CLASS 10 NOTES

SCIENCE
Electricity
PRASHANT KIRAD
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Electric Charge
A physical phenomenon characterized by an excess or deficiency of electrons in a body.
It is a scalar quantity.
The SI unit of charge is the Coulomb (C).

Magnitude of Electric Charge

Proton Neutron Electron

+ 1.602 × 10^-19 coulombs 0 - 1.602 × 10^-19 coulombs

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Electric Current (I)
The quantity of electric charge 'Q' flowing through a specific cross-sectional area in
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unit time 't'.
It is a scalar quantity.
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The SI unit of current is the Ampere (A).

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Q (coulombs)
I (ampere) =
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t (seconds)
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The direction of electric current is considered opposite to the flow of electrons, and
in a circuit, conventional current flows from the battery's positive terminal to the
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negative terminal.
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Electric Potential (V)
The amount of work done (1 W) when moving a unit positive charge (1C) from infinity
to a specific point.
It is a scalar Quantity.
SI unit is volt (V).
W (joules)
V (Volts) =
Q (coulombs)
JOSH METER?

Electric Potential Difference (ΔV)

It quantifies the energy expended per unit of electric charge. Electric potential,
delineated as the variance in electric potential energy between two locations within an
electric field, corresponds to the energy expended for each charging unit when
transporting it from one point to another in an electrostatic field.
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It is a scalar Quantity.
SI unit is joules per coulomb.

The measurement of the electric potential difference between two

points in a circuit is accomplished using a device known as a voltmeter.

Electric Circuit:
An electric circuit is a closed and unbroken loop that facilitates the flow of electric
current. It comprises diverse components, such as a current source (like a cell or
battery), a load (such as a bulb or any appliance), a switch (for opening or closing the
circuit), a fuse, and interconnecting wires, typically constructed from copper.

When the switch is closed, the circuit is termed a closed circuit (allowing the
current to flow).
Conversely, when the switch is open, the circuit is referred to as an open circuit
(preventing the flow of current).

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Circuit Diagram:
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It is a visual depiction of a circuit

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wherein various electrical components

are represented by their symbols.
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Ohm’s Law:
According to this principle, the electric current coursing
through a conductor exhibits a direct proportionality to the
applied potential difference across its terminals, under the
condition that physical factors like temperature remain
constant.
V V
V = I.R I = R =
R I
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Resistance (Ω)

It is the characteristic of a conductor that hinders

or resists the movement of electric charge through
it. This property is known as resistance. Resistance
is a scalar quantity, and its unit in the International
System of Units (SI) is the ohm, denoted by the “Kaafi important Topic
symbol Ω. hai”
The resistance of a conductor depends on several - Prashant Bhaiya
factors, including:

Length (L): The longer the conductor, the greater the resistance.
Cross-sectional Area (A): Wider pathways - larger cross-sectional area (A) in a
conductor make it easier for electric current to flow by reducing resistance.
Material Resistivity (ρ): Different materials have different inherent resistances.

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Resistivity is a property of the material itself.

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Temperature (T): Generally, resistance increases with temperature. This is a more
complex relationship and depends on the material.
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Resistivity (ρ)
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Resistivity is a property of materials that describes their ability to impede the flow
of electric current. It is denoted by the symbol (ρ= rho) and is measured in
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ohmmeters (Ω⋅m) in the International System of Units (SI). The formula for
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resistivity (ρ) is:

R = ρ L
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Resistivity (ρ) is a material property measuring its resistance to electrical current

flow. Conductors like metals have low resistivity, allowing easy current flow, while
insulators have high resistivity. Ohm's Law (I=V/R) relates current (I), voltage (V),
and resistance (R), where resistance depends on the material's resistivity (ρ) length
(L), and cross-sectional area (A).

Series Combination:
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Series combination formula: Total resistance is the sum

Req = R1 + R2 + R3
of individual resistances.

I (Electric Current) remain same

In Series Combination
V (Voltage) Divides

Adding Resistances: In a series circuit, you just add up all the resistances to find
the total resistance.
Total Resistance is Higher: The total resistance in a series is greater than any
single resistor.
One Stops, All Stop: If one component in a series circuit stops working,
everything in the circuit stops.
Not for Different Devices: Series circuits are not good for devices like bulbs

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and heaters because they need different amounts of current.

Parallel Combination:
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Parallel combination formula: Inverse of total 1 = 1 + 1 + 1

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resistance equals the sum of inverses of individual Req R1 R2 R3

resistances

I (Electric Current) divides

In Parallel Combination
V (Voltage) remain same

Add Inverses: In a parallel circuit, sum the inverses of individual resistances to

find the reciprocal of the total resistance.
Lower Total Resistance: The overall resistance in parallel is less than that
of any single resistor.
Diverse Currents: Different currents flow through components in parallel.
Continued Operation: If one component fails, others continue to operate in
a parallel circuit.
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Heating effect of electric current:

In an electric circuit, the source must continuously provide
energy to maintain current flow. Some energy sustains the
current, while the rest dissipates as heat—known as the
heating effect of electric current.
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Joule's Law of Heating:
This law indicates that the heat generated in a resistor is:

1. Directly proportional to the square of the current (I) flowing through

the resistance (R).
2. Directly proportional to the resistance (R) in the circuit.
3. Directly proportional to the time (t) for which the current flows.

2
H=I RT

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Practical applications of the heating effects of electric current include:

Producing Light (Electric Bulb): The bulb features a tungsten

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filament with high resistivity and melting point. The application of
voltage heats the filament, making it white-hot and emitting light.
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Electric Fuse: A safety device in household circuits, it contains a

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lead and tin alloy with a specific melting point. If the current
surpasses the safe limit, the fuse wire heats, melts, and interrupts
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the circuit, safeguarding other elements from potential hazards.

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Power: EMA
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Definition of Electrical Power (P): Electrical power (P) is defined as the rate at
which electric charge is consumed or transferred in a circuit per unit of time.
Scalar Quantity: Electrical power is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has
magnitude and no direction.
Unit of Electrical Power: The unit of electrical power is the watt (W). The
relationship between power (P), current (I), and resistance (R) is given by Ohm's
Law (P = I^2R).

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V = I.R P = (IR)I = I R
P = V.I
V V V
2
I = P = V =
R R R
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2
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P = V.I = I R =
R

“Very important
formula"
- Prashant Bhaiya
“Bahut Jaroori
conversions hai”
Unit Conversions - Prashant Bhaiya
Kilowatt (kW) 1 kilowatt (1 kW) is equivalent to 1000 watts (1000 W).
Megawatt (MW) 1 megawatt (1 MW) is equivalent to (10^6) watts (1,000,000 W).
Gigawatt (GW) 1 gigawatt (1 GW) is equivalent to (10^9) watts (1,000,000,000 W).
Horsepower (HP) 1 horsepower (1 HP) is approximately equal to 746 watts (746 W).

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Commercial unit of electrical energy: KI
1{kilowatt-hour (kWh)} = 1000 watt-hour (Wh)

Since 1 watt-hour is equal to 3600 joules (J)

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3.6 * 10^6{J}
This simplifies to 1000 {Wh}
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1000 {Wh} = 1000 * 3600 J

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So, 1 kilowatt-hour is equivalent to (3.6 times 10^6) joules.

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Commercial unit of electrical energy:

Certainly! The number of units consumed by an electric appliance is calculated by
multiplying its power (in kilowatts) by the time it is in use (in hours). The formula is:

Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) * Time (hours)

For example, if you have a 1.5 kW appliance running for 3 hours:

{Energy (kWh)} = 1.5 {kW} * 3 hours = 4.5 {kWh}

So, the appliance consumes 4.5 kilowatt-hours of energy during that period.
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# TOP 7
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1) What is the function of a galvanometer in a circuit? [CBSE 2019]
Solution:

A galvanometer is used to detect and measure electric currents in a circuit. It

indicates the presence and direction of current flow.

2) State Ohm’s law. [Delhi 2016]

Solution:
If the physical conditions of a conductor remain the same, then the current through a

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conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference b/w the two ends of the

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conductor.
I ∝ V => V= IR
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3) The power of a lamp is 60 W. Find the energy in joules consumed by it in 1 s. [CBSE
2014]
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Solution:
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4) An electric kettle of 2 kW works for 2 h daily. Calculate the [CBSE 2014]

(a) energy consumed in SI and commercial units
(b) cost of running it in the month of June at the rate of `3.00 per unit.

Solution:

5) (a) Explain why a conductor offers resistance to the flow of current.

(b) Differentiate between conductor, resistor, and resistance.
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Solution:
a. When a current is passed through a conductor, the atoms or molecules of the
conductor produce a hindrance in the path of flow of electrons. This hindrance in the
path of the flow of charge is called the resistance of the conductor.

b. A substance that allows it to pass the charges through them easily is called a
conductor. Resistor: A conductor having some value of resistance is called a resistor.
Resistance: It is the property of any conductor by virtue of which it opposes the flow
of charge through it.
6) Two conducting wires of the same material, equal length, and equal diameter are
connected in series. How does the heat produce by the combination of resistance
change? [CBSE 2010]

Solution:

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7) Q7) (a) Define the term ‘volt’.

(b) State the relation between work, charge, and potential difference for an
electric circuit. Calculate the potential difference between the two terminals
of a battery, if 100 joules of work is required to transfer 20 coulombs of
charge from one terminal of the battery to the other.
a. Potential difference b/w two points in an electric field is said to be 1
volt if the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from one point
to another point is 1 J.
b.

“Class 10th Phodenge”