Electrical Potential:
An object has gravitational potential energy because of its location in a
gravitation field. Similarly, a charged object has a potential energy by virtue of its location in an electric field.
The unit of measurement of electric potential is Volt (V), so electric potential is often called voltage.
A potential of 1
volt (V) is equal to 1 joule (J) of energy per coulomb (C) of charge.
1 Volt = [latex]\frac{1 joule}{Coulomb}[/latex]
Electric Current:
Electric current is the rate of flow of an electrical charge. It flows from
positive to negative. Batteries supply
direct current (DC) and the mains supply
alternating current (AC).
- The radio and TV require DC and this is obtained from AC mains by means of a rectifier which converts AC into DC.
- Current is a flow of charge, pressured into motion by voltage and hampered by resistance.
Electric Conductors:
These are materials that allow charged particles to pass through them easily. Copper, silver and other metals are good conductors for the same reasons that they are good heat conductors, atoms of metals have one or more outer electrons that are loosely bound to their nuclei.
Electric Insulators:
The electrons in other materials such as
glass and rubber are tightly bound and belong to particular atoms, and it is easy to make them flow.
These materials are poor electrical conductors for the same reasons they are generally poor heat conductors such materials are good insulators.
Semi conductors: Some materials are neither good conductors nor good insulators, they are semiconductors.
Heating effect of electricity:
When electricity is passed through thin metallic wires of high resistance, they become high and glow. metals like platinum or tungsten offer resistance to the passage of electric current.
The filament of electric bulbs and heater elements is made of such metals which have high resistance.
Fuse Wire:
Fuse wire is made of material having low melting point. During short circuiting, the current flowing in the electricity circuit increases instantaneously, if fuse wire is inserted in an electric circuit, it will not allow excess electricity to flow through it.
When current exceeds its limit, the fuse wire gets heated, melts and breaks the circuit.
Magnetic Effect of Electricity:
It is a phenomenon by which magnetic field is produced by an electric current. A linear current carrying conductor produces a circular magnetic field and a circular current produces a straight magnetic field at the center of the circular coil.
Types of Electricity:
Static Current:
It is the electricity produced by friction or rubbing between two dissimilar objects. Depending on the nature of the objects, one acquires
positive charge and other the negative charge because of transfer of electrons. For example when a glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth, some electrons from the rod are transferred to the silk cloth. Thus by losing electrons, the glass rod becomes positively charged and by gaining the number of electrons the silk acquires an equal negative charge. Similarly by rubbing an ebonite comb on hair, a magnetic property is produced which can attract small pieces of paper.
Current Electricity:
It is the electricity which brings light and power to our homes. It is of two types.
Alternating current which regularly reverses its direction around the circuit and direct current travels without reversing its direction.
Household Wiring System:
In
Household wiring systems, various electrical devices are connected in a parallel across the power line, which consists of a pair of conductors, one hot and other neutral. An additional ground wire is included for safety.
The maximum permissible current in a circuit is determined by the size of the wires and the
maximum temperature they can tolerate. Protection against excessive current and the resulting fire hazard is provided by fuses or circuit breaker.