Electric Current

Electric current I is the rate of

the flow of charge Q through + +Q
a cross-section A in a unit of A
time t. t

Q 1C Wire
I 1A -
t 1s

One
One ampere
ampere AA isis charge
charge flowing
flowing at
at
the
the rate
rate of
of one
one coulomb
coulomb per
per second
second..
 Example 1. The electric current in a
wire is 6 A. How many electrons flow
past a given point in a time of 3 s?
q
I ; q It
t I=6A
q = (6 A)(3 s) = 18 C
Recall that: 1 e- = 1.6 x 10-19 C, then convert:
1e- 20
18 C 18 C 1,125 x 10 electrons
1.6 x 10-19C

In 3 s: 1.12 x 1020 electrons

 Conventional Current
Imagine a charged capacitor with Q = CV that is
allowed to discharge.
+ -
+ -
+ -
Electron flow: The direction
Electron of e- flowing from – to +.
e flow
-
+ Conventional current:
The motion of +q from
Conventional flow
+ to – has same effect.

Electric fields and potential are defined in terms

of +q, so we will assume conventional current
(even if electron flow may be the actual flow).
 Electromotive Force
A source of electromotive force (emf) is a
device that uses chemical, mechanical or
other energy to provide the potential
difference necessary for electric current.

Power lines Battery Wind generator

 Water Analogy to EMF
High Constriction Low High Resistor Low
pressure pressure potential potential
+ R
-
Water Valve I Switch

Flow E

Water Pump Source of

EMF

The source of emf (pump) provides the voltage

(pressure) to force electrons (water) through
electric resistance (narrow constriction).
 Electrical Circuit Symbols
Electrical circuits often contain one or more
resistors grouped together and attached to
an energy source, such as a battery.
The following symbols are often used:
Ground Battery Resistor
+ -

+ - + -
- + - + -
 Electric Resistance
Suppose we apply a constant potential difference
of 4 V to the ends of geometrically similar rods
of, say: steel, copper, and glass.
Steel Copper Glass

Is Ic Ig

4V 4V 4V
The current in glass is much less than for
steel or iron, suggesting a property of
materials called electrical resistance R.
 Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s law states that the current I through a
given conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference V between its end points.

Ohm ' s law : I V

Ohm’s law allows us to define resistance R
and to write the following forms of the law:

V V
I ; V IR; R
R I
Example 2. When a 3-V battery is
connected to a light, a current of 6 mA
is observed. What is the resistance of
the light filament?
V 3.0 V
R
I 0.006 A

RR == 500
500 + R
-
The SI unit for electrical I 6 mA
resistance is the ohm, V=3V
1V
1 Source of
1A EMF
 Factors Affecting Resistance
1. The length L of the material. Longer
materials have greater resistance.
L 2L
1 2
2. The cross-sectional area A of the material.
Larger areas offer LESS resistance.

A 2A
2
1
 Resistivity of a Material
The resistivity is a property of a material
that determines its electrical resistance R.

Recalling that R is directly proportional

to length L and inversely proportional
to area A, we may write:
L RA
R or
A L

The unit of resistivity is the ohm-meter ( m)

Example 3. What length L of copper wire is
required to produce a 4 m resistor? Assume
the diameter of the wire is 1 mm and that the
resistivity of copper is 1.72 x 10-8 .m .
2 2
D (0.001 m)
A A = 7.85 x 10-7 m2
4 4
L RA (0.004 )(7.85 x 10-7m2 )
R L -8
A 1.72 x 10 m

Required length is: L = 0.183 m

 Temperature Coefficient
For most materials, the resistance R changes
in proportion to the initial resistance Ro and
to the change in temperature t.
Change in R R0 t
resistance:
The temperature coefficient of resistance, is
the change in resistance per unit resistance
per unit degree change of temperature.

R 1
; Units: 0
R0 t C
Example 4. The resistance of a copper wire is
4.00 m at 200C. What will be its resistance if
heated to 800C? Assume that = 0.004 /Co.

Ro = 4.00 m t = 80oC – 20oC = 60 Co

0 0
R R0 t; R (0.004/ C )(4 m )(60 C )

RR == 1.03
1.03 m
m R = Ro + R

R = 4.00 m + 1.03 m

RR == 5.03
5.03 m
m
 Electric Power
Electric power P is the rate at which electric
energy is expended, or work per unit of time.
To charge C: Work = qV
Work qV q V q
P and I
t t t
Substitute q = It , then: I
V
VIt
P P = VI
t
 Calculating Power
Using Ohm’s law, we can find electric power
from any two of the following parameters:
current I, voltage V, and resistance R.

Ohm’s law: V = IR
2
2V
P VI ; P I R; P
R
Example 5. A power tool is rated at 9 A
when used with a circuit that provides 120-V.
What power is used in operating this tool?

P = VI = (120 V)(9 A) PP == 1080

1080 W
W

Example 6. A 500-W heater draws a current

of 10 A. What is the resistance?
P 500 W
P 2
I R; R RR == 5.00
5.00
I2 (10 A) 2
 Summary of Formulas
Electric
Electric Q 1C
I 1A
current:
current: t 1s

Ohm’s
Ohm’s Law
Law
V V
I ; V IR; R
R I
1 volt
Resistance: 1 ohm
1 ampere
 Summary (Cont.)
Resistivity
Resistivity of
of L RA
R or
materials:
materials: A L

Temperature
Temperature coefficient
coefficient of
of resistance:
resistance:
R 1
R R0 t ; Units: 0
R0 t C

2
Electric
Electric V 2
P VI ; P I R; P
Power P:
Power P: R