Introduction to Electricity & Magnetism

Dr Lisa Jardine-Wright Cavendish Laboratory

Examples of uses of electricity

Christmas lights

Cars

Electronic devices

Human body

Electricity?
Electricity is the presence and motion of charged particles. Electric current is the flow of charged particles around an closed path an electric circuit.

Electric Charge
There are two types of charge, which are labeled positive and negative. Like charges repel, Unlike charges attract. Charge is never created or destroyed.

Electric Charges
Charge arises because of a transfer of electrons. This charge, measured in units called Coulombs (C), is given by

Charge on an electron = 1.6x10

19

To charge an object means to transfer electrons from one object to another. They are not created or destroyed, just moved!

Electric Forces & Charge

If an electrical force moves a charge a certain distance, it does work on that charge. The work done by this force: Work done = charge x potential difference,

W = QV
Potential difference is the voltage drop across two points. Units of voltage = Volts (V)

Electric Current
Electric current is the charge flowing through a point per unit time. Current = Charge / Time

I=Q/t
Unit of current = Ampres (A) Two types of current in everyday life: Direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)

Electrical Resistance

Ohm's law states that, in an electrical circuit, the current passing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference across the two points. (providing physical conditions remain constant). Units of resistance = Ohms ()

Electrical Symbols & Units

Lamp

Resistor

Cell Voltage = Volts (V) Resistance = Ohms ()

Switch

Voltage, Current & Resistance

V I = R
I V R

V=IxR

+ -

Electrical Conductivity
Good electrical conductors, such as copper, have a low resistance. Poor electrical conductors, such as concrete, have a high resistance. Current is the flow of the outer electrons of atoms through the material. Resistance then results from collisions of electrons with other electrons and with atoms.

Solids: Insulators -vs- Conductors

Atomic structure of a solid: A lattice

Solids: Insulators -vs- Conductors

Electrons in the lattice

Bound to atoms

Free to move

INSULATOR

CONDUCTOR

Electric Circuits

Connecting in Series

I1 I

R1

I2 R2

I3

R3

+V -

Total R = R1+R2+R3 I = I1 = I 2 = I 3 I = V/R = V/(R1+R2+R3 )

Connecting in Parallel

+ V -

I I
R1

I1
R2

I2
R3

I3

1 1 1 1 = + + Total R: R R1 R 2 R 3

V I = I1 + I2 + I3 = R

Series -vs- Parallel

I3 3 I2 2 I I1 1

1 2 3 I1 I I2 I3

+ 6V

6V

Introducing a Switch
I

+ -

Sa

I2

I1

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Predict the Action of The Switches Sa - Sd

+ V -

Sa

Sd

Sc

Sb

Put Lamps 1-5 in Order of Brightness

+ V -

2 3 5

Put Lamps 1-5 in Order of Brightness

+ V -

2 3 5

Making Electricity

How Do Cells Work?

Electrodes (uncharged) made with different metals

Electrolyte: ionic solution

How Do Cells Work ?

electrode negatively charged

positive ions that pass into solution

How Do Cells Work?

Electrons

I 0

Ions

The Orange Cell

A

I ???

Magnetism
Natural magnets have North and South Poles. Like poles repel and opposite poles attract. Magnetic field lines flow from North to South. Natural magnets are made from Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt. Magnetic substances can be induced by magnets to become magnets.

The Dynamo
A dynamo converts kinetic energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.

Magnetic Field Around a Wire

Lenzs Law and Induction

Lenz's law enables us to determine the direction of the induced current: "The direction of the induced current is such as to oppose the change causing it."

Inducing a Current in a Coil

Inducing a Current in a Coil

Size of the electromotive force (voltage, V ) in a coil depends on: The strength of the magnet, B the cross-sectional area of the coil, A the number of loops in the coil, N And its frequency in or out of the coil, f

V = BANf

Making an Electromagnet
If you wrap a wire around an iron core, such as a nail, and you send electrical current through the wire, the nail will become highly magnetized.

Electricity Summary
Relation between voltage, current and resistance V=IxR Resistors in series

Total R = R1+R2+R3

1 1 1 1 = + + Resistors in parallel R R1 R 2 R 3

Magnetism Summary
A dynamo converts kinetic energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. Lenzs Law - "The direction of the induced current is such as to oppose the change causing it." Size of the electromotive force (voltage, V ) for a magnetically induced current

V = BANf