CHAPTER NO.

13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 105

Q. Define Electric Current? Explain the conduction of electric current through a conductor? Differentiate
between conventional and electronic current.

ELECTRIC CURRENT:-

The rate of motion of charges in a conductor is called “electric current”. The strength of current in
a conductor can be defined as “the numbers of coulombs of charges which pass any section of the
conductor in one second.

If a change of “Q” coulombs flows through a section of time “t” seconds then current “I” it is given
by

𝑄
𝐼= 𝑡

The unit of current is “Ampere”. Its sub multiples are Milli ampere and Microampere.

1 milli mpere = 1mA = 10–3 A

1 micro ampere = 1µA=10–6 A

EXPLANATION:
If we consider any section of metallic wire, the rate at which the
free electrons pass through it from right to left is the same as the rate at
which they pass from left to right (a).
As a result the current through the wire is zero. lf the ends of the wire are
connected to a battery, an electric field E will be set up at every point
within the wire (Fig b). The free electrons will now experience a force
in the direction opposite to E. As a result of this force the free
electrons acquire a motion in the direction of -E. It may be noted that
the force experienced by the free electrons does not produce a net
acceleration because the electrons keep on colliding with the
atoms of the conductor. The overall effect of these collisions is to
transfer the energy of accelerating electrons to the lattice with the
result that the electrons acquire an average velocity,
called the drift velocity in the direction of-E .

DIRECTION OF ELECTRIC CURRENT:

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 106
1. CONVENTIONAL CURRENT:

Conventional Current assumes that current flows out of the positive terminal, through the circuit
and into the negative terminal of the source. This was the convention chosen during the discovery of
electricity.

2. ELECTRONIC CURRENT:

Electron Flow is what actually happens and electrons flow out of the negative terminal, through
the circuit and into the positive terminal of the source.

Both Conventional Current and Electron Flow are used.

Q. State and Explain Ohm’s Law.

OHM’S LAW

STATEMENT:

According to this “The current through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential
difference between the end of conductor provided at physical conditions of the conductor remains same”.

If “I” be the current passing through a conductor and “V” be the potential difference between its
ends then by Ohm’s law.

𝐼  𝑉

𝐼 =𝐾 𝑉 --------------------------- (i)

Where “K” is a constant and is “conductance” of the material of the conductor. Its value is different for
different materials. The reciprocal of conductor is called electric resistance “R”. i.e.
1
𝐾 =𝑅

1
Thus eq (i)=> 𝐼 = (𝑅 ) 𝑉

Or

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 107
𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅

This Equation is known as “Ohm’s law”.

RESISTANCE:

“The ration b/w potential difference applied across

the conductor to the current passing trough it is known as
resistance of that conductor.”Mathematically we can write as,

𝑉
𝑅= 𝐼

Its S.I. Unit is Ohm(),

OHM:-

One Ohm is the resistance of a conductor through

which a current of I ampere passes when a potential difference of volt is maintained across the ends of
the conductor.

The multiples and sub multiples of Ohm are given below

1 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 1 𝐾 = 1000 = 103 

1 𝑀𝑒𝑔𝑎 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 1 𝑀 = 1000000 = 106 

1 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 1𝑚 = 10−3 

1 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑂ℎ𝑚 = 1 µ = 10−6 

Q. Define resistivity. Derive expression for the resistivity of a substance.

RESISTIVITY:-

Resistivity of a material is the resistance of which of the material of unit area of cross section of
material per unit length . Its S.I. unit is ohm. meter (.m).

DERIVATION:

The resistance of a conductor depends upon factors including length “L” and area

of cross section “A” of the conductor.

1) The longer “R” the length “L” of the conductor, the greater should be its resistance “R”, i.e.

𝑅  𝐿 -----------(i)

2) The greater the cross sectional area “A” of the wire, the lesser should be its resistance “R” i.e.

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 108
1
𝑅  𝐴 -----------(ii)

By combining eq(i) and eq(ii), we get

𝐿
𝑅 𝐴

𝐿
𝑅 = 𝜌𝐴

Where 𝜌 is a constant of proportionality which is known as “Resistivity” or “specific resistance”.

Mathematically it is written as

𝐴
𝜌=𝑅𝐿

UNIT OF RESISTIVITY:

Its S.I. unit is ohm-meter (-m)

Q. What is meant by temperature co-efficient of resistance and temperature co-efficient of resistivity ?

Derive relevant expressions.

TEMPERATURE CO-EFFICIENT OF RESISTANCE:-

An electric current flows when electrons move through a conductor, such as a metal wire. The moving
electrons can collide with the ions in the metal. This makes it more difficult for the current to flow, and
causes resistance. As the temperature increases, the metal ions vibrate more. There are more collisions
with the electrons and so the resistance increases.It can be defined as “The change in resistance per unit
resistance at 00C per Kelvin or per degree centigrade change in temperature.”

Let us consider that the resistance of wire at 0oC is Ro and at a higher temperature toC it is Rt.The
change in resistance is Rt-Ro for a change in temperature (to -0o)C.If we denote the change in resistance as
∆R and change in temperature as ∆t, then

∆𝑅 ∝ 𝑅0 ∆𝑡

∆𝑅 =∝ 𝑅0 ∆𝑡

Where “” is a constant of proportionality and called temperature coefficient.

or 𝑅𝑡 − 𝑅0 =∝ 𝑅0 ∆𝑡

𝑅𝑡 −𝑅0
or ∝= 𝑅0 ∆𝑡

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 109
TEMPERATURE CO-EFFICIENT OF RESISTANCE:-

“The change in resistivity per unit resistivity at 00C per Kelvin or per degree centigrade change in
temperature.”Since resistivity “𝜌” is directly proportional to the resistance of the metal therefore , We can
write.

∆𝜌 ∝ 𝜌0 ∆𝑡

∆𝜌 =∝ 𝜌0 ∆𝑡

Where “” is a constant of proportionality and called temperature coefficient.

or 𝜌𝑡 − 𝜌0 =∝ 𝜌0 ∆𝑡
𝜌 𝑡 −𝜌 0
or ∝= 𝜌 0 ∆𝑡

Q. Derive expressions for the equivalent resistance when resistors are connected (i) In Series (ii) In Parallel

COMBINATIONS OF RESISTORS

I) RESISTANCES IN SERIES:-

Resistance are said to be in series if there is one conducting path for the current. Consider three
resistances R1, R2 and R3 connected in series with a battery of voltage “V”. If “I” be the current flowing
from the battery then this current will also flow from each of the three resistances

Thus ,

P.d across R1 = V1 = IR1

P.d across R2 = V2 = IR2

P.d across R3 = V3 = IR3

The total potential drop “Vab” is given by

Vab = V1 + V2 + V3 --------------------------- (i)

If “Re” be the equivalent resistance which is connected to the same battery, as shown in fig (2),
then same current “I” will pass through it.

Thus

By putting the values of V1, V2, and V3 in eq (i) we get

IR e = IR 1 + IR 2 + IR 3
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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 110
IR e = I(R 1 + R 2 + R3)

𝑅𝑒 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3

Thus equivalent resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances.

II)RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL:-

Resistance are said be in parallel if potential difference across each resistance is same. Consider
three resistances R1, R2, and R3 connected in parallel with a battery of voltage “V”. If “I” be the current
flowing from the battery then this current will divide into three ports at “a”.

Let I1, I2, and I3 be the currents through R1, R2, and R3 respectively.

The P.d across R1 = V =I1R1  I1 = V /R1

The P.d across R2 = V =I2R2  I2 = V /R2

The P.d across R3 = V =I3R3  I3 =V /R3

If “Re” be the equivalent resistance of R1, R2, and R3 and is connected through the same battery, as
shown in fig (2), then the whole current “I” will pass through it.

Thus P.d. across Re = V =IRe  I= V /Re

Since

I = I1 + I2 + I3 ------------------------ (ii)

Therefore by putting the values of I1, I2, I3, and I in eq (ii)

we get
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 𝑉
=𝑅 +𝑅 +𝑅
𝑅𝑒 1 2 3

𝑉 1 1 1
=𝑉 +𝑅 +𝑅
𝑅𝑒 𝑅1 2 3

1 1 1 1
=𝑅 +𝑅 +𝑅
𝑅𝑒 1 2 3

This shows that the reciprocal of equivalent resistance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of
individual resistance OR the equivalent conductance is obtained by adding the conductance of the
individual conductors of the circuit.

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 111
Q. Explain power dissipation in resistors. Derive relevant expressions.

POWER DISSIPATION IN RESISTOR:-

When an electric current passes through a conductor, some useful electrical energy is
dissipated in the form of heat energy. This loss of electrical energy is due to the collision of charges with
the atoms of conductor. Loss of electrical energy in unit time is referred to as "power dissipation in
resistor". Suppose a battery of voltage “V” is connected across a resistor “R”. If the current “I” flows
through this resistor for a time “t”, the charge “Q” transported between the terminals of the battery is
given by

𝑄 = 𝐼𝑡

Or
𝑄
𝐼= 𝑡

The charge “Q” moving due to potential difference “V” losses its potential energy equal to “QV”
which is converted into heat.

i.e.

Heat produced = QV

But 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑡

So Heat produced =𝑉 𝐼𝑡

By Ohm’s law

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅

Therefore, Heat produced = 𝐼 2 𝑅𝑡

According to the definition of Power “Power is the work done in unit time”, so power dissipated due to
heat is given by
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑
𝑃= 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

𝐼 2 𝑅𝑡
𝑃= 𝑡

or 𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅

This expression shows the power dissipation in resistors. Can be also be written as,

=> 𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅
𝑉 𝑉
𝑃 = 𝐼2 ( 𝐼 ) ∵𝑅= 𝐼

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 112
so 𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼

The power dissipation can also be written in terms of “V” avd “R”, as

𝑉2 𝑉
𝑃= ∵𝐼=𝑅
𝑅

The unit of power is “watt” its multiples are kilowatt and megawatt.

1 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡 = 103 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡

1 𝑚𝑒𝑔𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡 = 106 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡

KILOWATT – HOUR:- Usually the energy supplied by electric current through its generating station is
measured in terms of kilowatt – hour (KWh).

One kilowatt – hour is the energy derived by the current in one hour when it supplies energy at
the rate of 1000 joules per second i.e.
𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
1𝐾𝑊ℎ = 1000 × 1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟
Sec

𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠
1𝐾𝑊ℎ = 1000 × 3600 𝑠𝑒𝑐
Sec

1𝐾𝑊ℎ = 3.6 × 106 𝐽

Q. Explain Electromotive Force and internal resistance and derive their relation.

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE:-

The potential difference between the terminals of a battery or any source of electrical energy when it is
not connected to any external circuit is called its electromotive force (E.M.F).it is denoted by “E”.

In the case of a battery, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. In a generator,
mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy and in a thermocouple, heat energy is converted
into electrical energy and so on.

Consider a circuit in which a resistor “R” is connected by leads of negligible resistance to the
terminals of a battery. A current “T” flow through resistor in a direction from “a” to “b”, the potential “Va”
being higher from potential “Vb”. The same current will flow through the battery from its negative
terminal to the positive terminal. The battery is made of some electrolyte and electrodes for the
production of e.m.f. and hence when this current flows the battery, it encounter some resistance by the
electrolyte present between its two electrodes. This resistance is known as internal resistance “r” of the
battery.

Thus the current in the circuit by Ohm’s law is given by relation

𝐸
𝐼 = (𝑅 + 𝑟)

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CHAPTER NO.13 |CURRENT ELECTRICITY 113
𝐸 = 𝐼 (𝑅 + 𝑟)

𝐸 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑟 ------------------ (i)

Here “IR” is the voltage to drive the current “I” through the external resistor “R” and “Ir” is the lost
voltage driving current “I” through the internal resistance “r”.

If we denote “IR” by “V” then eq (1) becomes

𝐸 = 𝑉 + 𝐼𝑟

or 𝑉 = 𝐸 − 𝐼𝑟

This show that the potential difference between the terminals of a battery drops when it delivers a
current. However, when no current is drawn there is no potential drop across it; there is no potential
drop across the internal resistance so that the terminal potential difference is equal to its e.m.f.

𝑉 = 𝐸

E.M.F. SOURCES IN SERIES:-

When the e.m.f of a single cell is too small for a particular application, two or more cells can be
connected in series, as shown in the fig. The e.m.f of the set is Sum of e.m.f. of the individual cells, and the
internal resistance of the set is the sum of individual resistances.

i.e.

𝐸 = 𝐸1 + 𝐸2 + 𝐸3

and 𝑟 = 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 + 𝑟3

The battery of a car is made up of lead acid cells

connected in series..When the e.m.f of a battery of cell is
sufficient but its capacity is too small, two or more
batteries or cells can be connected in parallel to give
more current. The total current “I” is the sum of the
current delivered from the individual battery or cell.

𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3

UNDERSTANDING PHYSICS FOR CLASS 12