ELECTRICITY

1.
2.
3.
4.

INTRODUCTION ________________________________________________________
ELECTRICITY
FOUNDAMENTALS OF ELE
CTRICITY ___________________________________
EFFECTS
EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY _____________________________________________
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS ___________________________________________________
4.1.
4.2.

5.

Tension or Voltage (V) ____________________________________________________ 5

Current (I) ________________________________________________________________ 5
Resistance (R) ____________________________________________________________ 5

OHMS LAW ____________________________________________________________ 6

TYPES OF CIRCUITS ___________________________________________________ 6
7.1.
7.2.
7.3.

8.

Components of an electric circuit ___________________________________________ 3

Symbols of electric components ____________________________________________ 5

ELECTRICAL
ELECTRI
CAL MAGNITUDES ____________________________________________ 5
5.1.
5.2.
5.3.

6.
7.

1
2
2
3

Series circuit _____________________________________________________________ 6

Parallel circuit ____________________________________________________________ 7
Mixed circuit______________________________________________________________
9
circuit

MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL MAGNITUDES ________________________ 9

8.1.
8.2.
8.3.

Current intensity ammeter________________________________________________

9
ammeter
Voltage voltmeter ______________________________________________________ 10
Resistance ohmmeter ___________________________________________________ 11

9. ELECTRICAL SAFETY _________________________________________________ 12

10. ELECTRICITY AND ENVIROMENT____________________________________ 13
11. EXERCISES__________________________________________________________ 14

1. INTRODUCTION
Electricity is around us. Modern life would be impossible without it. Here are
just a few examples:
In your house, you probably find electrical outlets where you can
plug in all sorts of electrical appliances.
Most portable devices contain batteries, which produce varying
amounts of electricity depending on their size.
During a thunderstorm, there are huge bolts of electricity called
lightning that shoot down from the sky.
It is easy to create electricity from sunlight using a solar cell; or
you can create electricity from the movement with a generator.
Ellectrical energy can be stored in batteries.
It is hard to imagine modern people living without electricity.

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2. FOUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY
Matter is made up of atoms. Atoms contain particles
called: protons, electrons and neutrons.
Protons have a positive charge
Electrons have a negative charge
Neutrons have no charge
Electrons are a fundamental part of electricity. In many materials, electrons can
move form one atom to another.
The electric current is the movement of electrons trough a material.
From the electrical point of view there are different kinds of materials:

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- If the electrons dont move, the material doesnt conduct electricity and is
insulator. These materials have a very high ellectrical
called an insulator
resistance. Some materials which are electrical insulators are for
example: plastic, glass, ceramic...
- If the electrons can move through the material, it is an electrical
conductor.. These materials have a low ellectrical resistance. For example
conductor
water and metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron.
- Semiconductors are material wich conduct en some special conditions, are
used in ellectronic devices: silicon, germanium, etc.
- Superconductors:
Superconductors the material has no ellectrical resistance.

3. EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY

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Electricity is a strong invisible force that gives power to machinery, lights,

heaters and many other forms of equipment.
Moving electrons have energy. As the electrons move from one point to another,
this energy can provide:
Heat:
Heat when the electrical current flows through a material, it heats.

Toasters, hair dryers and space heaters turn electricity

into heat.

Light:
Light an electric current flowing through a material increases its
temperature and produces light.

In an incandescent bulb, for example, the energy of the

electrons is used to create heat, and the heat in turn
creates light.

Fluorescent lamps, LEDs turn electricity into light.

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Movement:
Movement

Electric motors turn electricity into motion.

Sound:

Speakers turn electricity into sound waves.

Information and communication technology:

technology:

Computers turn electricity into information.

Telephones turn electricity into communication.

TVs turn electricity into moving pictures.

Radios turn electricity into electromagnetic waves that can

travel millions of miles.

4. ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

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An electric circuit is an unbroken path along which an electric current exists or

is able to flow.

4.1.

Components of an electric circuit

The basic components of a circuit are:

Conductors
These are the wires that connect the different
elements of the circuit which allow the flow of
electricity. The wires are usually made of copper
and covered with plastic in order to isolate them.
Power supply
This is a device that causes energy to flow through
the circuit. A battery, a generator or an alternator
are examples of power supplies. All of them
transform a type of energy into electrical energy.
Batteries are used in small devices. They transform
chemical energy into electrical energy. There are
different kinds, for example:

Normal batteries, which are the most commonly used.

Alkaline batteries, which last longer.
Rechargeable batteries, which can be recharged several times.
Button batteries, which are smaller but pollute the most.

All batteries contain toxic materials so they can not be thrown into the rubbish.
There are special containers for collecting and recycling used batteries.
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Generators or alternators, which produces electrical energy in electrical

power stations.
Output devices: Appliances
Appliances
These elements receive electrical energy and
transform it into other types of useful energy
(light, heat, movement, sound, etc.).

Bulbs: they transform electrical energy into
light.

Motors: they transform electrical energy into
movement.

Bells: they transform electrical energy into sound.

Heaters: they transform electrical energy into heat.

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Control elements
These elements are used to control circuits. You can
use them to open, close and switch between different
circuits. There are different kinds such us push button
switch, on-off switch, 2-way switch, etc.
Circuit protection elements
If too much electrical current passes through a wire, it heats up and
a fire can start. To avoid this, most electrical circuits, including
those in houses, use fuses (as its shown in the figure on the left). A
fuse is a device -normally a wire- that burns up and breaks if too
much electricity goes through it. The element in the fuse melts,
opening the circuit and preventing other components of the circuit
from being damaged by the over current.
To establish an electric circuit there must be two requirements:
1. A closed path for the electrons to flow.
2. An energy supply which creates an electric potential difference across the
two ends of the electrical circuit.
With only these two requirements we get a short
circuit. The charge flows between the terminals and a
lot of energy is consumed. The circuit heats the wire
to a high temperature and a fire might break out.
In practice,
serve a useful
bulb, a motor,
electricity for a

electrical circuits are designed to

function. So the circuit must have a
a bell or a similar device that uses
specific function.

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4.2.

Symbols of electric components

Schemes are used to represent electrical circuits in which each element is

identified by a symbol.

Here you can see an example of an electrical circuit,

containing some of these elements:

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5. ELECTRICAL MAGNITUDES
5.1.

Tension or Voltage (V)

Voltage is the force that causes a current to flow. It is a measurement of the

level of the electrical energy. Voltage is measured in volts (V).
For example:
A small battery used in an alarm clock has 1.5 volts.

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Electricity at home is supplied at 230 volts.

For a flow of current there must be a different energy level between two points
of the circuit (voltage). A generator is the device that produces the voltage
needed in a particular circuit.
5.2.

Current (I)

Current is the number of electrons flowing through a circuit in a second. Its

measured in amperes (A).

5.3.

Resistance (R)

Resistance is anything which opposes the flow of current in a circuit. The

resistance is measured in ohms ()
Longer wires have higher resistance.
Resistance increases as the cross-sectional area of the wire decreases.
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Electrical insulators offer a very high resistance.
Electrical conductors offer very low resistance.
Resistors can be used to control the current in a circuit.
A variable resistor is used to adjust the flow of current in a circuit.

6. OHMS LAW
The relationship between current, voltage and resistance was discovered by
George Ohm. From experiments, he found that:
V = I R

This expression can also be written in other ways:

R=

V
I

I=

V
R

Looking at the last equation we can see that if the voltage increases, but the
resistance is constant, the current also increases.

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7. TYPES OF CIRCUITS
Circuits exist in all kinds of different places. The lighting in school or home,
street lights, torches and alarm systems all have circuits that are fairly simple.
Circuits are found in calculators, computers, televisions, radios, cars, medical
equipment, aircraft, the Internet, factories, telephones and many more places.

7.1.

Series circuit

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Components that are placed one after another in the circuit are connected in
series. The current that flows across each component has the same value.

The diagram on the right shows a circuit

with two lamps connected in series. If one
lamp breaks, the other lamp will not
not light.

This circuit is another example of series

circuit. Different types of components can
be connected in series.

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7.2.

Parallel circuit

If we connect several electric

components as shown in the figure
on the right, we say that they are
connected in parallel.

The scheme on the right shows a

circuit with two lamps connected in
parallel. If one lamp breaks, the
other lamp will still light.

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Series circuit
circuit

Parallel circuit

Scheme of
the circuit

The effect is to add

more resistance to
Resistance the circuit

The effect is to reduce the resistance

of the circuit
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RTotal = R1 + R2

Voltage

Current

RTotal

1
1
+
R1 R2

The voltage of the

supply is shared
The voltage across each component in
parallel, is the same
between the
components in series
VTotal = V1 = V2
VTotal = V1 + V2
The current that
flows across each
component connected
in series is the same

The current is shared between each

component connected in parallel
I Total = I 1 + I 2

I Total = I 1 = I 2

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Examples of circuits:
Series circuit
R1= 2

R2= 4

R3= 6

V = 12 V

RTotal = 2 + 4 + 6 = 12

I Total =

VTotal 12V
=
= 1A
RTotal 12

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V1 = I TOT * R1 = 1A * 2 = 2V
V2 = I TOT * R2 = 1A * 4 = 4V
V3 = I TOT * R3 = 1A * 6 = 6V
VTOT = V1 + V2 + V3 = 2V + 4V + 6V = 12V
Parallel circuit

R 1= 2

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V =12 V

1
R Total

R 2= 4

R 3= 6

1 1 1 6 + 3 + 2 11
+ + =
=
2 4 6
12
12
RTotal =

I Total =

12

11

VTotal
12V
=
= 11A
RTotal 12

11

V1=V2=V3 = 12 V

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I1 =

V1 12V
=
= 6A
R1 2

I2 =

V2 12V
=
= 3A
R2
4

I3 =

V3 12V
=
= 2A
R3 6

I TOT = I 1 + I 2 + I 3 = 6 A + 3 A + 2 A = 11A

7.3.

Mixed circuit

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If a circuit has components connected both in series and in parallel, we call it a

mixed circuit.

8. MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL MAGNITUDES

8.1.

Current intensity ammeter

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An ammeter is an instrument which is used to measure the flow of an electric

current in a circuit.

Diagrams A and B below show a circuit before and after connecting an ammeter.

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The ammeter must be connected in series with the resistor.

Ammeters must have a LOW resistance.

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(All the current flowing in the circuit must pass through the ammeter. As meters
are not supposed to alter the behaviour of the circuit, or at least not
significantly, the ammeter must have a very LOW resistance).

8.2.

Voltage voltmeter

A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring the voltage between two points
in an electric circuit.

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Diagram C shows the same circuit after connecting a voltmeter:

A

To measure the voltage, the circuit is not changed: the voltmeter is

connected in parallel.
Voltmeters must have a HIGH resistance.

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8.3.

Resistance ohmmeter

An ohmmeter is an instrument used to measure the resistance of a particular

component of an electric circuit.

To measure resistance, the component must be removed from the circuit.

A multimeter or a multitester is an electronic measuring

instrument that combines several functions in one unit.
The most basic instruments include an ammeter,
voltmeter, and ohmmeter.

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If you want to measure the resistance of a particular

component, you must take it out of the circuit and test it
separately, as shown in diagram D.

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9. ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Electricity can light lamps, can work televisions and many other things we use in
our everyday life but it is important not to get in electricity's way because it can
harm you. Electricity can be dangerous, we need to take care and keep
ourselves safe. If you contact the electricity in an appliance, power cord, or
power line, you could be seriously injured or killed.

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Here are some safety rules to help us:

Respect the power of electricity.
Never put anything into sockets.
If you use and adaptor be careful not to overload the socket.
Never poke anything into electrical machines.
Never play with electrical cords, wires, switches, or plugs.
If a plug or switch becomes hot in use turn it off.
If an appliance works improperly or gives the slightest warning of a problem,
such as shocks or sparks, disconnect it and have it serviced.
Never repair a break in an outdoor extension cord. Throw the cord away and
buy a new one.
Protect cords from heat, chemicals and oil. Coil cords loosely when storing
tools. If cords are broken, get new ones or shorten them.
Keep cords out of walking areas where people could trip over them.
Dont use appliances with a frayed flex or a cracked plug. Tell an adult about
it
Never use a hairdryer or play an electrical radio or television into the
bathroom or use them near any water.
Make sure your hands are dry before you touch anything electrical.
Never throw water on an electrical fire.
Stay away from power equipment.
Stay away from broken power lines. Tell an adult.
Take extra precautions when using power tools. Your electrical wiring should
be adequate for the job. Circuits should be grounded. The tools should be
insulated.
If you encounter an electrical-injured victim, do not touch the person until
they have been freed from the source of electricity. You can use a nonconductor, such dry rope or wood to push or pull the victim away from the
power source.
Stay away from substations and transformers.
Inform your teacher of faulty equipment in the workshop

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10.

ELECTRICITY AND ENVIROMENT

The generation and use of electricity affects the environment. Engineers and
scientists are developing new environmentally-friendly ways of generating
electricity. There are lots of ideas such as: nuclear power, wind power, solar
power, wave power, tidal power, and biomass energy.
Below we can see some examples of the environmental impact of the electricity,
both of its generation and its use:
The variety of fuels - coal, oil or natural gas - used to generate
electricity has impact on the environment. The fossil fuels are burned to
create steam. This steam is used to turn a turbine which will move the
electric generator. The smoke and gas from burning fossil fuels pollutes
the air. For example: sulphur dioxide and NOx emissions contribute to acid
rain and carbon emissions contribute to global climate change.
The force of water -used in a hydro-electric facility- to turn the turbines
and the generator disrupts the natural flow of a river with negative effects
on fish and water plants.
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Nuclear power plants are generating and accumulating radioactive waste.

Some of the renewable energy facilities can affect wildlife (fish and birds)
and the disruption of land uses
Since electricity is very important in our daily lives, we are demanding more
electricity service everyday and we are polluting and increasing the damage to
our environment. We must avoid it by using electricity efficiently and obtaining it
from the cleanest sources available.

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There are also, some things we can do to save energy in order not only to
preserve the world but either to save money, such us:
Insulate your walls, windows and ceilings.
Set your clothes washer to the warm or cold water setting, not hot.
Make sure your dishwasher and wash machine is full when you run it and
use the energy saving setting, if available.
Select the most energy-efficient models when you replace your old
appliances.
Be careful not to overheat or overcool rooms.
Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights.
Whenever possible, walk, bike, car pool, or use mass transit.
Reduce the amount of waste you produce by buying minimally packaged
goods, choosing reusable products over disposable ones, and recycling.

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11.

EXERCISES

The following exercises can be used to do with our pupils all around the lesson:
1. Tell which of the following materials good conductors are: rubber, copper,
nylon, glass, iron and wood.
2. Complete the following sentences:
a. The force that is applied to a conductor to cause current to flow is
_______________
b. With an increase of length or a decrease of cross-section of a conductor
the resistance ________________
c. Current must always be expressed in _________________
d. The total current of a simple circuit with a voltage supply of 12 volts and
a resistance of 24 is _________

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e. When you have three bulbs connected in series through all of them will
flow the same _________________
f. When a lamp breaks and others continue working, they are connected in
______________

3. A current of 3 A, flows through a resistor of 6 .What is the voltage across

R?
4. What is the resistance of a circuit that is crossed by a current of 2 A and the
voltage is 40 V?
5. In a circuit R=2 . What will be the current flowing through it if the voltage is
60 V?

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6. How are the bulbs connected in each of these circuits?

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7. In these drawings there are various connections between bulbs and motors
and one or more batteries. Say which circuits will work and describe what
will happen in each case.

8. What is the difference between these two circuits? Which is right? Why?

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A)

B)

M
M

9. Which of these are electrical appliances?

Torch, book, radio, mobile phone, lamp, computer, television and plastic cup.

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10. Can you fill the gaps with the words listed?
Batteries, safer, mains, water, dangerous.
Electrical appliances run on mains oror sometimes both.
The mains supply of electricity is very Batteries are
usuallythan the Never letnear electrical
appliances.
11. Match the words in the first column to the best available answer in the
second column:
_____ switch

1) energy source for a circuit

_____ battery

2) measures the potential difference across any two

points of a circuit
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_____ resistor

3) ratio of potential energy to current

_____ voltmeter

4) potential energy per unit of charge

_____ ammeter

5) converts electric energy into other forms

_____

potential
difference

6) a device for closing and opening a circuit

_____ current

7) measure the current flowing through a circuit

_____ resistance

8) a flow of electric charge

12. Match the symbols with their names:

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1. Resistor
2. Motor
3. Battery

4. two way switch

5. Fuse
6. Bulb

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13. What would happen in this circuit if:

a.
b.
c.
d.

The motor blows

Bulb 1 blows
Bulb 2 blows
You open or close
switch 1
e. You open or close
switch 2

I1

M
I2
B2

B1

14. In each of the two circuits indicate which bulb will be lit if:
a. You close all of the switches except switch A
b. You close all of the switches except switch B
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c. You close all of the switches except switch C
A

15. Calculate the amount of current flowing through the following circuits:

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16. Calculate the total resistance and the total current which flows the circuit in
the following examples:

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17. Calculate the electrical magnitudes in the table in each one of the following
circuits.

R total

I total

R total

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I total

R total

I total

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R total

I total

R total

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R total

I total

R1

R total

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I total

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