Electric Current

and Ohm’s Law

Module 6.
Introduction:
• In this chapter we consider situations involving electric
charges that are not in equilibrium.
• We use the term electric current, or simply current, to
describe the rate of flow of charge through some
region of space.
• Most practical applications of electricity deal with
electric currents.
Module 6.
Introduction: Module 6.

• For example, the battery in a flashlight produces a current

in the filament of the bulb when the switch is turned on.
• A variety of home appliances operate on alternating
current.
• In these common situations, current exists in a conductor,
such as a copper wire.
• It also is possible for currents to exist outside a conductor.
• For instance, a beam of electrons in a television picture
tube constitutes a current.
 Module 6.
Introduction:
• This chapter begins with the definition of current.
• A microscopic description of current is given, and some
of the factors that contribute to the opposition to the
flow of charge in conductors are discussed.
• We also define electrical resistance and introduce a
new circuit element, the resistor.
• We conclude by discussing the rate at which energy is
transferred to a device in an electric circuit.
Module Learning Objectives:
• Define electric current and resistance.
• Apply ohm’s law to simple circuit.
• Differentiate direct current from alternating current.
• Evaluate electric power generated from mechanical
energy, calculate household consumption and
implement power saving measures.

Module 6.
Electric Current Module 6.
Electric Current Module 6.
Electric Current Module 6.
Electric Current Module 6.

• A Current (I) of electricity exists in a region when a net

electric charge is transferred from one point to
another in that region.
• The current of a charge q transported through a given
cross section of a wire in a time t is
𝒒
𝑰=
𝒕
• where q is in coulombs, t is in seconds, and I is in amperes
(1A = 1C/s).
Electric Current Module 6.

• Charges in motion
through an area A.
• The time rate at which
charge flows through the
area is defined as the
current I.
• The direction of the
current is the direction in
which positive charges
flow when free to do so.
Electric Current Module 6.

• It is conventional to assign to the current the same

direction as the flow of positive charge.
• In electrical conductors, such as copper or aluminum,
the current is due to the motion of negatively charged
electrons.
• Therefore, when we speak of current in an ordinary
conductor, the direction of the current is opposite the
direction of flow of electrons.
Electric Current
• If we are considering a beam of positively charged
protons in an accelerator, the current is in the direction
of motion of the protons.
• In some cases such as those involving gases and
electrolytes, for instance the current is the result of the
flow of both positive and negative charges.

Module 6.
 Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
• Most electric circuits use circuit elements called
RESISTORS to control the current level in the various
parts of the circuit.
• Two common types of resistors are:
a) the composition resistor, which contains carbon, and
b) the wire-wound resistor, which consists of a coil of
wire.
Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law Module 6.

RESISTORS
Resistance and Ohm’s Law Module 6.

RESISTORS
Resistance and Ohm’s Law Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law

• When charge is allowed to flow through the ends of a

conductor, the material tends to oppose the flow at a
rate depending upon its length and area of cross-
section.
• This opposition to charge flow is called the resistance of
the conductor, which varies directly as the length of the
material and inversely as the area of the cross-section.
Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law Module 6.
Resistance
𝐿
𝑅∞ taking into account the composition of the conductor
𝐴
𝐿
𝑅= 𝜌
𝐴

where R = resistance, Ohm (Ω)

L = length, meter (m)
A = area of cross-section, (m2)
𝜌 = resistivity of material, Ohm-m (Ω)
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Voltage
• It is the difference in electric potential between two
points.
• The difference in electric potential between two
points in a static electric field is defined as the work
needed per unit of charge to move a test charge
between the two points.
Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s Law
• Ohm’s law, named after Georg Simon Ohm (1789–
1854) states that the current flowing in a conductor
is proportional to the difference in potential across
its terminal.

Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s Law
• The proportionality is called the resistance of the device to
the flow of charge that develops the current in it.

𝑽 = 𝑰𝑹
• The equation above is applied to any resistor, where V is the
potential difference (V) between the two ends of the
resistor, I (A) is the current through the resistor, and R (Ω) is
the resistance of the resistor.
Module 6.
Resistance and Ohm’s Law Module 6.

Ohm’s Law
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
• The Resistance (R) of a wire or other object is a
measure of the potential difference (V) that must be
impressed across the object to cause a current of 1 A
to flow through it
𝑽
𝑹=
𝑰
• The unit of resistance is the ohm, for which the
symbol Ω = 1 V/A.
Module 6.
Example 1.

A steady current of 0.50 A flows through a wire. How

much charge passes through the wire in one minute?
Given: I = 0.50 A
t = 1 min = 60 seconds
Required: q (charge)
Module 6.
Example 1.
Solution:

From the equation of electric current,

𝒒
𝑰=
𝒕

𝒒 = 𝑰 𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎 𝑨 𝟔𝟎 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝟑𝟎 𝑪
Module 6.
Example 2.
A light bulb has a resistance of 240 Ω when lit. How
much current will flow through it when it is connected
across 120 V, its normal operating voltage?
Given: R = 240 Ω
V = 120 V
Required: I (current)
Module 6.
Example 2.

Solution:
From the equation of resistance,
𝑽
𝑹=
𝑰
𝑽 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝑽
𝑰= = = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝑨
𝑹 𝟐𝟒𝟎 Ω

Module 6.
Example 3.

An electric heater uses 5.0 A when connected across 110

V. Determine its resistance.
Given: I = 5 A
V = 110 V
Required: R (resistance)

Module 6.
Example 3.
Solution:
From the equation of resistance,
𝑽
𝑹=
𝑰
𝑽 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝑽
𝑹= = = 𝟐𝟐 Ω
𝑰 𝟓𝑨

Module 6.
Example 4.
What is the potential drop across an electric hot plate
that draws 5.0 A when its hot resistance is 24 Ω
Given: I = 5 A
R = 24 Ω
Required: V (voltage)

Module 6.
Example 4.

Solution:
From the equation of resistance,
𝑽
𝑹=
𝑰

𝑽 = 𝑰𝑹 = 𝟓 𝑨 𝟐𝟒 𝛀 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝑽

Module 6.
Electric Power Module 6.
Electric Power Module 6.
Electric Power
• The Electric Power (in watts) delivered by an energy
source as it carries a charge q (in coulombs) through a
potential rise V (in volts) in a time t (in seconds) is

𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝑽𝒒
𝑷=
𝒕
Module 6.
Electric Power

• The Electrical Work (in Joules) required to transfer a

charge q (in coulombs) through a potential difference V
(in volts) is given by

𝑾 = 𝒒𝑽

Module 6.
Electric Power Module 6.

• When q and V are given their proper signs (I,e. voltage

rises positive, and drops negative), the work will have
its proper sign. Thus, to carry a positive charge through
a potential rise, a positive amount of work must be
done on the charge.
𝒒
Because = I, this can be rewritten as
𝒕

𝑷 = 𝑽𝑰 where I is in Ampere.
Electric Power

• The Power Loss in a Resistor is found by replacing V in

VI by IR, or by replacing I in VI by V/R, to obtain

𝑽𝟐
𝑷 = 𝑽𝑰 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 =
𝑹

Module 6.
Electric Power

• The Thermal Energy Generated in a Resistor per

second is equal to the power loss in the resistor.

𝑷 = 𝑽𝑰 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹

Module 6.
Example 5.

Compute the work and the average power required to

transfer 96 kC of charge in one hour (1.0 h) through a
potential rise of 50 V.
Given: q = 96 kC = 96 000 C
t = 1 hour = 3600 sec
V = 50 V
Required: W (work) and P (power)
Module 6.
Module 6.
Example 5. Module 6.

Solution:
From the equation of work,
𝑾 = 𝒒𝑽 = 𝟗𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑪 𝟓𝟎 𝑽 = 𝟒. 𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑱

For the Power,

𝑽𝒒 𝟓𝟎 𝑽 𝟗𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑪
𝑷= = = 𝟏𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟑𝟑 𝑱/𝒔
𝒕 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝒔
Example 6. Module 6.

An electric motor takes 5.0 A from 110 V line. Determine

the power input and the energy, in J and kW.h, supplied
to the motor in 2.0 h.
Given: I = 5 A
t = 2 hours = 7200 sec
V = 110 V
Required: P (power input) and Energy (in J and
kW.hr)
Module 6.
Example 6.

Solution:
From the equation of power,

𝑷 = 𝑽𝑰 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝑽 𝟓 𝑨 = 𝟓𝟓𝟎 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒔

Module 6.
Example 6.

Solution:
For the energy, 𝑾 = 𝒒𝑽

𝒒
But 𝑰= , then 𝒒= 𝑰𝒕
𝒕

Module 6.
Example 6. Module 6.

Solution:
Substitute q into the equation of W
𝑾 = 𝑰 𝒕 𝑽 = 𝟓 𝑨 𝟕𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒔 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝑽 = 𝟑. 𝟗𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑱

𝑾 = 𝑰 𝒕 𝑽 = 𝟓 𝑨 𝟐 𝒉𝒓 𝟏𝟏𝟎 𝑽 = 𝟏. 𝟏 𝒌𝑾 − 𝒉𝒓
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors

Resistors in Series

Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Series

For a series combination of two resistors, the currents

are the same in both resistors because the amount of
charge that passes through R1 must also pass through R2
in the same time interval.

Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Series
𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐 = ⋯ = 𝑰𝒏

𝑽𝑻 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑽𝒏

𝑹𝑻 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑹𝒏

Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Series
• In a series combination, the current through each
resistance is the same as that through all the others.
• The potential drop across the combination is equal to
the sum of the potential drops.
• The equivalent resistance is always greater than the
largest of the individual resistances.
Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors

Resistors in Parallel

Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Parallel
• Now consider two resistors connected in parallel, as
shown in the figure.
• When charges reach point a in the figure, called a
junction, they split into two parts, with some going
through R1 and the rest going through R2.
• A junction is any point in a circuit where a current can
split
Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Parallel
• This split results in less current in each individual
resistor than the current leaving the battery.
• Because electric charge is conserved, the current I that
enters point a must equal the total current leaving that
point:

Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Parallel
𝑽𝑻 = 𝑽𝟏 = 𝑽𝟐 = ⋯ = 𝑽𝒏

𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟐 + ⋯ + 𝑰𝒏

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + ⋯
𝑹𝑻 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝒏

Module 6.
Series and Parallel Connections of Resistors
Resistors in Parallel
• In a parallel combination, the voltage across each
resistance is the same as that through all the others.
• The current through the combination is equal to the
sum of the currents.
• The equivalent resistance is always lesser than the
smallest of the individual resistances.
Module 6.
Example 7.

Given the two resistors R1 = 2 Ω and R2 = 4 Ω connected

to 9.0 V battery as shown in the circuit. Find
a) the total resistance,
b) the current in each resistor, and
c) the voltage across each resistor.

Module 6.
Example 7. Module 6.
Example 7.

Given: R1 = 2 Ω
R2 = 4 Ω
V = 9.0 V

Required: a) RT
b) I1, I2
c) V1, V2
Module 6.
Example 7.

Solution:
a) Since the resistors are connected in series, the total
resistance is
𝑹𝑻 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 = 𝟐𝛀 + 𝟒𝛀 = 𝟔𝛀

Module 6.
Example 7.
Solution:
b) For the current in each resistor,

𝑉 9.0 𝑉
𝐼𝑇 = = = 1.5 𝐴
𝑅𝑇 6Ω

𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝑨
Module 6.
Example 7.

Solution:
c) For the voltage across each resistor,

𝑽𝟏 = 𝑰𝟏 𝑹𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝑨 𝟐𝛀 = 𝟑 𝑽

𝑽𝟐 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝑨 𝟒𝛀 = 𝟔 𝑽
Module 6.
Example 8.

Given the two resistors R1 = 2 Ω and R2 = 4 Ω connected

to 9.0 V battery as shown in the circuit. Find
a) the total resistance,
b) the voltage across each resistor, and
c) the current in each resistor.

Module 6.
Example 8. Module 6.
Example 8.

Given: R1 = 2 Ω
R2 = 4 Ω
V = 9.0 V
Required: a) RT
b) V1, V2
c) I1, I2
Module 6.
Example 8.
Solution:
a) Since the resistors are connected in parallel, the
total resistance is
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟑
= + = + =
𝑹𝑻 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝟐𝛀 𝟒𝛀 𝟒𝛀

𝟒
𝑹𝑻 = 𝛀
𝟑
Module 6.
Example 8.

Solution:
b) For the voltage across each resistor,

𝑽 𝑻 = 𝑽𝟏 = 𝑽 𝟐 = 𝟗 𝑽

Module 6.
Example 8.

Solution:
c) For the current in each resistor,
𝑽𝟏 𝟗.𝟎 𝑽
𝑰𝟏 = = = 𝟒. 𝟓 𝑨
𝑹𝟏 𝟐𝛀

𝑽𝟐 𝟗.𝟎 𝑽
𝑰𝟐 = = = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 𝑨
𝑹𝟐 𝟒𝛀
Module 6.
Example 9.

(a)Find the equivalent resistance between points a

and b in the figure.
(b)A potential difference of 34.0 V is applied between
points a and b. Calculate the current in each
resistor.
(c)Find the voltage across each resistor.

Module 6.
 Module 6.
Example 9.
Example 9.

Given: R1 = 4.00 Ω R2 = 7.00 Ω

R3 = 10.00 Ω R4 = 9.00 Ω
V = 34.0 V
Required: a) RT
b) I1, I2, I3, I4 and V1, V2, V3, V4

Module 6.
Example 9.
Solution:
a) To determine the total resistance, we need first to
find the total resistance of the resistors connected in
parallel, R2 and R3.
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏𝟕
= + = + =
𝑹𝟐𝟑 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑 𝟕𝛀 𝟏𝟎𝛀 𝟕𝟎𝛀
𝟕𝟎
𝑹𝟐𝟑 = 𝛀
𝟏𝟕
Module 6.
Example 9. Module 6.

Solution:
Then, the final connection is series, R1, R23, and R4 .
Example 9.

Solution:
Then, the total resistance is,
70
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅23 + 𝑅4 = 4Ω + Ω + 9Ω
17
𝟔𝟖 𝛀+𝟕𝟎 𝛀+𝟏𝟓𝟑 𝛀 𝟐𝟗𝟏
𝑹𝑻 = = 𝛀
𝟏𝟕 𝟏𝟕
𝑹𝑻 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟏𝟏𝟖 𝛀
Module 6.
Example 9.
Solution:

For the current in each resistor,

𝑉 34.0 𝑉
𝐼𝑇 = = 𝟐𝟗𝟏 = 1.986 𝐴
𝑅𝑇 𝛀
𝟏𝟕
Since the resistors are connected in series, then
𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐𝟑 = 𝑰𝟒 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨
Module 6.
Example 9.

Solution:

But R2 and R3 are connected in parallel, then

𝑰𝟐𝟑 = 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑰𝟑

𝑽𝟐𝟑 = 𝑽𝟐 = 𝑽𝟑
Module 6.
Example 9.

Solution:

We need to determine the voltage across R2 and R3

in order to find for I2 and I3.

Since 𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐𝟑 = 𝑰𝟒 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨,

Module 6.
Example 9. Module 6.

Solution:
Then, 𝑽𝟏 = 𝑰𝟏 𝑹𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨 𝟒𝛀 = 𝟕. 𝟗𝟒𝟒 𝑽

𝑽𝟒 = 𝑰𝟒 𝑹𝟒 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨 𝟗𝛀 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟖𝟕𝟒 𝑽

𝟕𝟎
𝑽𝟐𝟑 = 𝑰𝟐𝟑 𝑹𝟐𝟑 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨 𝛀 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑽
𝟏𝟕
Example 9. Module 6.

Solution:

Given 𝑽𝟐𝟑 = 𝑽𝟐 = 𝑽𝟑 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑽

𝑽𝟐 𝟖.𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑽
Then, 𝑰𝟐 = = = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖 𝑨
𝑹𝟐 𝟕𝛀

𝑽𝟑 𝟖.𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑽
𝑰𝟑 = = = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑨
𝑹𝟑 𝟏𝟎 𝛀
Example 9. Module 6.

Solution:

Therefore, the current on each resistor are:

𝑰𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨
𝑰𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖 𝑨
𝑰𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑨
𝑰𝟒 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝑨
Example 9. Module 6.

Solution:

And the voltage across each resistor are:

𝑽𝟏 = 𝟕. 𝟗𝟒𝟒 𝑽
𝑽𝟐 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑽
𝑽𝟑 = 𝟖. 𝟏𝟕𝟖 𝑽
𝑽𝟒 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟖𝟕𝟒 𝑽
No-cost ways to save electricity Module 6.
No-cost ways to save electricity
• Turn off unnecessary lights
• Use natural light
• Use task lighting
• Take shorter showers
• Turn water off when shaving, washing hands, brushing teeth
• Fix that leaky faucet
• Unplug unused electronics
• Ditch the desktop computer
• Not home? Turn off the air conditioner
• Recycle or donate that old TV Module 6.
No-cost ways to save electricity
• Manage your thermostat
• Be strategic with window coverings
• Reduce heat in the kitchen
• Run full loads
• Wash laundry in cold
• Hang dry your laundry
• Dry full loads of laundry
• Be efficient with refrigeration
• Unplug your second fridge
• kip the heat-dry setting for the dishwasher Module 6.
• Use the microwave, crock pot or toaster oven
Thank You!