ELECTRIC CURRENT AND CIRCUITS

MYP – Lecture Notes

Dr. Belal Al Qassem

Mashrek International School
 Electric Current and Circuits

Electric Current, (I)

Electric current, I, is the rate of flow of electric charge.

𝑄 = 𝐼. 𝑡
Mathematically,
Q
𝑸
𝑰= I x t
𝒕
where Q is the amount of charge that passes through the conductor at any location during the time
interval t.

The unit of electric current is ampere (A):

1 A = 1 C/s

• the current flowing through a component in a circuit is measured using an ammeter

• the ammeter must be connected in series with the component

Note
• A current can flow in a complete (closed) circuit. Electric current cannot flow in an open
circuit (if there is a break in the circuit).
• The direction of the conventional current is that of positive charge flow. In a wire, it is
actually negatively charged electrons that move, so they flow in a direction opposite to the
conventional current.

• Positive conventional current always flows from a high potential to a low potential.

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Circuit diagrams
The signs or symbols used for various parts of an electric circuit are shown in the Figure below.

Voltage (Potential Difference)

A potential difference or a voltage across an electrical component is needed to make an

electric current flow in it. Cells or batteries often provide the potential difference needed.

I push the electrons around the circuit.

I do this by transferring my chemical energy from the ma
terials in the cell to electrical potential energy to the elec
trons.
When electrons pass through a lamp in the circuit they g
ive up (lose) some of the electrical potential energy to th
e thin wires in the lamp in the form of heat and light.

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 The Battery The conductor (like the
lamp)
It converts the chemical
energy into electrical energy. It converts the electrical
energy into other forms of
energy (such as light and
heat)
Electromotive Force

Is defined as the electrical

energy produced per unit Potential Difference /
charge. Voltage

The electrical energy

transferred into other forms
per unit charge.

Potential difference is often called voltage, and is defined as:

The electrical energy per unit charge.

𝑬
𝑽=
𝑸

• Potential difference is measured in volts, V

• The p.d. between two points in a circuit is 1 volt if 1 joule of electrical energy is transferred to
other forms of energy when 1 coulomb passes from one point to the other.
• The potential difference across a component in a circuit is measured using a voltmeter
• The voltmeter must be connected in parallel with the component

Ohm’s Law: Resistance and Resistors

Ohm’s Law

Provided the physical conditions such as temperature are kept constant, the resistance is constant
over a wide range of applied potential differences, and therefore

The potential difference is directly proportional to the current flowing.

𝑉∝𝐼

Resistance R

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The resistance R of a device is defined by the relation

𝑽 = 𝑰𝑹
or

𝑽
𝑹=
𝑰
where I is the current in the device when a potential difference V is applied across it.

• When we draw a diagram of a circuit, we use the symbol

or
to indicate a resistance.

• The unit of resistance is Ohm () where

1  = 1 V/A

Note

• Ohm found experimentally that in metal conductor R is constant independent of V, a result

known as Ohm’s law.
• The equation 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 is itself sometimes called Ohm’s law, but only when referring to
materials or devices for which R is a constant independent of V.
• Ohm’s “law” is not a fundamental law, but rather a description of a certain class of materials:
metal conductors.
• Materials or devices that do not follow Ohm’s law (R = constant) like diods, vacuum tubes,
transistors, etc, are said to be nonohmic.

Why is there a resistance in the conductors?

• Electric current is the flow of electrons.

• As these electrons flow around a circuit they bump into the atom
s in the conducting wire and electrical components.
• These constant collisions make it difficult for the current to flow
or in other words resist the electrical current.
• The electrons loss energy and atoms gain energy and vibrate faster. Faster vibrations
mean a higher temperature

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Ohmic and non-ohmic Behavior
The graphs below show how the current varies with potential difference for some typical devices.

If current and potential difference are proportional (like the metal at constant temperature) the
device is said to be ohmic. Devices where current and potential difference are not proportional (like
the filament lamp or the diode) are said to be non-ohmic

Q. The graph below shows the current/voltage characteristics of a filament lamp.

24

16
–3
Current / × 10 A
8

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Voltage / V

The resistance of the filament at 4.0 V is

A. 250 Ω. 𝑉 4
𝑅= = = 250 Ω
𝐼 16 × 10−3
B. 4 000 Ω.

C. 8 000 Ω.

D. 64 000 Ω.

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Resistivity

It is found experimentally that the resistance R of any wire is: L

1) Directly proportional to its length (L) A
2) Inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area (A).
3) Depends on the material
4) Depends on temperature
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
As a result,
𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 (𝑟) =
𝑳 𝑅𝐴 2
𝑹=𝝆 → 𝜌=
𝑨 𝐿

where , the constant of proportionality, is called the resistivity and depends on the material used.

• The unit of  is (.m)

The resistivity of copper is 1.68 × 10−8 Ω m. Calculate the length of a copper wire of
Q)
diameter 4.00 mm that has a resistance of 5.00 Ω.
𝜌 = 1.68 × 10−8 Ω. 𝑚, 𝐷 = 4 𝑚𝑚 → 𝑟 = 2 𝑚𝑚, 𝑅 = 5Ω, 𝐿 =?

𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 𝝆𝑳
𝑹=
𝑨
𝐴 = 𝜋(2 × 10−3 )2 1.68 × 10−8 × 𝐿
5= → 𝐿 = 3720 𝑚
𝐴 = 1.25 × 10−5 𝑚2 12.5 × 10−6

Q) Suppose a wire of resistance R could be stretched uniformly until it was twice its original
length. What would happen to its resistance? Assume the amount of material, and therefore
its volume, change.L
2L
A
A2

𝑳. 𝑨 = 𝟐𝑳. 𝑨𝟐 𝜌𝐿 𝜌(2𝐿) 𝜌𝐿
𝑅= = = 4.
𝐴 𝐴/2 𝐴
𝐴
𝐴2 = Increased by a factor 4.
2

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Electric Energy (E)
If E (joules) is the energy transferred (i.e. the work done) when charge Q (coulombs) passes
between two points, the p.d. V (volts) between the points is given by
𝑬 = 𝑽. 𝑸
But
𝑄 = 𝐼. 𝑡
➔
𝑬 = 𝑽. 𝑰. 𝒕

We can use V = IR, or I = V/R, to rewrite the formula for power in equivalent ways:

𝑬 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 𝒕 𝐸 𝑉. 𝐼. 𝑡
𝑃= = = 𝑉. 𝐼
or 𝑡 𝑡

𝑽𝟐
𝑬= 𝒕
𝑹

Electrical Power (P)

The electric power, which is the rate energy is transformed, is given by

𝐸
𝑃=
𝑡
Which can be written as the product of current and voltage, i.e,
𝑷 = 𝑰𝑽
which for resistors can be written as
𝑷 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹
or
𝑽𝟐
𝑷=
𝑹

• The unit of P is watt (W).

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 V1 V2 V3
Resistors in Series
1 Rs

• Same current
• Voltage divides.

Vtot
Connecting resistors in series means that there are no junctions in the wire connecting any two
resistors and so the current through all of them is the same. Let I be the common current in the
three resistors R1, R2, and R3.
• The current must be the same everywhere in the circuit since charge is conserved.
• The voltage divides.
i.e., The total potential difference is shared among the components, so the total p.d. Vtotal across
the arrangement is:
𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3
But V = IR, so
𝐼 𝑅𝑠 = 𝐼 𝑅1 + 𝐼 𝑅2 + 𝐼 𝑅3
𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼3 =𝐼
➔

𝑹𝒔 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑 + ⋯
Note
• Rs is greater than the greatest resistance.

Resistors in Parallel • Same Voltage

• Current divides.

Consider three resistors R1 R2 R3 with the same p.d. (V) across

each of them.
It can be written:
𝑰𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑰𝟑
Junction
But I = V/R, so
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 Kirchhoff’s 1st law:
= + +
𝑅𝑝 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
The total electric current
➔ entering a junction equals the
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 total electric current leaving it.
= + + +⋯
𝑹𝒑 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

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Example
If R1 = 3, R2 = 4, R3 = 12, Find the total resistance if they are connected in para
llel.

Solution
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +
𝑹𝒑 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +
𝑹𝒑 𝟑 𝟒 𝟏𝟐
𝟏 𝟒 𝟑 𝟏 𝟖
= + + =
𝑹𝒑 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟐
𝟏𝟐
𝑹𝒑 = = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝛀
𝟖

Note
• Rp is lower than the lowest resistance.

Special Cases:

1. For TWO resistors connected in parallel:

𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
𝑹𝒑 =
𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐
2. For TWO IDENTICAL resistors connected in parallel: R1 = R2

𝑹
𝑹𝒑 =
𝟐

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Example

If R1 = 3 and R2 = 6 , and they are connected in parallel, Find the total

resistance.

𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
𝑹𝒑 =
𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐

3 × 6 18
𝑅𝑝 = = = 2Ω
3+6 9

Or

1 1 1
= +
𝑅𝑝 3 6

1 2 1 3
= + =
𝑅𝑝 6 6 6

6
𝑅𝑝 = = 2Ω
3

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Rheostat
Used as
• variable resistor.
• Potential divider.

𝜌𝐿
𝑅=
𝐴

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.1. A digital watch is powered by a 1.3 V cell. The cell supplies a current of 4.1 × 10–5 A
(0.000041 A) for 1.6 × 107 s.

Calculate

(a) the charge that passes through the cell in this time,
𝑸 = 𝑰. 𝒕 = 4.1 × 10−5 × 1.6 × 107 = 656 𝐶

(b) The resistance of the electrical circuit in the watch.

𝑽 1.3
𝑹= = = 31707Ω
𝑰 4.1 × 10−5

(c) The output power of the cell.

𝑷 = 𝑽. 𝑰 = 1.3 × 4.1 × 10−5 = 5.33 × 10−5 𝑾

2. (a) In the circuit below, lamps P and Q are identical. The reading on the ammeter is
3A. The cell shown is of emf 6V.
6V
+ -

A
P
Q

Calculate the current that passes through lamp P.

I = 3/2 = 1.5 A

(b) If a voltmeter was connected across lamp P, state what would it read?
6 V (In parallel, the voltage stays the same).

(c) Calculate the resistance of lamp P.

𝑽 6
𝑹= = = 4Ω
𝑰 1.5

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3. (a) Resistors of 5 ohms and 10 ohms are connected in series with a battery supplying
3 volts.

Calculate the total resistance?

𝑅𝑠 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2

𝑅𝑠 = 5 + 10 = 𝟏𝟓𝛀

(b) Calculate the current which flows in the circuit.

𝑉 3
𝐼= = = 0.2 𝐴
𝑅 15

4. (a) Resistors of 2 ohms and 4 ohms are connected in parallel across a battery
supplying 6 volts.
Another resistor of 5 ohms is connected in series with the battery. Draw the
circuit.

1.33  2
5 1.33  5
4

6V

(b) Calculate the total resistance in the circuit.

𝑅1 𝑅2 2×4 8
𝑅𝑝 = = = = 1.33 Ω
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 2 + 4 6

𝑅𝑠 = 1.33 + 5 = 6.33 Ω

(c) Calculate the current flowing through the 5 ohm resistor.

𝑉 6
𝐼= = = 0.95 𝐴
𝑅 6.33

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5 Fig. 8.1 shows two electrical circuits

The batteries in circuit 1 and circuit 2 are identical.

(a) Put ticks in the table below to describe the connections of the two resistors P and Q.
Series Parallel
Circuit 1 
Circuit 2 
(b) The resistors P and Q are used as small electrical heaters.
State two advantages of connecting them as shown in circuit 2.
1. Same Voltage
2. If one of the heater is not working, it will not affect the other heater, but if they
are connected in series, and one of the heaters is off, the other one will be off.
(c) In circuit 1, the ammeter reads 1.2 A when the switch is closed.
Calculate the reading of the voltmeter in this circuit.
𝑅𝑠 = 4 + 6 = 10 Ω
𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 = 1.2 × 10 = 12 𝑉
(d) The two switches in circuit 2 are closed. Calculate the combined resistance of the two
resistors in this circuit.
𝑅1 𝑅2 6 × 4 24
𝑅𝑝 = = = = 2.4 Ω
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 6 + 4 10
(e) When the switches are closed in circuit 2, ammeter 1 reads 5 A and ammeter 2 reads 2 A.
Calculate
(i) the current in resistor P,
𝑰𝒑 = 𝟓 − 𝟐 = 𝟑 𝑨

(ii) the power supplied to resistor Q,

𝑷 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 = 𝟐𝟐 × 𝟔 = 𝟐𝟒 𝑾

(iii) the energy transformed in resistor Q in 300 s.

𝐸 = 𝑃. 𝑡 = 24 × 300 = 7200 𝐽

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 Reverse the polarity

The Electric Current

15 

15 

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 Voltmeter

𝑉 6
𝐼= = = 0.4 𝐴
𝑅 15

𝐼 = 0.4 𝐴

The current increases.

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 V

zero

12 V

𝑅𝑠 = 16 + 8 = 24 Ω
𝑉 12
𝐼= = = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝑨
𝑅 24

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 = 0.5 × 8 = 4 𝑉

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 𝑅1 𝑅2 16 × 8
𝑅𝑝 = = = 5.33 Ω
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 16 + 8
𝑉 12
𝐼= = = 2.2 𝐴
𝑅 5.33

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 2:1

2+1=3

1/3 x 12 = 4

2/3 x 12 = 8

The voltage will be divided between the 2 and 4  resistors. (Ratio 1:2)
The voltage across the 2  will be:
1
× 12 = 4 𝑉
3

12 V

𝑅𝑠 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 = 2 + 4 = 6Ω

𝑅1 𝑅2 3 × 6 18
𝑅𝑝 = = = = 𝟐𝛀
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 3 + 6 9

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 𝑉 12
𝐼= = =𝟔𝑨
𝑅 2

No Effect

The reading of the Ammeter decreases to 2 A

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 A

𝑉 8
𝑅= = = 160 Ω
𝐼 50 × 10−3

50 mA (same Current, connected in series)

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 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 + 𝐼3

𝐼1 = 𝐼4

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 = 0.8 × 3 = 2.4 𝑉

In Parallel, the voltage stays the same.

𝑉 2.4
𝐼= = = 1.2 𝐴
𝑅 2

𝐼4 = 0.8 + 1.2 = 2 𝐴
𝑉 = 6 − 2.4 = 3.6 𝑉
𝑉 3.6
𝑅= = = 1.8Ω
𝐼 2

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 𝜌𝐿
𝑅= = 0.45Ω
𝐴
𝐿
𝜌( ) 2𝜌𝐿 2
𝑅2 = 3 = = × 0.45 = 0.30 Ω
𝐴 3𝐴 3
( )
2

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 𝑅1 𝑅2 3×1 3
𝑅𝑝 = = =
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 3 + 1 4
3
𝑅𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = + 2 = 2.75 Ω
4

𝐼1 = 𝐼4
𝐼2 + 𝐼3 = 𝐼4

𝑉1 = 𝑉4
𝑉2 + 𝑉3 = 𝑉4

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