CHAPTER

3 Current Electricity

 ne 2 τ   A   A V
So, I=     × V=   × V=
Electric Current  m  l ρ
 l R
∆q ⇒ V = IR
Iav(average current) =
∆t ρ is called resistivity (it is also called specific resistance) and
∆q dq m 1
= Lim
I (instantaneous current) = = ρ = , s is called conductivity
∆t →0 ∆t dt ne 2 τ σ
SI unit : Ampere SI Units: R → ohm (Ω), ρ → ohm–meter (Ω-m), s → Ω–1m–1.
Electric Current in a Conductor Dependence of Resistance on Temperature:
I = nqAvd R = R0 (1 + α (T – T0 )).
where I = current, n = number of charge carriers per unit α = thermal coefficient of resistivity (positive for conductors
volume, A = area of cross section, vd = drift velocity. and negative for semi conductors and insulators)

 eE
v d = − τ Electrical Power
m
where e = charge of electron, m = mass of electron, P = VI

E = electric field, τ = relaxation time. Energy = ∫ Pdt
V2 V2
Current Density(J) and Mobility (µ) P = I2 R = VI = , Heat: H = VIt = I2 Rt = t
R R
 ne 2 

=J τE Kirchhoff’s Laws
m
I. Law (Junction law or Nodal Analysis): This law is
m based on law of conservation of charge. It states that
“The algebraic sum of the currents meeting at a junction

dA
m

dA


mis zero” or ‘total currents entering a junction equals total

J

I 
n J I current leaving the junction’. 
 dA
dA cos 
dA
 known as KCL (Kirchhoff’s
ΣIin = ΣIout. It is also  
J
  Icurrent law). n J I
I = ∫ J . dA
II. Law (Loop analysis): The algebraic dA cos sum
 of all the
vd eτ voltages in closed circuit is zero.
=
µ = Σ IR + Σ EMF = 0 in a closed loop . The closed loop
E m
can be traversed in any direction. While traversing a
(SI unit: m2/Vs)
loop if higher potential point is entered, put a +ve sign in
expression or if lower potential point is entered put a
Electrical Resistance (R) and Ohm’s Law negative sign.
– V2 +
eE
I = neAvd = neA   t
m
– V1 +

– V3 +

V
E=
l + V4 –

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 –V1 – V2 + V3 – V4 = 0. Boxes may contain resistor or II. Cells in Parallel:
battery or any other element (linear or non-linear). ε1 ε2 εn
+ + ...... +
It is also known as KVL (Kirchhoff’s voltage law). Eeq =
r1 r2 rn
1
+ r1 + ...... + r1 [Use emf with polarity]
r1
Combination of Resistances 2 n

I. Resistances in Series: 1 1 1 1
= + + ....... +
R = R1 + R2 + R3 +.................. + Rn req r1 r2 rn

R1 R2 R3 Rn 1 r1

2 r2
+ V1 – + V2 – + V3 – + Vn –
3 r3
A B
I + – I n rn
V
II. Resistances in Parallel: Ammeter
1 1 1 1 1 A shunt (small resistance) is connected in parallel with
= + + + .............. +
Req R1 R2 R3 Rn galvanometer to convert it into ammeter. An ideal ammeter has
R1 zero resistance
I1
I I2 B
R2
I3 R3
I4
Rn Ammeter is represented as follows :
V
I IG
A A B A G B
Wheatstone Network
C I–IG S
R1 R2
If maximum value of current to be measured by ammeter is I then
A B IG . RG = (I – IG) S
R5
I G ⋅ RG I × RG
R4 R3 S= ⇒ S= G (if I >> IG).
I − IG I
D
R where, I = Maximum current that can be measured using the
E
given ammeter.

Current through the R5 is zero (null point or balance point) if Voltmeter

R1 R2 A high resistance is put in series with galvanometer. It is used to
=
R4 R3 measure potential difference across a resistor in a circuit.

Grouping of Cells R
A G B
I. Cells in Series: Whole system is
E1, r1 E2, r2 E3, r3 En, rn known as voltmeter
A V B
A B
IG, RG RS
Eeq, req A G B
 A B
For maximum potential difference
Equivalent EMF Eeq = E1 + E2 +............+ En [write
V = IG . RS + IG RG
EMF’s with polarity]
V
Equivalent internal resistance req = r1 + r2 + r3 + r4 If RG << RS ⇒ RS ≈
IG
+.......... + rn
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Potentiometer
IR1 = xl1
Primary circuit xl1
, r
I=
R1
Similarly, we can find the value of R2 also.
I
Potentiometer wire Potentiometer is ideal voltmeter because it does not draw
Resistance = R any current from circuit at the balance point.
A B
L (c) To find the internal resistance of cell.
ε ε
I= ; VA − VB= ⋅R
r+R R+r
Potential gradient (x) → Potential difference per unit length
of wire
VA − VB ε R
= x = ⋅
L R+r L
Applications of potentiometer
(a) To find emf of unknown cell and compare emf of two
cells.
In case I,
In figure, (1) is joint to (2) then balance length = l1
ε1 = xl1...(i)
In case II,
In figure, (3) is joint to (2) then balance length = l2
ε2 = xl2...(ii)
ε1 l1
=
ε 2 l2

By first arrangement ε′ = xl1...(i)

By second arrangement IR = xl2 ...(ii)
xl2 ε′
, Also I =
I=
R ′
r +R
ε′ xl2 xl1 xl

∴ = ⇒ = 2
r′ + R R r′ + R R
If any one of ε1 or ε2 is known the other can be found.
If x is known then both ε1 and ε2 can be found. l − l 
r′ =  1 2  R
(b) To find current if resistance is known  l2 

Metre Bridge
It is used to measure unknown resistance.
If AB = l cm, then BC = (100 – l) cm.
Resistance of the wire between A and B , R α l
[ Specific resistance ρ and cross-sectional area A are same
for whole of the wire]
or R = σ l ...(i)

VA – VC = xl1 where σ is resistance per cm of wire.

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 Resistance Box (known) If P is the resistance of wire between A and B, then
X (unknown)
R.B P α l  ⇒  P = σ (l)
D
Thick connecting Similarly, if Q is resistance of the wire between B and C, then
a b c d wires (strips)
G
of negligible Q ∝ 100 – l ⇒ Q = σ (100 – l)...(ii)
B C resistance
A
l cm (100-l) cm Dividing (i) by (ii),
K
P l
=
B Q 100 − l
P Q
Applying the condition for balanced Wheatstone bridge, we
A C
G get R Q = P X

Equivalent R X Q 100 − l
∴ X=R    or    X = R
circuit
D P l
Since R and l are known, therefore, the value of X can be
K calculated.

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