Biomedical Admissions Test (Bmat) : Section 2: Physics

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
Section 2: Physics
Topic P1 - Electricity
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Topic P1 - Electricity
Electrostatics
An electrostatic conductor is a material that is able to disperse electrical current (electrons)

easily.
Electrostatic insulators do not disperse electrical charge (electrons) easily.

➔ When insulators are rubbed together, there is a flow of charge (electrons) from one
insulator to the other.
➔ The insulator that loses the electrons is said to have become positively charged. The
insulator that gains the electrons is said to have become negatively charged.
➔ Objects with the same charge repel each other.

➔ Objects with opposite charge (i.e. positive and negative) attract each other.
Objects can also be charged by a process called induction:

● Placing a neutral object next to a charged object causes it to become charged.
● If one end of this newly charged object is momentarily earthed, the object becomes
permanently charged.
Static electricity has uses in industry.

➔ One example is in spray paints; the object to be painted and the paint droplets are given
opposite charges. This means the paint is attracted to the object, and therefore less
paint is wasted.
Static electricity can be dangerous. Sparks can form upon spontaneous dissipation of electrical
charge which can lead to fire.
Earthing of objects that can build up too much charge reduces the risk of a spark.
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Circuit Theory
There are standard symbols used to represent circuit components in diagrams which are
recognised universally:
Current can be supplied as direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).

➔ Direct current is current that is always supplied in the same direction - this is how
batteries or cells supply current.
➔ Alternating current is current that repeatedly changes directions - this is the output of
power stations generators and the mains.
The current changes direction at a certain regular frequency which produces a waveform.
In the UK and Europe, the mains current is supplied at a frequency of 50Hz (50 oscillations or
100 changes in direction per second).
Electrical Current Potential Difference and Resistance
Current
Current is the flow of charged particles (electrons/ions etc.) through an electrical conductor.
➔ Current is represented by the symbol I and is measured in amperes (A).
➔ 1 ampere is the current when 1 coulomb of charge flows through a conductor per
second.
Current = Charge / Time
Current is measured using an ammeter which is always placed in series with components of a
circuit.
Potential Difference (Voltage)

Potential difference, also known as voltage, is the work done (energy required) to move
charge between two points.
➔ Potential difference is represented by the symbol V and is measured in volts (V).
➔ 1 volt is work done moving 1 coulomb of charge between two points
Potential difference (V) = Work Done (J) / Charge(C)
Potential difference is measured using a voltmeter which is always placed in parallel with the
component whose potential difference you are trying to measure.
Resistance
Resistance is the opposition to the flow of current (electrons) through a conductor. All
conductors carry a certain resistance which is directly proportional to the length of the conductor
and inversely proportional to the cross sectional area.
➔ Resistance is represented by the symbol R and is measured in ohms (Ω).
➔ 1 ohm is the resistance of a conductor when a potential difference of 1 volt produces a
current of 1 ampere.
Resistance (Ω) = Potential Difference (V) / Current(A)
Voltage-Current Graphs
Voltage, current and resistance are all linked by the following equation:
Voltage (V) = Current (A) x Resistance (Ω)
This relationship between voltage and current can be expressed graphically through the use of
voltage current graphs. Current is plotted along the y-axis and voltage is plotted along the
x-axis.
Ohmic Conductors
A fixed resistor maintains constant resistance with
different currents flowing through it.
The current flowing through the resistor is directly

proportional to the potential difference across it.
Resistance can be calculated by using the following

logic:
1. The gradient of the line is:

dy/dx = Current / Potential Difference
2. Rearranging Voltage = Current x Resistance gives the equation
Resistance = Potential Difference / Current
3. You can therefore see that Resistance = 1 / gradient of the line
A fixed resistor such as this is an example of an ohmic conductor.
Non-ohmic Conductors
Not all components are ohmic conductors. Non-ohmic
conductors resistance alters with varying current flowing
through them and varying potential differences across them.
This means they do not produce a straight line on a

voltage-current graph. Instead, the graph has a sigmoidal
curve, as seen on the graph on the right.
This graph would be produced by a component such as a

filament lamp.
➔ As more current flows through the filament lamp, it
begins to heat up due to increased electron
collisions.
➔ The heat generated leads to an increased resistance through the filament lamp as
particles vibrate with greater amplitude, making it harder for the free electrons to flow
through the conductor.
➔ This leads to a decrease in current.
Thermistors
Thermistors are components whose resistance is dependent on temperature.

➔ For example, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor’s resistance
decreases as its temperature increases.
Light dependent resistors
Light dependent resistors are components whose resistance is dependent on the light
intensity incident on it.
➔ The resistance of the LDR decreases as light intensity increases.
Ideal diodes
Ideal diodes are components that only allow current to flow in one direction which is shown by
the arrowhead in the circuit symbol for the diode.
In reality, diodes are not perfect and usually require a forward junction potential before
current will begin to flow through them. They also have a breakdown voltage in the reverse
direction which will cause a negative current to flow through them.
Series and Parallel Circuits
A series circuit is one where each of the components are placed along one long continuous
path and current flows through every component.
Therefore, the current measured at any point in the circuit or flowing through any of the
components will be the same.
I1 =
I2 =
I3
The potential difference that is supplied to a series circuit is equal to the sum of the potential
difference across each of the components that the series circuit contains. This is because the
energy carried by each coulomb of charge must be shared as it travels through each
component.
VT =
V1 +
V2 +
V3
The resistance of a series circuit is also equal to the resistance of all the components
contained within the circuit.
RT =
R1 +
R2 +
R3
The voltage across the cell or battery (voltage drop) can be calculated by:
VT =
RT x
IT
Parallel Circuits
A parallel circuit is one in which the components are arranged in several ‘parallel’ branches.
Note that components can be placed in a combination of series and parallel.
The potential difference across each loop in a parallel circuit. This is due to the fact that the
electrons entering each loop have the same amount of energy. Therefore, the total voltage
supplied by the cell is equal to the voltage across each of the loops in the parallel circuit.
VT =
V1 =
V2 =
V3
The total current of the circuit is shared between branches in a ratio of the resistance of the
components in each branch. Therefore, at a branch point the current will be equal to the sum of
the currents going into each branch.
IT =
I1 +
I2 +
I3.
However, current is not evenly split between the branches so I1 is not necessarily equal to I2.
The total resistance in a parallel is calculated by the reciprocal law:
1/RT =
1/R1 +
1/R2 +
1/R3
When dealing with circuits that consist of a combination of series and parallel resistors, use the
reciprocal rule to calculate the total resistance of the parallel portion before adding the series
resistances.
Series Circuits Parallel Circuits
Current is constant throughout the circuit and Potential difference is constant across each
its components loop of the circuit
Potential difference varies across the Current varies in each loop of the parallel
components in the circuit circuit
Potential difference across the components Current flowing through each loop can be
can be calculated using Ohm’s law calculated using Ohm’s law
Electrical Power
Power is the rate of work done or energy transfer:
Power (W) = Energy (J) / Time (S)
The symbol for power is P and it is measured in watts (W).
The transfer of electrical power can be calculated by using the equation:
Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (I)
Substituting V=IR into this equation gives:
Power (W) = Current2 x Resistance or Power (W) = Voltage2 / Resistance
By combining two equations we then see that:

Energy (J) = Voltage (V) x Current (I) x Time (S).
Transformers
Transformers are devices that have the ability to alter voltage and current.
➔ Step up transformers are used to increase voltage and decrease current. This is
useful when transferring electricity from power stations to the national grid in order to
reduce energy losses.
➔ Step down transformers are then used to decrease voltage and increase current for
more safe use in our homes as it reduces the risk of electric shocks.
A transformer consists of a primary coil wrapped around a core. When a current is allowed to
flow through the primary coil, it creates a magnetic current which then induces a current in a
secondary coil. The current and voltage can then be altered by varying the ratio of turns in
the primary and secondary coils:
Whilst transformers are not 100% efficient, for the purpose of the BMAT you can assume they
are unless stated otherwise. Therefore you can use the following equations:
Power(W) = Primary Voltage (V) x Primary Current (A)
Power (W) = Secondary Voltage (V) x Secondary Current (A)
Power Generation
The generator effect is the generation of a current by the movement of an electrical conductor
relative to a magnetic field. This can also be accomplished by keeping a stationary conductor in
a fluctuating magnetic field. This phenomenon is used in generators.
A generator consists of a wire rotating in a magnetic field.

➔ As it rotates, each side of the coil moves through the magnetic field in two different
directions with each 360 degree rotation.
➔ As the wire is simultaneously moving in opposite directions through the magnetic field, it
produces an alternating current

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BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

This work by PMT Education is licensed under https://bit.ly/pmt-cc

An ​electrostatic conductor​ is a material that is able to disperse electrical current (electrons)

Electrostatic insulators​ do not disperse electrical charge (electrons) easily.

➔ Objects with the ​same ​charge ​repel​ each other.

Objects can also be charged by a process called ​induction​:

Static electricity​ has uses in ​industry​.

Current can be supplied as ​direct current​ (DC) or ​alternating current​ (AC).

Potential Difference (Voltage)

Potential difference (V) = Work Done (J) / Charge(C)

Resistance (Ω) = Potential Difference (V) / Current(A)

Voltage (V) = Current (A) x Resistance (Ω)

The current flowing through the resistor is ​directly

Resistance can be calculated by using the following

1. The gradient of the line is:

A fixed resistor such as this is an example of an ​ohmic conductor​.

This means they do not produce a straight line on a

This graph would be produced by a component such as a

Thermistors ​are components whose ​resistance is dependent on temperature​.

Light dependent resistors

Series and Parallel Circuits

The total resistance in a parallel is calculated by the ​reciprocal law​:

Series Circuits Parallel Circuits

Power​ is the rate of work done or energy transfer:

​Power (W) = Energy (J) / Time (S)

The symbol for power is P and it is measured in watts (W).

The ​transfer of electrical power​ can be calculated by using the equation:

Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (I)

Substituting​ V=IR​ into this equation gives:

Power (W) = Current​2​ x Resistance​ ​or​ ​Power (W) = Voltage​2 ​/ Resistance

By combining two equations we then see that:

Power(W) = Primary Voltage (V) x Primary Current (A)

Power (W) = Secondary Voltage (V) x Secondary Current (A)

A generator consists of a ​wire rotating in a magnetic field​.

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An electrostatic conductor is a material that is able to disperse electrical current (electrons)

Electrostatic insulators do not disperse electrical charge (electrons) easily.

➔ Objects with the same charge repel each other.

Objects can also be charged by a process called induction:

Static electricity has uses in industry.

Current can be supplied as direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).

The current flowing through the resistor is directly

A fixed resistor such as this is an example of an ohmic conductor.

Thermistors are components whose resistance is dependent on temperature.

The total resistance in a parallel is calculated by the reciprocal law:

Power is the rate of work done or energy transfer:

Power (W) = Energy (J) / Time (S)

The transfer of electrical power can be calculated by using the equation:

Substituting V=IR into this equation gives:

Power (W) = Current2 x Resistance or Power (W) = Voltage2 / Resistance

A generator consists of a wire rotating in a magnetic field.