a) Calculate the electrical energy supplied during this period in Joules.
Solution:
Data: P =2000W; t = 900s; E-?
Equation: E = P × t
Substitution: E = 2000W × 900s =1 800 000J
= 1.8 × 106J
b) How much units of electricity are used?
Solution:
Data: P =2kW; t = 0.25h; E-?
Electrical Hazards and Safe Use of Electricity
Electrical Hazards
These are conditions and situations that make the use of electricity unsafe or dangerous.
The main electrical hazards are:
i. Damaged insulation:
The live wire may be in contact with the body of the electric appliances and cause
electrical shock when the person touches the appliances.
ii. Overheating of cables:
This can cause melting of insulation of cables. Excess heat can also cause fire.
iii. Damp conditions:
Wet insulators conduct electricity since water is a good conductor of electricity. Hence
touching switches with wet or damp hands or cloth can cause electric current flow
through your body, therefore leading to severe burning or heart attack due to electric
shock.
iv. Overloading of sockets:
This is putting too many appliances in one main socket. If all appliances are used at once,
there will a large current flow, which causes overheating of electric cables, leading to fire
outbreak.
Electrical Safety
These are preventative measures that make the use of electricity safe such as:
 Fuse
 Double insulation
 Earth wire
Fuse
The symbol for the fuse is as follows:

Function of the fuse

It is used to protect the electrical appliance from excessive current.
How the fuse works?

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A fuse is made of a wire (from a material with low melting point). The fuse melts and breaks the circuit
when there is excess current flow in the circuit. Hence lead to no current flow to the appliance as the
circuit will be incomplete.
Note:The fuses must be connected to the live wire. This ensures that when the fuse melts, the electrical
appliance is isolated from the live terminal.
Fuse Ratings
The fuse rating indicates the maximum current that can pass through it without melting it.The common
fuse ratings are: 1A, 3A, 5A and 13A fuses. A fuse rated 3A will melt when a current more than 3A flows
through it.
Note: The value printed on the fuse should always be more than the actual current drawn by the
appliance, but as close as possible.
Choosing the suitable fuse for an appliances
The suitable fuse rate for an appliance is the one with a current slightly larger than the normal current
flow needed for an appliance e.g. if the normal current flow is 2A, then a 3A fuse is chosen.
Note: If the fuse selected has a;
 Too low fuse rating, it will melt (or blow) and create a short circuit even when there is no fault or
when there is normal current flow through an appliance.
 Too high fuse rating, it will not protect an appliance when there is too large current flow through
it.
Examples
1. Determine the suitable fuse rating for an electric fan rated at 240V, 3kW.
Data: V=240V; P= 3kW= 3000W; I-?
Equation:
Substitution:
Therefore the fuse rated 13A is needed.
2. Determine the suitable fuse rating for an electric hair drier rated at 230V, 1000W.
Data: V=230V; P= 1000W; I-?
Equation:
Substitution:
Therefore the fuse rated 5A is needed.
Earth wire
Electrical appliances are earthed by connecting the earth wire from the metal casing (body) of the
appliance to the ground.
Function: safety and prevention of electrical shocks.

How it works:
When there electric fault such as a live wire accidentally touching metal casing of the appliance, the earth
wire will create a path of very large current flow from the appliance to the ground and lead to melting
(blowing) of the fuse hence creating a short circuit.
Double insulation
The double insulation substitutes for earth wire. Here connection to the power supply is by two wires only
i.e. live and neutral only.
Symbol for double insulation:
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 The appliances which use double insulation have non-metallic casing (body) such as radios, cellphones
Three Mains Plug
The diagram below shows a correctly wired three mains plug.

The three mains plug has three pins connected three wires namely:
 Live wire (is brown): This is most dangerous which wire carries alternating current (a.c) at a
high voltage from the mains to the appliance.
 Neutral wire (is blue): This wire carries electric current from the appliance to the mains. The
voltage is zero in the neutral wire. It completes a circuit.
 Earth wire (is green or green with yellow stripes): It carries leakage electric current from the
metal casing of appliance to the ground when there is an electric fault.
Ring main circuit
In the house there are usually two or three ring main circuits, which supply all the wall sockets.
All wall sockets are connected parallel to each other so that the full mains voltage is supplied to
everything plugged in to the sockets.

fuse
I
Live wire
Earth wire
a.c 240V

Neutral wire I
Advantage of using the ring main circuit
A ring main circuit allows current flow in two ways to a particular socket.

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Cookers, immersion heater or electric shower heater use large current so they have their own circuits.
That’s why they have their own separate switches.
Lighting circuit
Lights for the house have their own circuit as shown in the diagram below.
Each lamp is connected in parallel so that it,
 Can receive maximum voltage.
 Can use small current (so that many bulbs can be operated by a 5A fuse).

Live wire
fuse
I

a.c 240V
Diagnostic steps to follow when there is an electric fault in an appliance
 Switch OFF, the powerI supply if the person is shocked is still touching the appliance.
Neutral wire
 Ask for a qualified medical assistant.
 If breathing has stopped, apply the mouth to mouth respiration.
 If the heart has stopped, restart by pressing the chest three times over the heart.
Examples
1. In a main plug, which wire, live, neutral or earth
a) Has a brown color code
b) Is a safety wire
c) Has a blue color code
d) Has a yellow and green color code

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