ELECTRIC CURRENT (I)

- is the amount of charge flowing per unit time.

- André Marie Ampère
𝒒
I=
𝒕
𝐶
A (ampere) =
𝑠
A steady current of 2.0 A flows in a wire for 16.0 s. How
many coulombs of charge flow through the wire?
Conventional Current vs Direct Current (DC) vs
Electron Current Alternating Current (AC)
 Drift Velocity (vD) and Current Density (J)
- the constant proportionality µ - is the amount of the
is called electron mobility. current per unit area of
Total charge q = NVE = nALe a conductor. (J)
vD = µE - SI unit : A/m²
q = neAvDt
𝐼
𝑞 J = = nevD
I= = neAvD 𝐴
𝑡
J = neµE
A copper wire with a cross-sectional area of 2.0
−6 2
𝑥10 𝑚 carries a current of 5.0 A. if the density of free
28 −3
electrons in copper is 8.5𝑥10 𝑚 , what is the drift
velocity of the electrons in the wire?

Drift Velocity Current Density

a) Total charge q = NVE = nALe 𝐼
a) J = = nevD
𝐴
b) vD = µE
c) q = neAvDt b) J = neµE
𝑞
d) I= = neAvD
𝑡
 Electrical Resistance
- is the opposition of a material to the flow of electric
current .
- Resistors can be classified as either fixed or variable.
- SI unit : ohm (Ω) , Georg Simon Ohm.

metallized film
resistor
potentiometers

carbon resistor thermistor

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Color Code of Resistors
 Factors Affecting The Resistance of a Uniform Wire
1. Cross-Sectional Area (A = R )
Formula: R1A1 = R2A2
2. Length (L = R )
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
Formula: = constant or =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

3. Material of the Wire

𝑳 *Resistivity ρ is the reciprocal of conductivity.
R=ρ
𝑨 *Resistivity is dependent on temperature.

4. Temperature
ρT = ρ0 + ρ0α (T – T0) (T = R ) for conductors
(T = R ) for insulators & semiconductors
RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0) (T = R or 0) for superconductors
 Factors Affecting The Resistance of a Uniform Wire
3. Material of the Wire
Resistivities of Some Materials at 20°C
Material ρ (Ω • m) Material ρ (Ω • m)
Conductors Semiconductors
Aluminum 2.5 𝐶 Pure carbon 2.75 𝑥10−5
Copper 1.72 𝑥10−8 Pure germanium 0.60
Gold 2.44 𝑥10−8 Pure silicon 2300
Iron 9.7 𝑥10−8 Insulators
Lead 22 𝑥10−8 Amber 5 𝑥1014
Nichrome 100 𝑥10−8 Glass 1010 −1014
Platinum 10.6 𝑥10−8 Mica 1011 −1015
Silver 1.62 𝑥10−8 Rubber (hard) 1013 −1016
Steel 20 𝑥10−8 Teflon 1016
Tungsten 5.25 𝑥10−8 Wood (ample) 3 𝑥1010
 Factors Affecting The Resistance of a Uniform Wire
4. Temperature
Temperature Coefficients of Resistance of Same Materials at 20°C
Material α (𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟑 / C°) Material α (𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟑 / C°)
Conductors Nichrome 0.4
Aluminum 33.9 Platinum 3.9
Brass 2.0 Silver 3.8
Constantan 0.01 Tungsten 4.5
Copper 3.93 Semiconductors
Gold 3.4 Carbon -0.5
Iron 5.0 Germanium -50
Lead 4.3 Silicon -70
1. A technician needs to replace a 10-ohm resistor wire
with a cross-sectional area of 2 mm². The replacement wire
must have the same resistance but only 1 mm² cross-sectional
area. What should the resistance of the replacement wire
be? a) R1A1 = R2A2
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
b) =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

𝑳
c) R = ρ d) RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0)
𝑨
2. A 10-meter long wire has a resistance of 5 ohms. If
the wire is extended to 20 meters while maintaining
the same cross-sectional area and material, what will
its new resistance be? a) R1A1 = R2A2
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
b) =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

𝑳
c) R = ρ d) RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0)
𝑨
3. A copper wire has a length of 10 meters and a cross-
sectional area of 1 mm². The resistivity of copper is 1.72 x
10⁻⁸ Ωm. Calculate the resistance of the wire. (Remember to convert
mm² to m²)
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
a) R1A1 = R2A2 b) =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

𝑳
c) R = ρ d) RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0)
𝑨
4. A resistor has a resistance of 100 ohms at 20°C. Its
temperature coefficient of resistance is 0.00393/°C. What
is its resistance at 30°C?
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
a) R1A1 = R2A2 b) =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

𝑳
c) R = ρ d) RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0)
𝑨
5. A wire is 100.00cm long and has a resistance of 25.0
Ω. This wire is cut into five equal parts.
(a) What is the resistance of each piece of wire?
(b) If the five parts were bundled together, what is the
resistance of the resulting wire?
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
a) R1A1 = R2A2 b) =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

𝑳
c) R = ρ d) RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0)
𝑨
 QUIZ! (1/2 cw)
1. A 25-meter long wire has a resistance of 15 ohms. If the
wire is cut in half, what is the resistance of each piece?

2. Two wires are made of the same material and have the
same length. Wire A has a cross-sectional area of 2
mm², and wire B has a cross-sectional area of 4 mm². If
wire A has a resistance of 5 ohms, what is the resistance
of wire B? a) R1A1 = R2A2
𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
b) =
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐

𝑳
c) R = ρ d) RT = R0 + R0α (T - T0)
𝑨
 Ohmic & Nonohmic Resistance
- Resistance is also defined as the ratio of voltage to
the resulting current. In symbols,
(Ohm’s Law)
𝑽
R = constant =
𝑰
Electromotive Force and Terminal Voltage
A battery consists of cells. Each cell
basically consists of two electrodes and
electrolytes. One electrode called cathode is
connected to the positive terminal of the cell,
while the other electrode called anode is
connected to the negative terminal. An oxidation
takes place at the anode, releasing electrons in
the process. These electrons travel to the cathode
where a corresponding reduction reaction takes
place. The electrolyte provides the medium for
transport for ions between two electrodes.
 Electromotive Force (𝜺) and Terminal Voltage
- emf is an energy transfer to - is the voltage a battery applies to the circuit
or load it is connected to. Because a real
an electric circuit per unit of battery has an internal resistance, it will
electric charge, measured in never apply its full rated voltage to a load.
volts. For instance, a 12 V battery will always
apply less than 12 V to a load.
- the potential difference across the terminals
of a cell when current (I) flows through it.
(TV)

TV = 𝜺 - Ir
 Electrical Power and Energy
- Power is the rate at which energy - Electrical energy consumption is
is used or transferred. It's determined by multiplying the
measured in watts (W). power rating of an appliance
- the power expended in an by the length of time, w/c the
appliance is the rate at w/c it appliance is switched on.
consumes electrical energy. - SI unit: Joule or Ws or kWh
- within a circuit.
P = VI Electrical energy consumption = Pt
or
𝑽²
P = VI = I²R = cost = Pt
𝑹
The Measurement of Current, Voltage, & Resistance

Ammeter is a device used for

measuring current. It is always connected
in series w/ the circuit element to w/c the
current is to be determined. An ammeter
is connected by opening the circuit and
then inserting it in line or in series w/
the circuit. An ammeter is circle w/ an
uppercase letter A.
The Measurement of Current, Voltage, & Resistance

A voltmeter is a device that measures

the emf or potential difference between
two points in a circuit. A voltmeter is
connected across or parallel to the part of
the circuit element where potential
difference is to be determined. A voltmeter
is represented as a circle w/ an uppercase
letter V.
The Measurement of Current, Voltage, & Resistance

Ohmmeter, instrument for measuring

electrical resistance, which is expressed in
ohms. In the simplest ohmmeters, the
resistance to be measured may be
connected to the instrument in parallel or in
series. If in parallel (parallel ohmmeter), the
instrument will draw more current as
resistance increases.
Household Electricity
To prevent overloading, fuses or circuits
breakers are inserted (in series) in
circuits. A fuse consists of high-resistance
strip of alloy that melts readily.

A circuit breaker is a large switch that is

automatically opened by an
electromagnet when the current is large.
The fuse blows up and circuit breaker
trips when the current is excessive.
Household Electricity
A fuse consists of high-resistance strip of
alloy that melts readily.

A circuit breaker is a large switch that is

automatically opened by an electromagnet
when the current is large.

The fuse blows up and circuit breaker trips

when the current is excessive.
Household Electricity
A fuse consists of high-resistance strip
of alloy that melts readily.

A circuit breaker is a large switch that

is automatically opened by an
electromagnet when the current is large.

The fuse blows up and circuit breaker

trips when the current is excessive.
 Household Electricity

Most electrical appliances use a three-

prong plug in their power cords. The 2
principal flat wires called live and
neutral are the current carrying wires &
the 3rd prong is a safety ground wire that
carries no current. It is grounded to
prevent electric shock in case a live wire
accidentally touches a metal part of the
appliances.
 Household Electricity

In addition, e appliances are

provided w/ green or yellow
ground wire. This is usually
connected to the casing of
appliances. If the live wire comes
in contact w/ the casing, most of
the current takes the low-
resistance path through the
appliance to the ground.
 Household Electricity

A ground fault circuit interrupter is a

safety outlet that protects people
from electrocution or electric shock. It
acts like a circuit breaker whenever
there is a difference between the
current going to and returning from
an electrical equipment.
 Effects of Current on the Human Body
Human body is a good conductor Effect of Current on the Human Body at
because it is composed of 70% water. 1s Time of Exposure
However, dry skin offers a resistance of Current (mA) Effect

as high as 104 Ω to 106 Ω. When wet, 0 – 0.5 None

the resistance of the skin drastically 0.5 – 2.0 Threshold of feeling
drops to 103 Ω or less. 2 – 10 Pain, muscular contraction
10 -15 Difficulty in breathing
The parts of the body that are 16 – 20 Muscular freeze (cannot release or let go)
more sensitive to current are the brain,
chest muscles, and nerves regulating 20 – 100 Respiratory paralysis

respiration. The dangerous path of 100 – 3A Ventricular fibrillation; fatal unless

resuscitation is done immediately
current would be hand to hand and left
Above 3 A Death
hand to either foot.
1. An electric flat iron draws a current of 15 A when
connected to a 110V line.
(a) Assuming that the heating element of the flat iron
obeys Ohm’s law, what is its resistance?
(b) What is the resistivity of the heating element if it is a
wire that is 2.5 cm long with cross-sectional area of
−4 2
2𝑥10 𝑚 ?

𝑉 𝑉²
a) R = c) P = VI = I²R =
𝐼 𝑅
b) TV = 𝜀 - Ir d) cost = Pt
2. The electromotive force of a cell is 1.5 V. When
connected to an external load of 3.0 Ω, the voltage drops
to 1.35 V. Find the
(a) current and
(b) internal resistance of the cell.

𝑉 𝑉²
a) R = c) P = VI = I²R =
𝐼 𝑅
b) TV = 𝜀 - Ir d) cost = Pt
3. A person used his 1.5 kW air-conditioning unit for 5 h
everyday during the month of June. How much did it cost
him for using his air conditioner if electricity is priced at
P8.17/kWh?

𝑉 𝑉²
a) R = c) P = VI = I²R =
𝐼 𝑅
b) TV = 𝜀 - Ir d) cost = Pt
4. To prepare breakfast, a mother connected and turned
on her 1500 W bread toaster, 500 W coffee maker, and
2000 W electric frying pan to the same 220 V line
protected by a 20 A fuse. Find the
(a) resistance of each appliance and the
(b) current drawn by each appliance.
(c) Will the fuse blow up?

𝑉 𝑉²
a) R = c) P = VI = I²R =
𝐼 𝑅
b) TV = 𝜀 - Ir d) cost = Pt
 QUIZ! (1 whole)
1. A family uses a 250 W refrigerator continuously for 30 days. Electricity costs
P7.50/kWh. How much did it cost them to run the refrigerator for the month?
2. A simple flashlight uses a battery with an EMF of 1.5 V. When the flashlight is turned
on, the bulb acts as a 2.0 Ω resistor. The voltage measured across the bulb is 1.2 V.
What is the current flowing through the bulb, and what is the internal resistance of the
battery?
3. Maria is preparing for a holiday gathering. She wants to use her 1200-watt electric
mixer, her 800-watt oven, and her 600-watt stand mixer all at the same time. Her
kitchen circuit is protected by a 15-amp fuse, and the voltage is 120 V. Find the
(a) resistance of each appliance and the 𝑉 𝑉²
(b) current drawn by each appliance a) R = c) P = VI = I²R =
𝐼 𝑅
(c) Will the fuse blow? b) TV = 𝜀 - Ir d) cost = Pt