DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY

In an electric current,the matter which flows is the electric charge.Electric charge here
refers to the magnitude of the charge which is symbolized by Q with coulomb(C)as the unit, In
the discussion about static electricity. You have learned that a charge of 1 coulomb equals to
6.25 x1018 electrons.

An electric current flows because there is a potential difference (VAB). The current flows
from high (positive pole)to low(negative pole) electric potential.The potential difference is also
called voltage.

The amount of electric charges moving each second is called the electric current,
symbolized by I. The electric current is expressed by the equation:

Q
I=
t

Where :

I : electric current

Q : the amount of charge

t : time

How about the unit of the current? From the equation, the unit of the current (I) must be equal to
the unit of charge (Q) per unit of time (t). Therefore,

Q u nit coulomb(C) C
I unit = = ∨I unit =
t unit second (s) s

C/s unit has another term, namely ampere (A).Thus, the unit of the current is an ampere
(A) which is taken from Andre Marie Amperé, an important figure in electromagnetics.

The current which flows in a conductor is said to be 1 ampere if in every second, electric
charges which flow in the conductor is 1 coulomb.

Every device where both ends of the conductors have a potential difference is called an
electric cell or an electric source. In our daily life, an electric source can be in the form of a
battery, an acccumulator, a dynamo, a generator, or an electric source from the State Power
Company (PLN).The kinds of cells we are going to learn about are Volta elements, batteries, and
accumulators.Dynamos, generators, and PLN electricity are the topics you will study later.
 A. Ohm’s Law
George Simon Ohm (1789-1854), a German scientist, in his research discovered the
relationship between the potential differences of two conductors' ends and the current flowing
through them.
The electric current flow in a conductor is proportional to the potential differences in both
conductors' ends if the conductor is maintained at a constant temperature (Ohm's Law).
If resistensi is symbolized with R, the equation can be express ass :
V
R=
I
Where :
V : potensial differences between both conductors’ ends …………….Volt
I : current that flows …………….. Ampere
R : resistence …………….. Ohm

Example:

Current of 5 A is flowing through a resistance of 200 Ω. How much is the potential

difference between the two resistors' points?

Solution:

Known: R =200 Ω

I=5A

Asked: V =...?

Answer:

V=I.R

=5A . 200 Ω= 1,000 V

Thus, the potential difference between the two resistors' points is 1,000 V.

B. Electric Current in a Circuit ( Kirchoof’s Law )

Knowing the magnitude of an electric current flowing in a circuit is very important.

Generally, electric devices have limitations to amount ofelectric current that can pass through
them. The electric device will be broken if the electric current exceeds its limit. Therefore, we
need to know the details about currents in series or in parallel circuits. To have a better
understanding, do these following experiments.
 1. Currents in series circuits

Arrange a circuit of 3 lamps, L1, L2 and L3, in series, and connect it to an electric source
according to the diagram in Figure series circuit.
Figure 1. A series circuit.

In a series circuit, the current flowing everywhere is the same.

2. Currents in parallel circuits

Arrange the lamps in parallel and connect them to an electric source according to the
diagram in below

Figure 2. A parallel circuit.

The current entering a junction is equal to the current leaving that junction (Kirchhoff's
Law).

Example:

1. Pay attention to the following electric circuit and determine the unknown currents.
 Solution:

The current entering the circuit is 10 A and the conducting path splits into two: the one is
upward of 3 A and the other is I. This means the current of I 1 is 7 A. I1 splits into two:the straight
I2 and the one is downward of 4 A. Thus,the straight I 2 is 3 A. The I2 current meets the 3 A from
above, so it becomes I3. I3 is I2+ 3 A= 3A+ 3A = 6 A. I4 is the sum of I3 and 4 A. So, the current
of I4, is 6 A + 4 A = 10 A. I 4 splits into two: I5 is upward and 2 A is downward. Therefore, I, is
10 A - 2 A = 8 A.

C. Resistor in series and in Parallel

In electric circuits, resistors can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a combination of

the two. The installation of resistors in a circuit determines the resistance produced. By installing
several resistors, we can get more or less resistance to suit our needs. Let us analyze the
procedures for connecting resistors in a circuit and calculate the resistance produced.

1. Resistors in series

Two resistors are said to be alike if they have the same current at the same potential
difference.For example,the magnitude of resistor RA is 10 ohms. When it is given the potential
difference of 3 volts, it will produce a current of 0.3 amperes. It signifies that the resistor R B is
also 10 ohms if the resistor gives the current of 0.3 amperes and the potential difference of 3
volts. If RC is a circuit of several resistors that gives current of 0.3 amperes and potential
difference of 3.0 volts, these resistors also have a resistance of 10 ohms.

Look at Figure below

Figure Circuit of some resistors which are connected in series.

If two resistors or more give the same current at the same potential difference, the
resistance of the resistors is the same.

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 +….+ Rn

2. Resistors in parallel
Unlike the resistor in series, resistor in parallel willproduce less equivalent resistance.
Notice the following diagram. Connect this diagram with Ohm's Law and
Kirchhoffs Law.
According to Ohm's Law:

1 1 1 1 R
= + + + …+
R p R1 R2 R3 Rn

Where Rp = equivalent resistant of n resistors which are connected in parallel.