Definitions [19]
Define the following:
Super conductors
Substances whose resistance decreases tremendously with decreasing temperature and reaches nearly zero near absolute zero are called superconductors; e.g., lead, tin, etc.
Define an electric current.
An electric current is measured by the amount of electric charge moving per unit time at any point in the circuit.
The magnitude of an electric current is the number of electric charges flowing through a conductor in one second.
Define the following:
Electromotive force
Electromotive force: When no current is drawn from a cell, when the cell is in open circuit, the potential difference between the terminals of the cell is called its electromotive force (or e.m.f.).
A continuous and closed path of an electric current is called an electric circuit.
Define the following:
Conventional current
The movement of the positive charge is called conventional current.
Define the unit of current.
The unit of electric current is ampere (A). When 1 C of charge flows through a conductor in 1 s, it called 1 ampere (A) current.
I = `Q/t`
Define the term resistivity.
The resistivity of a material is the resistance of a wire of that material of unit length and unit area of cross-section.
Current is defined as the rate of flow of charge.
Define the following:
Semiconductors
Semiconductors: Substances whose resistance decreases with the increase in temperature are named as semiconductors. E.g. manganin, constantan etc.
One ohm is the resistance of a component when the potential difference of one volt applied across the component drives a current of one ampere through it.
Define the following:
Coulomb
One coulomb is the amount of electric charge transferred by a current of one ampere in one second.
Define temperature coefficient of resistance.
The temperature coefficient is defined as the ratio of the increase in resistivity per degree rise in temperature to its resistivity at T0.
Define Current density.
Current density is a vector quantity, often known as an area vector or cross-sectional area vector, whose value is equal to the electric current flowing per unit area.
J = `"I"/"A"`
S.I unit is A/m2.
The reciprocal of resistance is called conductllnce. It is denoted by the letter G.
When two dry bodies are rubbed together, they get charged due to the movement of free electrons from one body to the other body, so they possess electrical energy.
In an electrical circuit, electric power is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is supplied by the source.
Define Electric power.
Electric power (P) is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred or consumed in an electrical circuit.
The conductors which do not obey Ohm's law are called non ohmic resistors (or non-linear resistances).
The conductors which obey Ohm's law are called ohmic resistors (or linear resistances).
Formulae [1]
Electric Power P = \[\frac {W}{t}\] = VI = \[\frac {V^2}{R}\] = I2R
Theorems and Laws [3]
According to Ohm’s law, the current flowing in a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across its ends, provided the physical conditions and temperature of the conductor remain constant.
No, it is not always true. E.g., Diode valve, junction diode, etc., do not obey Ohm’s law.
Statement: Ohm’s Law
"The electric current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across its ends, provided the temperature and other physical conditions of the conductor remain constant."
Mathematically,
I ∝ V or V = I R
where:
- V = Potential difference (in volts)
- I = Current (in amperes)
- R = Resistance of the conductor (in ohms, Ω)
Explanation:
When two conductors at different electric potentials are joined by a metallic wire, electrons flow from the conductor at a lower potential (excess electrons) to the one at a higher potential (deficit of electrons). This movement of electrons results in an electric current.
- The current continues to flow until both conductors reach the same potential.
- For continuous current flow, a constant potential difference must be maintained across the ends of the conductor (e.g., using a battery or power supply).
Derivation / Mathematical Proof:
From Ohm’s Law:
I ∝ V ⇒ \[\frac {V}{I}\] = constant
This constant is defined as the resistance (R) of the conductor. Therefore,
V = I R ---(1)
This is the mathematical form of Ohm’s Law.
Special Case:
If the current I = 1 A, then:
V = R
This implies that the resistance of a conductor is numerically equal to the potential difference across it when 1 ampere of current flows through it.
Conclusion:
Ohm's Law provides a fundamental relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electric circuit. It is widely used in the design and analysis of electrical and electronic systems.
Obtain the balancing condition for the Wheatstone bridge arrangements as shown in Figure 4 below:

Let `I_3` and `I_4` be the currents in resistors Q and S respectively . Let `I_g` be the current through galvanometer. For balanced condition,
`I_g = 0`
Applying junction law at ‘b’ we get
`I_1 = I_3 + I_g`
`because I_g = 0 , I_1 = I_3` ....(i)
Applying junction law at ‘d’, we get
`I_2 + I_g = I_4`
`because I_g = 0 , I_2 = I_4` ....(ii)
Applying loop law in the loop abda, we get
`-I_1·P - I_g·Q + -I_2·R = 0`
⇒ `-I_1P + I_2R = 0` (`because I_g = 0`)
⇒ `I_1P = I_2R`
⇒ `P/R = I_2/I_1` ....(iii)
Applying loop law in the loop bcdb, we get
`-I_3·Q + I_4·S + I_g·6 = 0`
⇒ `-I_3·Q + I_4·S + 0 = 0 (because I_g =0)`
⇒ `-I_3Q = I_4S`
⇒ `Q/S = I_4/I_3`
⇒ `Q/S = I_2/I_1` ...(iv) [using eq.(i) and (ii)]
From eq. (iii) and (iv), `P/ R = Q/s`
⇒ `P/Q = R/S`
This is the balanced condition.
Key Points
- Electricity is a convenient and controllable form of energy widely used in homes, industries, schools, and hospitals.
- Electric current is produced when electric charges flow through a conductor, and it flows only through a closed, continuous electric circuit.
- A switch completes or breaks the circuit; when the circuit is broken, current stops flowing, and devices like bulbs do not glow.
- Electric current is the rate of flow of charge, given by the relation I = Q / t, where Q is charge and t is time.
- In metallic wires, electrons are the charge carriers, but by convention, current flows from the positive to the negative terminal, in the opposite direction to electron flow.
- Electrical power represents the rate at which electrical energy is supplied by the source in an electric circuit.
- The S.I. unit of electrical power is a watt (W), and larger units such as kilowatt, megawatt, and gigawatt are used for measuring higher power.
Concepts [17]
- Electric Current
- Concept of Electric Currents in Conductors
- Ohm's Law
- Drift of Electrons and the Origin of Resistivity
- Limitations of Ohm’s Law
- Resistivity of Various Materials
- Temperature Dependence of Resistance
- Forms of Energy > Electrical Energy
- Electrical Power
- Cells, Emf, Internal Resistance
- Cells in Series
- Cells in Parallel
- Kirchhoff’s Laws
- Wheatstone Bridge
- Ohmic and Non-ohmic Resistors
- Electromotive Force (emf)
- Metre Bridge: Slide-Wire Bridge
