Introduction
Electricity is one of the most important sources of energy. Lights, fans, motors, radios and television are some common appliances which work on electricity.
Electric Potential and Potential Difference
'Electrical potential' is a condition, which determines the direction of the flow of charge.
Electrostatic Potential
The electrostatic potential is defined as the work done in bringing a single positive charge from infinity to a point in the electric field. Any point outside the electric field or space is called infinite point.
Electric Current
If two charged bodies of different potentials are placed one beside the other, the charges will not move from one body to the other.
Electric Circuits and their Components
The devices which deliver electricity are called the 'sources'and lamps, electric engines, etc. which consume electricity are called 'loads'. Switches are used to switch the loads on and off whenever necessary.
Ohm's Law
George Ohm showed that the flow of electric current through a wire depended on its 'resistance' and the potential difference between its ends.
Conductors and Insulators
Substances which allow electricity to pass through them easily are called conductors.
Combination of Resistors in Series and Parallel
Resistors can be combined in different ways. When two or more resistors are connected end to end consecutively, so that the same current flows through all of them then, the resistors are said to be in series.
Factors Affecting Resistance
Resistance of a conductor is directly proportional to the length of the wire i.e., longer the wire greater will be the resistance and shorter the wire smaller will be the resistance.
Law of Combination of Resistors in Series
The equivalent resistance is the sum of the individual resistances connected in series. The above result can be generalised for 'n' number of resistances of different values as R = R1+ R2 +............ + Rn.
Law of Combination of Resistors in Parallel
If the resistors are connected in parallel, the reciprocal of the equivalent resistance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of all the individual resistances.
Heating Effect of Electric Current
Energy exists in various forms such as mechanical energy, heat energy, chemical energy, electrical energy, light energy and nuclear energy.
Electric Power
Power is the rate of doing work or in other words, it is the work done in one second.
Commercial Unit of Electrical Energy
The unit 'watt' is very small. Therefore, in actual practice we use a much larger unit called 'kilowatt'. It is equal to 1000 watts.
Rating of Electrical Appliances
Generally electrical appliances such as an electric bulb, geyser, heater, etc. are rated with power and voltage.
Summary
Electric potential is the condition that determines direction of flow of charge. Electrical potential at a point in an electric field is defined as the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point.
Question and Answers
Question and Answers 1
Multiple Choice Questions
