electricity

• Electric current


  The flow of electrical charge
• Equation linking charge, current and time

  1. Q = I t

  2. Charge (Coulombs)

  3. Current (Amperes)

  4. Time (Seconds)
• Current is the same at all points in a closed loop
• Factors current in a circuit depends on

  • 1. Potential Difference (V)
  • 2. Resistance (R)
• Equation to calculate potential difference if current and resistance are known

  1. V = I R

  2. Potential Difference (V)

  3. Current (A)

  4. Resistance (Ω)
• Ohmic Conductor


  • A conductor for which current and potential difference are directly proportional
  • Resistance remains constant as current changes
  • Temperature must be constant
• Components for which resistance is not constant as current changes

  • Lamps
  • Diodes
  • Thermistors
  • Light Dependant Resistors (LDRs)
• Resistance of a filament lamp as temperature increases

  • Resistance increases
  • Ions in metal have more energy, so vibrate more, causing more collisions with electrons as they flow through the metal, creating greater resistance to current flow
• Current flow through a diode

  • The current only flows in one direction
  • Resistance is very high in the other direction, preventing current flow
• Resistance of a thermistor as temperature increases

  The thermistor's resistance decreases
• When a thermistor may be used

  • In a thermostat to turn a heater on below a certain temperature
  • In a freezer to turn on a cooler when the temperature becomes too high
• Resistance of a LDR as light intensity decreases


  The LDR's resistance increases
• Application for a LDR


  • Street lights often use LDRs
  • When light levels become too low, the light gains sufficient current to turn on
• Series


  Same loop
• Parallel


  Adjacent loop
• Series circuit


  • Total P.D is shared between each component
• Parallel circuit


  • P.D across each component is the same
• Total resistance of two resistors in parallel


  Less than the smallest of the two individual resistances
• Total resistance of two resistors in series

  Equal to the sum of the two individual resistances
• Current in a series circuit

  • The same at all positions since the charge only has one path to flow through
• Current in a parallel circuit

  • Shared between the different branches, charge splits when it reaches a junction
• Connecting an ammeter in a circuit to measure current


  Ammeters should be connected in series with the component that they are measuring current through
• Connecting a voltmeter in a circuit to measure potential difference

  Voltmeters should be connected in parallel to the component that they are measuring the potential difference of
• Connecting lamps in parallel

  If one lamp blows, the rest will be unaffected and can still receive current (i.e. the circuit is still complete)
• Mains electricity


  a.c supply
• a.c.


  Alternating Current
• d.c.


  Direct Current
• Alternating current


  Current that continuously changes direction at a specific frequency
• Direct current


  One directional current flow
• Mains electricity in the UK is an a.c supply
• The frequency of the UK mains electricity supply is 50 Hz
• The voltage of the UK mains electricity supply is 230V
• Wires in cables connecting electrical appliances to the mains

  • Live wire
  • Neutral wire
  • Earth wire
• Earth wire insulation colour

  Green and Yellow Stripes
• When the Earth wire carries a current


  1. Under normal circumstances, no current flows through the Earth wire

  2. If a fault occurs in the appliance (such as a surge or the casing becoming live), current will flow to the ground
• The neutral wire is at 0 Volts
• The potential difference between the live and earth wires is 230 Volts
• Purpose of the neutral wire

  To complete the circuit by connecting the appliance back to the mains supply
• Where the Earth wire is connected for metal appliances

  1. Earth wire is connected to the metal casing of the appliance

  2. If live wire becomes loose and touches the casing, the current will flow through the Earth wire, preventing electrocution
• State two equations for the power of a circuit

  1. P = I V

  2. P = I² R