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PAAVAI VIDHYASHRAM SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

CH-3 CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Electric Current (I)
Types of Electric Current

According to its magnitude and direction electric current is of two types

(i) Direct Current (DC) Its magnitude and direction do not change with time. A ceil, battery
or DC dynamo are the sources of direct current.

(ii) Alternating Current (AC) An electric current whose magnitude changes continuously and
changes its direction periodically is called alternating current. AC dynamo is source of
alternating current.

Current Density

The electric current flowing per unit area of cross-section of conductor is called current
density.

Current density (J) = I / A

Its S1 unit is ampere metre-2 and dimensional formula is [AT-2].

It is a vector quantity and its direction is in the direction of motion positive charge or in the
direction of flow of current.

Thermal Velocity of Free Electrons

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Free electrons in a metal move randomly with a very high speed of the order of 105 ms-1. This
speed is called thermal velocity of free electron.

Average thermal velocity of free electrons in any direction remains zero.

Drift Velocity of Free Electrons

When a potential difference is applied across the ends of a conductor, the free electrons in it
move with an average velocity opposite to direction of electric field. which is called drift
velocity of free electrons.

Drift velocity vd = eEτ / m = eVτ / ml

where, τ = relaxation time, e = charge on electron,

E = electric field intensity, 1 = length of the conductor,

V = potential difference across the ends of the conductor

m = mass of electron.

Relation between electric current and drift velocity is given by

vd = I / An e

Mobility

The drift velocity of electron per unit electric field applied is mobility of electron.

Mobility of electron (μ) = vd / E

Its SI unit is m2s-1V-1 and its dimensional formula is [M-1T2A].

Ohm’s Law

If physical conditions of a conductor such as temperature remains unchanged, then the electric
current (I) flowing through the conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference (V)
applied across its ends.

I𝖺V

or V = IR

where R is the electrical resistance of the conductor and R = Ane2 τ / ml.

Electrical Resistance

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The obstruction offered by any conductor in the path of flow of current is called its electrical
resistance.

Electrical resistance, R = V / I

Its SI unit is ohm (Ω) and its dimensional formula is [ML2T-3A-2].

Electrical resistance of a conductor R = ρl / A

where, l = length of the conductor, A = cross-section area and

ρ = resistivity of the material of the conductor.

Resistivity

Resistivity of a material of a conductor is given by

ρ = m / n2 τ

where, n = number of free electrons per unit volume.

Resistivity of a material depend on temperature and nature of the material.

It is independent of dimensions of the conductor, i.e., length, area of cross-section etc.

Resistivity of metals increases with increase in temperature as

ρt = ρo (1 + αt)

where ρo and ρt are resistivity of metals at O°C and t°C and α temperature coefficient of
resistivity of the material.

For metals α is positive, for some alloys like nichrome, manganin and constantan, α is positive
but very low.

For semiconductors and insulators. α is negative.

Resistivity is low for metals, more for semiconductors and very high alloys like nichrome,
constantan etc.

(In magnetic field the resistivity of metals increases. But resistivity of ferromagnetic materials
such as iron, nickel, cobalt etc decreases in magnetic field.)

Electrical Conductivity

The reciprocal of resistivity is called electrical conductivity.

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Electrical conductivity (σ) = 1 / ρ = 1 / RA = ne2 τ / m

Its SI units is ohm-1 m-1 or mho m-1 or siemen m-1.

Relation between current density (J) and electrical conductivity (σ) is given by

J=σE

where, E = electric field intensity.

Ohmic Conductors

Those conductors which obey Ohm’s law, are called ohmic conductors e.g., all metallic
conductors are ohmic conductor.

For ohmic conductors V – I graph is a straight line.

Non-ohmic Conductors

Those conductors which do not obey Ohm’s law, are called non-ohmic conductors. e.g., diode
valve, triode valve, transistor , vacuum tubes etc.

For non-ohmic conductors V – I graph is not a straight line.

Superconductors

When few metals are cooled, then below a certain critical temperature their electrical resistance
suddenly becomes zero. In this state, these substances are called superconductors and this
phenomena is calledsuperconductivity.

Mercury become superconductor at 4.2 K, lead at 7.25 K and niobium at 9.2 K

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Electric Cell

An electric cell is a device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Electric cells are of two types

(i) Primary Cells Primary ceUs cannot be charged again. Voltic, Daniel and Leclanche cells
are primary cells.

(ii) Secondary Cells Secondary cells can be charged again and again. Acid and alkali
accumulators are secondary cells.

Electro – motive – Force (emf) of a Cell

The energy given by a cell in flowing unit positive charge throughout the circuit completely
one time, is equal to the emf of a cell.

Emf of a cell (E) = W / q.

Its SI unit is volt.

Terminal Potential Difference of a Cell

The energy given by a cell in flowing unit positive charge through till outer circuit one time
from one terminal of the cell to the other terminal of the cell.

Terminal potential difference (V) = W / q.

Its SI unit is volt.

Internal Resistance of a Cell

The obstruction offered by the electrolyte of a cell in the path of electric current is called
internal resistance (r) of the cell. Internal resistance of a cell

(i) Increases with increase in concentration of the electrolyte.

(ii) Increases with increase in distance between the electrodes.

(iii) Decreases with increase in area of electrodes dipped in electrolyte.

Relation between E. V and r

E = V + Ir

r = (E / V – 1) R

If cell is in charging state, then

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E = V – Ir

Grouping of Cells

(i) In Series If n cells, each of emf E and internal resistance r are connected in series to a
resistance R. then equivalent emf

Eeq = E1 + E2 + …. + En = nE

Equivalent internal resistance req = r1 + r2 + …. + rn = nr

Current In the circuit I = Eeq / (R + req) = nE / (R + nr)

(ii) In Parallel If n cells. each of emf E and internal resistance r are connected to in parallel.
then equivalent emf. Eeq = E
Equivalent internal resistance

1 / req = 1 / r1 + 1 / r1 + … + 1 / rn = n / r or req = r / n

Current In the circuit I = E / (R + r / n)

(iii) Mixed Grouping of Cells If n cells, each of emf E and internal resistance r are connected
in series and such m rows are connected in parallel, then

Equivalent emf, Eeq

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Equivalent Internal resistance req

Current in the circuit, I = nE / (R + nr / m)

or I = mnE / mR + nr

Note Current in this circuit will be maximum when external resistance is equal to the
equivalent internal resistance, i.e.,

R = nr / m ⇒ mR = nr

Kirchhoff’s Laws

There are two Kirchhoff’s laws for solving complicated electrical circuits

(i) Junction Rule The algebraic sum of all currents meeting at a junction in a closed circuit is
zero, i.e., Σ I = O.
This law follows law of conservation of charge.

(ii) Loop Rule The algebraic sum of all the potential differences in any closed circuit is zero,
i.e.,

ΣV = 0 ⇒ ΣE = ΣIR

This law follows law of conservation of energy.

Physics Notes for Class 12 chapter 3 CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Balanced Wheatstone Bridge

Wheatstone bridge is also known as a metre bridge or slide wire bridge.

This is an arrangement of four resistance in which one resistance is unknown and rest known.
The Wheatstone bridge as shown in figure. The bridge is said to be balanced when deflection in
galvanometer is zero, i.e., ig = O.

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Principle of Wheatstone Bridge

P/Q=R/S

The value of unknown resistance S can found. as we know the value of P,Q and R. It may be
remembered that the bridge is most sensitive, when all the four resistances are of the same
order.

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