ELECTRICITY

Electricity is the flow of current or electrons in an electric circuit. Substances that allow
electrons to flow freely are called conductors and those that don't are called insulators.

TYPES OF ELECTRICITY
There are two types of electric current these being static electricity and dynamic
electricity.
Static electricity: This is electricity that does not flow, it is static electricity that
causes two bodies to stick together (positively and negatively charged bodies). Static
electricity is normally produced by friction and cannot be taken from one place to
another.
Dynamic electricity: This is the electricity that flows in conductors. In our study will
focus much on dynamic electricity.

MATTER
Matter is anything that occupies space and has weight or mass. Matter can be
divided into three classes these being solids, liquids and gasses. Matter is made up
of molecules, which can be further divided into small blocks known as atoms.
An atom is the smallest particle of an element that can take part in a chemical
reaction. An atom consists of the following
Nucleus: this is the central part of an atom that consists of the neutrons (no charge)
and protons which are positively charged.
Electrons: these are negatively charged particles that surround the nucleus.

An atom

Electricity is therefore defined as the flow of electrons; there is a force of attraction

that exists between the nucleus (protons which are positively charged) and the
electrons which are negatively charged. In conductors the force of attraction between
electrons and protons is weak hence electrons can easily move while in insulators
the force of attraction between the electrons and protons is very high hence
electrons cannot easily move.

IONISATION
Ionisation is the process by which an atom gains or losses an electron. An atom that
has lost or gained an electron is known as an ion. A positive ion is known as a cation
(it moves towards the positively charged electrode) and a negatively charged ion is
known as an anion (it moves towards a negatively charged electrode).

LAW OF CHARGES
The law of charges states that like charges repel while unlike charges attract each
other.
MAIN EFFECTS OF AN ELECTRIC CURRENT
There are three main effects of an electric current are
a) Magnetic effect
b) Chemical effect
c) Heating effect

Some of the practical effects of an electric current include

Magnetic effect: bells, relays, motors, generators, transformers, telephones, car
ignition and lifting magnets
Chemical effect: primary cells, secondary cells and electroplating
Heating effect: cookers, water heaters, electric fires, irons, furnaces, kettles and
soldering irons.
Other effects of an electric current include gas ionisation effect, special rays effect
and the shock effect.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
For electric current to flow there has to be an electric circuit which is the path through
which current flows. The following are the components that make or are needed in
an electric circuit.
• Source of supply e.g. generators, cells etc.
• Conductors e.g. cables, wires etc.
• Safety devices such as fuses, circuit breakers etc.
• Controlling devices such as switches isolators etc.
• Consuming devices or load e.g. lamps, cooker, radio etc.

TYPES OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS

Electron current: this is a current that flows from negative to positive in a circuit.
Conventional current: this is the current that flows from positive (live) to negative
(Neutral) in an electric circuit. In our study of power electrical current will always refer
to conventional current unless stated.
 CONDUCTOR

SWITCH

FUSE

LOAD
SOURCE OF ELECTRON
SUPPLY
CURRENT
BATTERY

CONVENTIONAL CURRENT

TYPES OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Electric circuits can be divided into four classes as given below
i) Closed circuit
ii) Open circuit
 iii) Short circuit
iv) Earth or leakage circuit

Closed circuit: this is a complete path through which current flows e.g. when a lamp
or radio comes on the path that current would have taken so that the lamp comes on
is known as a closed circuit.
Open circuit: This is a circuit through which current cannot flow due to an opening in
the circuit that can be caused by a conductor that is cut, the fuse that is blown, or a
switch that is open.
Short circuit: This is the circuit that is formed when the load is by passed and two
conductors at different potentials come in contact e.g. connecting the live and neutral
together or different phases together.
Earth or Leakage circuit: This is a circuit that is formed when a live conductor
touches the metallic casing of an appliance.

DEFINITION OF ELECTRICAL TERMS

Resistance R: This is the opposition that a conductor offers to the flow of current in an
electric circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms by an instrument known as an ohmmeter.
Electromotive force emf: this is the force that causes the flow of electrons in a circuit. It is
measured in volts by a voltmeter.
Potential difference p.d: this is the difference in potential between two points in an electrical
circuit. Potential difference is measured in volts by an instrument known as a voltmeter and is
usually less than the emf. A potential difference is caused by a difference in charge
(electrons) between two points.
Voltage V: This is the difference in potential between any two conductors in a circuit e.g.
live and neutral, between phase conductors. Voltage is measured by an instrument known as a
voltmeter and is measured in volts.
Voltage drop: This is the voltage that is developed across a component or conductor due to
the resistance of the component or conductor. Voltage drop is measured in volts by a
voltmeter.
Terminal Voltage VT: This is the voltage at the terminals of the source of supply. It is
measured in volts by a voltmeter.
Conductance G: This is the reciprocal of resistance (G = 1/R) and is measured in Siemens.
Conductance can also be defined as the property of a conductor which allows the flow of
current. Conductors have large conductance while insulators have small conductance.
Electric current I: This is the flow of electrons in a circuit and is measured in amperes or
amps by an instrument known as an ammeter.
Ohm Ω: This is the unit of resistance and is defined as the opposition that is offered to a
current of 1 amp in a circuit which has the potential difference of 1 volt.
Amp A: This is the unit of current and is defined as the current that flows in a circuit of
resistance of 1 ohm and a potential difference of 1 volt.
Volt V: This is a unit of voltage and is defined as the voltage that causes a current of 1 amp
to flow in a circuit of resistance 1 ohm.

OHMS LAW

Ohms law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional
to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance provided the temperature
is kept constant.
IαV
Iα1
R

IαV
R
From which we get V = IR

EXAMPLE 1
The current flowing through a resistor is 0.8 A when a p.d. of 20 V is applied.
Determine the value of the resistance.

SOLUTION
Data
I = 0.8 A
V = 20 V

From ohms law R = V = 20 = 25 Ω

I 0.8

ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY

When a direct current of I amperes is flowing in an electric circuit and the voltage
across the circuit is V volts, then
Power in watts P = VI P = I2R P = V2
R

Electrical energy = power x time

= VIt joules
Although the unit of energy is the joule, when dealing with large amounts of energy,
the unit used is the kilowatt hour (KWh) where
1 KWh = 1000watt hour
= 1000 x 3600 watt second or joules
 = 3 600 000 J

QUANTITY OF ELECTRICITY

This is the measure of electricity (charge) that passes through a point in a given
time. It is measured in coulombs (C). The quantity of electricity is denoted by the
letter Q.

Quantity of electricity, Q = current, I x time in seconds, s

A coulomb is defined as the quantity of electricity which flows past a given point in an
electric circuit when a current of one ampere is maintained for one second.

EXAMPLE 2
If a current of 5 A flows for 2 minutes, find the quantity of electricity transferred.
SOLUTION
Data
I=5A
t = 2 min
Quantity of electricity, Q = Itcoulombs

= 5 x (2 x 60)

= 600 C
EXAMPLE 3
A source of e.m.f 5 V supplies a current of 3 A for 10 minutes. How much energy is
produced in this time?

SOLUTION
Data
V=5V
I=3A
t = 10 min

Electrical energy = V I t = 5 x 3 x (10 x 60) = 9 000 Ws or 9 000 J

EXAMPLE 4
An electric kettle has a resistance of 30 Ω. What current will flow when it is
connected to a 240 V supply? Find also the power rating of the kettle.
SOLUTION
Data
R = 30 Ω
V = 240 V

Current, I = V = 240 = 8 A
R 30

Power = VI = 240 x 8 = 1920 W

Alternatively P = I2R = 82 x 30 = 1920 W or P = V2= 2402 = 1920 W

 R 30

FACTORS THAT AFFECT RESISTANCE

The following are the factors that affect resistance these being
i) The length of a conductor: the resistance of a conductor is directly
proportional to the length (R α L) i.e. the longer the length of a conductor
the higher the resistance and vice versa.
ii) Area of the conductor: Resistance of a material is inversely proportional
to the crosssectional area of a conductor i.e. the larger a conductor the
lower its resistance and vice versa. (R α 1/a)
iii) Type of material: Different materials have different values of resistance
e.g. the resistance of copper is different from that of aluminium.
iv) Temperature: An increase in temperature increases the resistance of a
conductor and in a few materials like carbon an increase in temperature
reduces its resistance. Substances whose resistance increases with a rise
in temperature have a positive temperature coefficient and those whose
resistance reduces with a rise in temperature have a negative temperature
coefficient.

From the factors i and ii above, the following formula below is obtained that relates
area and the length of a conductor.
Resistance, R = resistivity x length = ρ L
Area a

Where ρ is the resistivity (specific resistance) which is defined as the resistance of a

unit cube of the material measured between opposite faces of the judgement.
Resistivity is measured in ohm metres.

EXAMPLE 5
The resistance of a 5 m length of wire is 600 Ω. Determine a) the resistance of an 8
m length of the same wire, and b) the length of the same wire when the resistance is
420 Ω.

SOLUTION
Data
L=5m
R = 600 Ω

a) Resistance is directly proportional to length, L i.e. R α L

Hence, 600 α 5 m or 600 = (k)(5), where k is the constant of proportionality.

Hence
 k = 600 = 120
5
When the length L is 8 m, then resistance

R = kL = 120 x 8 = 960 Ω

b) When the resistance is 420 Ω, 420 = kL from which

Length L = 420 = 420 = 3.5 m

k 120

EXAMPLE 6
Calculate the resistance of a 2 km length of aluminium overhead power cable if the
cross sectional area of the cable is 100 mm2. Take the resistivity of aluminium to be
0.03 x 10-6 Ωm.

SOLUTION
Data
L = 2000m
a = 100 mm2 (100 x 10-6 m2)
ρ = 0.03 x 10-6 Ωm

Resistance, R = ρ L = (0.03 x 10-6)(2000) = 0.03 x 2000 = 0.6 Ω

a 100 x 10-6 m2 100
RESISTANCE COLOUR CODE TABLE

COLOUR MULTIPLIER CODE DIGIT TOLERANCE %

Black 10^0 =(1) 0
Brown 10^1 1 1%
Red 10^2 2 2%
Orange 10^3 3
Yellow 10^4 4
Green 10^5 5 0.5%
Blue 10^6 6 0.25%
Violet 10^7 7 0.1%
Gray 10^8 8
White 10^9 9
Gold 10^-1 5%
Silver 10^-2 10%
(None) 20%

EXample 9
determine the resistance of the following colour coded resistors:
(a) Green, Black, Yellow, Silver
Data
Green = 5
Black = 0
Yellow =4 (the third colour determines the number of zeros to be added to the first
two figures)
Silver = ±10% (this determines the tolerance the resistor has)
= 5 0 000 ±10%.= 50Kohms, ±10%.
1000

(B) Red, Red, Black, Gold

Data
Red = 2
Red = 2
Black = 0
Gold = ±5%

22 ohms, ±5%

CONNECTION OF RESISTORS
Resistors can be connected in either in series or parallel. They can also have a
series parallel combination.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SERIES CONNECTION OF RESISTORS

The diagram below shows two resistors connected in series and whenever resistors
are connected is series the following should be noted
i) The same current flows though the circuit
ii) The supply voltage is the sum of the individual voltage drops (V = V1 + V2)
iii) The total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances (RT = R1 + R2 )

R1 R2

V1 V2

I I

CHARACTERISTICS OF PARALLEL CONNECTION OF RESISTORS

The diagram below shows the connection of two resistors in parallel and when
resistors are connected in parallel the following is true
 I1 R1

R2

I2
I I

V
i) The same voltage acts across both resistors
ii) The supply current is the sum of the individual branch currents (I = I 1 + I2)
iii) The total resistance is the sum of the reciprocal of the individual
1 1 1
resistances. (RT = R1 + R2)OR RT = R1x R2
R1 + R2

EXAMPLE 15
The resistors of 4 and 12 Ω are connected in parallel and they are both connected to
a further resistor of 10 Ω, connected in series, if a dc voltage of 78 V is connected to
the circuit , determine
a) The total current
b) The potential difference across the parallel resistors
c) The branch currents in the parallel circuit
d) The power consumed in the circuit
e) The total energy after a period of 5 hours
f) The cost after 65 hours of use at K 60 per Kwh.

SOLUTION
Data
R1 = 4 Ω
R2 = 12 Ω
R3 = 10 Ω
V = 78 V
R1=4Ω
I1
R3=10Ω

R2=12Ω

I2
I I

78 V

a) Total current, I = V
 RT

The total resistance, RT = R1x R2 + R3

R1 + R2

= 4 x 12 + 10
4 + 12

= 48 +10
16

= 3+10

= 13 Ω

Therefore, total current, I = V = 78 = 6 A

RT 13

b) P.d. across resistors R1and R2, V = IR = 6 x 3 = 18 V

c) The branch currents in the parallel circuit

I1 = V = 18 = 4.5 A I2 = V = 18 = 1.5 A
R1 4 R2 12

d) The power consumed, P = I2R = 62 x 13

= 468 W

e) Energy used after 5 hours, E = power x time

= 468 x (5 x 60 x 60)

= 8,424 000 J

f) Cost of energy after 65 hours of use at K 60 per Kwh

Energy consumed in Kwh, E = power x time

= 468 x 65

= 30 420 Kwh

Cost of energy = 30 420 x K 60

= K 1 825 200