1. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Electric Current Part 2
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Page

2. What is an Electrical Current?
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
What is an Electrical Current?
An electrical current is defined as a flow of positive charges from a positive electrode to a negative electrode.
Page

3. What is an Electrical Circuit?
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
What is an Electrical Circuit?
An electrical circuit is a complete pathway that allows positive charges (actually electrons) to flow.
Page

4. Parts of Electrical Circuits
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Parts of Electrical Circuits
Most electrical circuits have four main components: a power source to make a current flow, a path(s) for current to move through, a device (load) that runs off the energy that the current gives it and a switch to start and stop current flow.
Page

5. Symbols for Electrical Circuits
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
When drawing electrical circuits, symbols are used to represent parts of the circuit. These symbols need to be memorized.
Page

6. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Sketch a Circuit
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
From the picture make a circuit diagram.
Page

7. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Sketch a Circuit
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
From the picture make a circuit diagram.
Page

8. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Sketch a Circuit
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
From the picture make a circuit diagram.
Page

9. Measuring an Electrical Current
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
An electrical current is measured with a device called an ammeter. This device records the number of charges passing through it per second. Specifically, a current of 1 ampere (amp) is a flow past a point of 1 coulomb of charge per second (1 A = 1C/s). The ampere is named in honor of Andre-Marie Ampere who investigated electrical current.
Page

10. What is a Coulomb of Charge?
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
A coulomb is the amount of charge carried by x electrons or protons. It is a – x 1018 electrons or a x 1018 protons. The unit of coulomb is named in honor of Charles-Augustin de Coulomb who investigated many laws of electrical charges.
Page

11. Electrical Current Formula
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
I = Q/t (I is current, Q is charge and t is time)
1 A = 1 C/s (A is amps of current, C is coulombs of charge and s seconds of time)
Page

12. Electrical Current is Measured by an Ammeter
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
An ammeter measure electrical current. It is placed in line so that all the electrical current passes through it.
Page

13. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Voltage, The “Push” Behind or Energy Carried by the Charge (Current) Moving
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Voltage is defined as the energy carried per unit of charge. It is the energy in Joules (J) per Coulomb (C) of charge.
V = E/Q, 1 Volt = 1 Joule/Coulomb
Page

14. Measuring Voltage Rise and Drop (Voltmeter)
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Since voltage is a potential difference between two regions, voltage is measured with a voltmeter at two points in an electrical circuit to see the difference in voltage at these two points. If the voltage is measured across the power source, it will be a voltage (energy) rise. If the voltage is measured across a load, it will be a voltage (energy) drop.
Page

15. Measuring Voltage Rise and Drop (Voltmeter)
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Since voltage is a potential difference between two regions, voltage is measured with a voltmeter at two points in an electrical circuit to see the difference in voltage at these two points. If the voltage is measured across the power source, it will be a voltage (energy) rise. If the voltage is measured across a load, it will be a voltage (energy) drop.
Page

16. Ammeter and Voltmeter : Different Connections
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
An ammeter is placed directly in the current flow to measure it while the voltmeter is placed with connections at two different locations to measure the voltage difference at these two points.
Page

17. Electrical Resistance : Ohms
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Electrical Resistance is the property of any material that slows the flow of current through it. There is resistance to current flow because current bumps up against atoms and bounces back before resuming its flow.
Page

18. Electrical Resistance : Different for Different Substances
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Some substances have high resistance (insulators).
Some metals have higher resistance than others (nichrome is higher than aluminum which is higher than copper)
Copper is commonly used in electrical circuits because it has very low electrical resistance.
Page

19. Electrical Resistance : Affected by a Conductor’s Thickness
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
The thicker a wire, the lower its electrical resistance, just like it is easier to suck up a milkshake through a thicker straw than a thinner straw.
Page

20. Electrical Resistance : Greater With Longer Wires
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Electrical Resistance : Greater With Longer Wires
The longer a wire, the greater its electrical resistance since the current bumps into more atoms along its way, slowing its progress.
Page

21. Resistance of Wires and Loads
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
In a circuit, the electrical resistance of wires is usually very low (so that energy is not lost in the wires) but the electrical resistance of the load(s) is high because they use up the most of the energy that the charge is carrying.
Page

22. Electrical Resistance Produces Heat
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
The more electrical resistance a wire has, the more heat it produces. Devices that produce heat (like toaster elements or stove elements) use conductors with high electrical resistance. Resistance takes energy from the current and turns it into heat.
Page

23. Measuring Electrical Resistance : Ohms
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Electrical resistance is measured in ohms (Ω), a unit named in honor for Georg Ohm who made many discoveries about electrical circuits.
Page

24. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Resistors
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
A resistor is a device placed in an electrical circuit to control the flow (amperes) of current. Its symbol is shown below right.
Page

25. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Resistor Colour Code
Resistors come with colour bands and these indicate what resistance the manufacturer made these with.
Page

26. Find The Resistor’s Resistance
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Page

27. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
What is its Resistance?
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Page

28. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
What is its Resistance?
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Page

29. Ohm’s Law : Relation Between Volts Amps and Resistance
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
In an electrical circuit, the more voltage (“push”) applied to a current, the more current will flow and the more resistance in the conductor, the less current will flow.
R = V / I
Page

30. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Ohm’s Law : R = V / I
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
In an electrical circuit, the ratio of the voltage to the current is a constant (the resistance). The more voltage (“push”) applied to a current, the more current will flow. R = V / I
Page

31. Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Ohm’s Law : R = V / I
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
In the voltage (“push”) applied to a current doubles (like the circuit to the right), the current will also double if the resistance is the same. R = 2V / 2I or R = V / I
Page

32. Using the Ohm’s Law Equation, R = V / I
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
Using the Ohm’s Law Equation, R = V / I
Put the letters of the equation into a triangle as shown with V over top of I (V/I). To find a resistance, divide V by I. To find current I, divide V by R. To find voltage V, multiply I times R. In the pyramid below, the horizontal lines (---) stand for division and the vertical line (|) stands for multiplication.
Page

33. Using the Ohm’s Law Formula for Problems
Science 9 : Introduction to Current Electricity
In problems, determine what is given and what is to be determined (the unknown). Rewrite Ohm’s Law to determine what operation (multiplication or division) needs to be performed.
If I is unknown, I = V/R
If R is unknown, R = V/I
If V is unknown, V = I x R
Page