Grade 9: Electricity Summary

1- Elements of electric circuits

1-1- Connection rules:
a- Series connection:
A M N B
(L ) (L ) (L )
1 2 3

Law of unity of current in series: I1 = I2 = I3 = I.

Law on addition of voltages in series: Utotal =U1 + U2 + U3
Or UAB = UAM + UMN + UNB.

b- Parallel connection:
(L )
1
Law of addition of currents in parallel
(the junction rule): Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3. (L )
2
• •
Law on unity of voltage in parallel: B A
(L )
UAB = U1 = U2 = U3. 3

1-2- Types of circuits:

a- Closed circuit: (closed switch) (G) (K)
• •
- IK = IL = IG ≠0.
- Uk = 0; UL = UG = E.

(L)

(G) (K)
• •
b- Open circuit: (open switch)
- IK = IL = IG =0.
- UL = 0; UK = UG = E. (L)

c- Short circuit: (when a device is coupled with a connecting wire)

(G)

- Voltage of the device is zero UL =0.

- Current flowing in the device is also zero IL = 0. (L )
1
(L
(All current flows in the wire) 2

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Grade 9: Electricity Summary

1-3- Measuring instruments:

a- The ammeter:
Load (A)
- Measures electric current. I COM

- Connected in series with the studied device such that the COM is to the
negative pole of the dry cell.

b- The voltmeter:
Load
- Measures voltage.
- Connected in parallel across the studied device (V)
with the COM along the side of the negative pole COM
of the dry cell.

2- The oscilloscope & AC voltage

2-1- The oscilloscope:
The oscilloscope is a device used to display the variation of the voltage as a function
of time. Its screen is composed of two axes:
- X-axis: Used to keep track of time. The scale used on it has a unit “s/div” or
“ms/div” and it is called “horizontal sensitivity” (Sh) or “time base” (Vb).
- Y-axis: Used to measure voltage. The scale used on it has a unit “V/div” and it is
called “vertical sensitivity”.
The oscilloscope has two channels. Each one has
A B
two poles: an input “Y” (also called phase or channel) • Load
and a negative pole “COM” (also known as ground, or
earth). When connected as shown in the adjacent com
Y
figure, the oscilloscope reads the voltage “UAB” (that
is from input to com).

 In DC mode, the voltage remains constant with time evolution. So, the displayed
oscillogram is a horizontal straight line.
 If the input is connected to the negative pole of the generator, the oscilloscope
displays a negative voltage (the oscilloscope still reads UAB).
 When there is no voltage across the oscilloscope, it displays a horizontal line
confounded with the x-axis.
 Voltage is calculated by:
 Time, usually period, is calculated by:
 If time sweep is turned off, no more displacement on the x-axis; but only on y-axis.

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2-2- AC voltage:
 Alternating current is a special signal that keeps on changing intensity and
direction of flow.
 AC-voltage has no polarity and keeps on changing, periodically.
 Depending on the shape of the signal, some AC voltages are: triangular, square, or
alternating sinusoidal…
 When an appliance functions under an AC voltage, it receives a constant value
which produces (mathematically) the same energy. This DC-value is called
“effective voltage” (Ue).
 In AC mode, a voltmeter measures the effective voltage. (Ammeter measures
effective current).
 The effective voltage can be calculated only for alternating sinusoidal voltage. The
equation is:
√

 Equations used in studying an alternating

X
sinusoidal oscillogram are:
- The maximum voltage: y
X
- The effective voltage:
√
- The period (time needed by one signal
to be complete): X

- Frequency:

2-3- House Electricity:

 Our houses are fed, from the EDL, by an alternating sinusoidal voltage whose
effective value is 220V and of frequency 50Hz.
 All domestic appliances are connected in parallel for independent functioning.
 Any house is equipped with an electric meter that measures the amount of electric
energy consumed by the habitation; and a circuit breaker that protects the house
against excess current.

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3- Resistors
 Resistor: An electric appliance that converts electric energy into thermal energy
(heat). It is used to heat, to protect, or to regulate electricity.
 Resistance: The rate of voltage, across the terminals of a device, to the electric
current flowing though it: . Its SI unit is the Ohm (Ω).

2-4- Measuring resistance:

Use the ohmmeter (an application of the multimeter (R)
also) which should be connected in parallel across
the object with no voltage source.
(Ω)
2-5- Ohm’s law for a resistor:
 In a resistor, the voltage across its terminals and U (V)
the current flowing through it are proportional. Its
resistance is, thus, constant: U(V) = R(Ω) x I(A). 5
 The characteristic voltage-current of a resistor is
a straight line passing through the origin.
Graphically, the resistance is the slope of this 2
1
line: I
0 0.2 0.5 (A)
2-6- Grouping resistors:
A group of resistors can always be replaced by one resistor whose resistance is
equivalent to all of them. The equivalent resistor can be treated as a simple resistor.
 In series:
 In parallel:

 In case of two resistors in parallel, a shortcut can be used:

4- Electric power and Safety:

4-1- Electric power:
 Mathematically, electric power is the product of voltage and current intensity:
P(Watts) = U(V) x I(A).
 In a resistor where U = R x I, the electric power can also be written as:
or

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4-2- Electric energy:

 Electric energy is given by .
 An alternative set of units can also be used:
Where 1kW = 1000 W
1h = 3,600s
 In a resistor where , electric energy can be calculated by:
This energy is liberated as thermal energy and it is known as Joule’s effect.

4-3- Electric safety:

The dangers of electricity are: electrocution and fire which result of excess electric
current.
1- To protect an appliance against fire and excess current, a fuse or a circuit
breaker can be used.
 A fuse (figure 4-3-a) is connected on the live wire
and it melts down if the current flowing through it
exceeds its rated value.

Figure 4-3-a

 A circuit breaker (figure 4-3-b) is also connected to

the live wire and it is released if current flowing
through it exceeds its rated value.

Figure 4-3-b

2- To protect users (people) against electrocution and leaking current a

differential circuit breaker or grounding are used.
 A differential circuit breaker (figure 4-3-c) is connected on
both, live and neutral wire and it measures the difference in
currents flowing in these two lines. Once the difference
exceeds a certain value the breaker is released.
Figure 4-3-c

 Grounding (fig. 4-3-d) is a process in which “ground” is

used to dispose any leak of current if it happens and thus
prevent it from flowing through users.

Figure 4-3-d

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Sample Problems
Exercise 1: Grouping Resistors

Consider the following circuit where the resistances of

the given resistors are: R1 = 30 Ω, R2 = 60 Ω, R3 = 10 Ω,
and R4 = 20 Ω. The voltage across the terminals of the dry
cell is UPN = 24V.

1- Calculate the resistance RAD of the resistor across A and D.

2- Calculate the resistance RAB of the resistor equivalent to
the connection between points “A” and “B”.
3- Verify that UAB = 24V.
4- Determine the current delivered by the generator.
5- Calculate the voltage across AD: UAD.
6- Giving all the necessary explanations, determine the currents I1 and I2 flowing
in (R1) and (R2) respectively.

Exercise 2: Resistors and Resistance

During a lab session, grade 9 students were distributed over (1) (6)
two groups: A and B. The aim of the session is to verify
whether a load (D) is a resistor or not and calculate its
resistance. A
A- Resistance: (2) Load (5)
Group A connected the circuit represented in the adjacent figure.
(V)
1- Label each of its 6 elements. ( Don’t redraw) (4)
2- This group did some measurements and recorded the results. (3)
I (A) 0 0.4 0.7 0.9 1.2
U (V) 0 4 7 9 12

Trace the graph showing the variation of voltage (U) as a function of current intensity (I).
3- The group concluded directly that the studied device is a resistor.
a- Justify their conclusion giving the necessary explanation.
b- Deduce that the resistance of (D) is R = 10Ω.
B- Verification:
To assure their classmates results, group B used a device that measures resistance directly.
1- Name this device.
2- Draw a figure showing how is it connected with (D) to measure its resistance.

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Exercise 3: Measurement Instruments

The given diagram represents an electric circuit of an electric

motor, lamp, dry cell that provides a constant voltage 12V, a
switch and connecting wires.

First case: the switch K is open

1- How are the lamp and the motor connected (in series or in parallel)?
2- Determine the voltage across the terminals of the switch, lamp and the motor.
3- What is the value of the electric current in the circuit?
Second case: the switch K is closed, UBC = 7V and the current sent by the cell is 100mA.
1- Find UPD, UDA and UAB.
2- Find the current carried by the lamp and the motor.
3- Draw the circuit again and show the connection of a voltmeter that measures UCB
showing its COM terminal. What would be the reading of the voltmeter? Justify.
4- On the same diagram, show the connection of an ammeter to measure the current in the
circuit when it indicates positive reading.
5- An oscilloscope is connected to measure the voltage UBA where its vertical amplitude
gain is adjusted to 2 V/div.
What is the value of the voltage measured by the oscilloscope?

6- Find the number of division displaced by the luminous line.

7- Show the connection of the oscilloscope on the same diagram.
8- A connecting wire is added between points A and B.
a- What is the value of each of the voltages of the lamp and the motor?
b- Is there any risk on the motor? Explain.

Exercise 4: Using the Oscilloscope

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The figure above represents an oscilloscope branched across a generator (the connections of the
generator are not represented).

1- Determine, from the figure :

a- The values of the vertical and the horizontal sensitivities of the oscilloscope.
b- The mode of functioning of the oscilloscope.
c- The nature of the voltage delivered by the generator.
2- The oscilloscope displays the voltage UAB. Show the connection of the oscilloscope
terminals on a figure on your answer sheet.
3- What are the maximum value and the period of the voltage of the generator?
4- Can the effective value be calculated? Why?
5- What do you observe if a vertical sensitivity of is chosen? Justify.

Exercise 5: AC Voltage

The aim of this exercise is to study the functioning of a lamp (G)

when connected to an AC generator.
In the adjacent figure (figure a), you are given the following: (L)

- A generator (G). Y
- A lamp with the inscriptions (6V, 0.5A).
- An oscilloscope with a vertical sensitivity Sv = 3V/div and time base Sh = 5 ms/div.
The screen of the oscilloscope displays the oscillogram shown in figure b.
1- Precise the type of the alternating voltage used.
2- Calculate its period and deduce its frequency.
3- Calculate its maximum voltage.
4- The oscilloscope is replaced by a voltmeter which
reads 5.2 V. What does this voltage represent?
5- Does this lamp function normally? Why?
6- We turn off the sweeping. What will the shape of the
displayed voltage UCD be?

7- Upon changing one of the two sensitivities, the

oscillograms of figure c is obtained. Which sensitivity
is changed and what is its new value.

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Grade 9: Electricity Summary

Exercise 6: House Electricity

The installation of a house is equipped with a circuit breaker of 30A. The following appliances
are connected across this installation:

- A heater that needs an electric current of intensity 12.5A to function normally.

- An iron of rated power 1320Watts.
- A washing machine that uses 7A.
- 4 eco-lamps of 55W each.
- A toaster of nominal current 3A.
1- These appliances are connected in parallel, why?
2- Give the characteristics of the electricity at our houses.
3- Consider the iron.
a- Calculate the electric current flowing through the iron during normal functioning.
b- Find a relation between voltage, resistance and power; and then deduce the value of
the resistance of the iron.
c- Is the use of a 5A-fuse, suitable? How could you tell?
4- Calculate the main current of this installation when all appliances function simultaneously.
5- Is the circuit breaker released? Justify.
6- The circuit breaker does not protect people living in the house. Why? What should be
done (or added to the installation) to protect them?

Exercise 7: Cost of a Shower

Elsy’s house is equipped with a water heater is rated by 220V, 1760W. To heat up water
from 15oC to 60oC, the heater uses thermal energy of 8.64x106J.

1- The water heater is made of resistors mainly; how can you tell?
Explain by stating the law or effect you need.
2- Write the given energy in Ws, and in kWh.
3- How much time does Elsy need to heat up water to take a shower.
4- Knowing that 1kWh costs around 120L.L. How much would this shower cost?

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