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CHAPTER 7:
ELECTRICITY
7.1 Electric Fields and Charge Flow
7.1.1 Charge
• When the power supply is turned on, the talcum powder will map the electrical field
lines
• Sesame oil is used because it conducts electricity only at extremely high potential
difference
• The density of the field lines represent the intensity of the electric field
• A ping pong ball coated with metallic point is placed centrally between two metallic
plates connected to a very high voltage source.
• The ball is suspended with nylon string which is an electrical insulator.
• When the power supply is turned on, the ball will not move as it is initially neutral.
The charges on both sides neutralize each other.
• When the ball is pushed to one of the plates, the ball will oscillate between the plates
until the power supply is turned off.
• A candle is placed centrally between two metallic plates connected to a high voltage
power source.
• The candle flame splits into two opposite directions and is biased towards the
negative plate.
• This is because negative ions are lighter and move more quickly than the positive
ions. Negative ions are attracted towards the positive plate whereas the positive ions
are attracted towards the negative plate.
• During cloud formation, the friction of movement creates a lot of excess charge. This
induced positive charges on the objects below it.
• If the forces of attraction are strong enough, the negative charges in the clouds will be
attracted towards the positive charges of the objects, resulting in lightning.
7.1.8 Photocopiers
7.2.1 Current
Q = It
Potential difference: Work done to move 1 Coulomb of charge from one point to
another in an electric field.
E
V=
Q
V = IR
I/A
Non-ohmic conductors:
• Non-ohmic conductors are conductors which do not obey Ohm’s
Law.
• E.g., a light bulb whose resistance increases over time due to
temperature increase (heating effect of current)
Note: In this whole chapter, all conductors and light bulbs are assumed to follow Ohm’s
Law. There are no non-ohmic problems at this level.
Factor Influence
Length of conductor Length ↑ Resistance ↑
Cross-section area of conductor Cross-section ↑ Resistance ↓
Temperature Temperature ↑ Resistance ↑
Material Depends on material
Series Parallel
Circuit V V
I R1
I1
I
V1
R1 R2
I1 I2
I2 R2
V1 V2
V2
Resistance R = R1 + R2 1 1 1
= +
R R1 R2
Potential difference V = V1 + V2 V = V1 = V2
Current I = I1 = I2 I = I1 + I2
• Electromotive force is the work done by a source in driving a unit charge around a
complete circuit
r
• Before the switch is turned on
¾ The battery does not supply current to the light bulb
¾ Voltmeter reading = E.m.f. of battery R
• After the switch is turned on
¾ The battery supplies current which flows around the circuit
¾ Voltmeter measures the potential difference across the terminals of the battery
¾ The voltmeter reading drops due to internal resistance of the battery
EMF = IR + Ir
EMF = V + Ir
EMF = I (R + r)
E
P=
t
P = IV
• Electrical appliances are usually labeled by its voltage and power rating
• Voltage – required potential difference to operate the appliance
Power rating – energy dissipated by the appliance when the correct voltage is
supplied
Example:
Air conditioner with a power rating of 1 500 W is used for 20 hours. Cost per unit is
RM0.20.
7.5.4 Efficiency
Output power
Efficiency = × 100%
Input power