Chapter 11 Electricity
Introduction to Class 10 Electricity
The Class 10 science chapter 12, ‘Electricity’, attempts to answer questions like what
constitutes electricity, what are some of the factors that control or regulate the flow of
electricity and how electricity flows in an electric circuit. The heating effects of electric
current and its applications are also discussed in detail. In our attempts to understand
the constitution of electric current atomic structure is discussed.
Atomic Structure
An atom has a positively charged nucleus and negatively charged electrons revolving
around it.
Valence electrons in metals are free to move within the conductor and constitute an electric
current.
Charge
The charge is an intrinsic property of matter by virtue of which it can exert
electromagnetic force.
Conductors and Insulators
A substance which offers comparatively less opposition to the flow of current is known
as a conductor, and substances which offer larger opposition are called insulators.
Some examples of conductors include copper, iron and steel. Some of examples of
insulators include glass, dry wood and cotton.
Electric Potential and Potential Difference
The electric potential at a point is defined as work done in bringing a unit positive
charge from infinity to that point. The potential difference between two points is
defined as the difference in electric potentials at the two given points. The electrons
move only if there is a difference in electric pressure called the potential difference.
One Volt is defined as energy consumption of one joule per electric charge of one
coulomb.
Mathematically, electric potential between two points is given as:
\(\begin{array}{l} V=\frac{W}{Q}\end{array} \)
where V is the potential difference, W is the work done, Q is the electric charge.
Electric Current(I)
Flow of electric charges is called electric current, i.e, I = Q / t
Models of Electric Current
Drift Velocity of Electron
It is the average velocity that an electron attains inside a metallic conductor due to the
application of an electric field due to the potential difference.
Battery and Its Working
A cell is a source of potential difference, which is created inside it due to internal
chemical reactions.
At anode: Cu(s)⇌Cu2+(aq)+2e−
At cathode: Ag(aq)+2e−⇌2Ag(s)
A combination of cells is called a battery.
Electric Circuit
Electric Circuit and Circuit Diagram
A closed-loop path which a current takes is called an electric circuit.
The representation of an electric circuit through symbols is called a circuit diagram.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s Law
The current flowing through an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the applied
potential difference between the two ends of the conductor. Ohm’s Law states the
relationship between the potential difference across a conductor and the current
through it
Resistance
Resistance is a measure of the opposition offered to the current flow in an electric
circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms. All materials resist current flow up to some
degree. All materials fall into one of two broad categories: Conductors and Insulators.
Factors Affecting Resistance & How They Affect
Resistance is:
Directly proportional to the length of the conductor.
Directly proportional to the nature of the conductor.
Directly proportional to the temperature of the conductor.
Inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the conductor.
Mathematically, this is represented as:
\(\begin{array}{l}R=\frac{\rho l}{A}\end{array} \)
Resistivity
The electrical resistance offered by a substance of unit length and unit cross-sectional
area is called resistivity.
\(\begin{array}{l}h\rho=\frac{RA}{l} \end{array} \)
Ohmic and Non-Ohmic Resistors
Resistors which follow Ohm’s Law are called Ohmic resistors, and those which do not
follow it are called Non-Ohmic resistors.
Superconductors
Conductors which offer zero resistance to the flow of current are called
superconductors. Prominent examples of superconductors include aluminium,
niobium, magnesium diboride, and cuprates such as yttrium barium, copper oxide and
iron pnictides.
Combination of Resistors
Combination of Resistors
Two resistors are said to be combined in series if they carry the same current.
Two resistors are said to be combined in parallel if the same potential difference is applied
to them.
Equivalent Resistance of a System of Resistors
The equivalent resistance of two resistors is given as:
In series, Req=R1+R2
In parallel, 1/Req= 1/R1+ 1/R2
EMF and Terminal Voltage
EMF: The potential difference between the two terminals of a cell when there is no current
flowing through the circuit.
Terminal voltage: The potential difference between the two terminals of a cell when current
is flowing through the circuit.
Electric Power and AC
Heating Effect of Current
Joule’s Law:
Heat (H) ∝ square of the current (I).
H ∝ Resistance of the given circuit.
H ∝ Time (t) for which current flows through the conductor.
When a potential difference is established, it causes electrons to move, i.e. flow of
current.
Uses of Heating Effect of Electric Current
The heating effect of current is applied in the working of electrical heating appliances
such as electric kettles, electric iron, room heaters, water heaters (geysers), etc.
Electric Power
The rate of doing work or the rate of consumption of electrical energy is called Electric Power.
If W is work done in time t, then P=W/t.
S.I. unit is Watt(W). One watt of power is consumed when 1 A of current flows at a potential
difference of 1 V.
The commercial unit of electrical energy is a kilowatt-hour (kWh).
1kWh = 3,600,000J = 3.6×106J
Represented as P=I2R and P=V2/R.
One kilowatt-hour is defined as the amount of energy consumed when 1kW of power is used
for 1 hour.
Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 10 Physics Notes
Chapter 12 Electricity
Q1 What is an electric circuit?
An electric circuit is a path for transmitting electric current. It is used in lamps, motors,
computers and many other electronic devices.
Q2 What does ‘Ohm’s Law’ state?
Ohm’s Law states that the current through a conductor is proportional to the voltage
across the conductor.
Q3 What is electric power?
The rate, per unit of time, at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric current
is known as electric power.
