Chapter 27. Current and Resistance

Chapter 27.
Current and
Resistance
Objectives: After completing this
module, you should be able to:
• Define electric current and electromotive
force.
• Write and apply Ohm’s law to circuits
containing resistance and emf.
• Define resistivity of a material and apply
formulas for its calculation.
• Define and apply the concept of
temperature coefficient of resistance.
Electric Current
Electric current I is the rate of
the flow of charge Q through + +Q
a cross-section A in a unit of A
time t. t
Q 1C Wire
I 1A
t 1s -
One
One ampere
ampere AA isis charge
charge flowing
flowing at
at
the
the rate
rate of
of one
one coulomb
coulomb per
per second.
second.
Example 1. The electric current in a
wire is 6 A. How many electrons flow
past a given point in a time of 3 s?
q
I  ; q  It
t I=6A
q = (6 A)(3 s) = 18 C
Recall that: 1 e- = 1.6 x 10-19 C, then convert:
In 3 s: 1.12 x 1019 electrons

Conventional Current
Imagine a charged capacitor with Q = CV that is
allowed to discharge.
+ -
+ -
+ -
Electron flow: The direction
Electron of e- flowing from – to +.
e flow
-
+ Conventional current:
The motion of +q from
Conventional flow
+ to – has same effect.
Electric fields and potential are defined in terms

of +q, so we will assume conventional current
(even if electron flow may be the actual flow).
Electromotive Force
A source of electromotive force (emf) is a
device that uses chemical, mechanical or
other energy to provide the potential
difference necessary for electric current.
Power lines Battery Wind generator

Water Analogy to EMF
High Constriction Low High Resistor Low
pressure pressure potential potential
+ R
-
Water Valve I Switch
Flow E
Water Pump Source of

EMF
The source of emf (pump) provides the voltage

(pressure) to force electrons (water) through
electric resistance (narrow constriction).
Electrical Circuit Symbols
Electrical circuits often contain one or more
resistors grouped together and attached to
an energy source, such as a battery.
The following symbols are often used:
Ground Battery Resistor
+ -
+ - + -
- + - + -
Electric Resistance
Suppose we apply a constant potential difference
of 4 V to the ends of geometrically similar rods
of, say: steel, copper, and glass.
Steel Copper Glass
Is Ic Ig
4V 4V 4V
The current in glass is much less than for
steel or iron, suggesting a property of
materials called electrical resistance R.
Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s law states that the current I through a
given conductor is directly proportional to the
potential difference V between its end points.
Ohm ' s law : I  V

Ohm’s law allows us to define resistance R
and to write the following forms of the law:
V V
I ; V  IR; R
R I
Example 2. When a 3-V battery is
connected to a light, a current of 6 mA
is observed. What is the resistance of
the light filament?
V 3.0 V
R 
I 0.006 A
RR == 500
500 WW + -
R
The SI unit for electrical I 6 mA
resistance is the ohm, W: V=3V
1V
1 Source of
1A EMF
Laboratory Circuit Symbols
A
+
V Emf Rheostat
-
Voltmeter Source of Ammeter Rheostat

EMF
Factors Affecting Resistance
1. The length L of the material. Longer
materials have greater resistance.
L 2L
1W 2W
2. The cross-sectional area A of the material.
Larger areas offer LESS resistance.
A 2A
2W
1W
Factors Affecting R (Cont.)
3. The temperature T of the material. The
higher temperatures usually result in
higher resistances.
R > Ro
Ro
4. The kind of material. Iron has more
electrical resistance than a geometrically
similar copper conductor.
R i > Rc
Copper Iron
Resistivity of a Material
The resistivity r is a property of a material
that determines its electrical resistance R.
Recalling that R is directly proportional

to length L and inversely proportional
to area A, we may write:
L RA
R or 
A L
The unit of resistivity is the ohm-meter (W·m)

Example 3. What length L of copper wire is
required to produce a 4 mW resistor? Assume
the diameter of the wire is 1 mm and that the
resistivity r of copper is 1.72 x 10-8 W.m .
 D 2  (0.001 m) 2
A  A = 7.85 x 10-7 m2
4 4
L RA (0.004 )(7.85 x 10 m )
-7 2
R L 
A  1.72 x 10 m
-8
Required length is: L = 0.183 m

Temperature Coefficient
For most materials, the resistance R changes
in proportion to the initial resistance Ro and
to the change in temperature Dt.
Change in R   R0 t
resistance:
The temperature coefficient of resistance, a is
the change in resistance per unit resistance
per unit degree change of temperature.
R 1
 ; Units: 0
R0 t C
Example 4. The resistance of a copper wire is
4.00 mW at 200C. What will be its resistance if
heated to 800C? Assume that a = 0.004 /Co.
Ro = 4.00 mW ; D t = 80oC – 20oC = 60 Co
R   R0 t ; R  (0.004 / C )(4 m)(60 C )

0 0
DR
DR == 0.96
0.96 mW
mW R = Ro + DR
R = 4.00 mW + 0.96 mW
RR == 4.96
4.96 mW
mW
Electric Power
Electric power P is the rate at which electric
energy is expended, or work per unit of time.
To charge C: Work = qV
Work qV q V q
P  and I 
t t t
Substitute q = It , then: I
V
VIt
P P = VI
t
Calculating Power
Using Ohm’s law, we can find electric power
from any two of the following parameters:
current I, voltage V, and resistance R.
Ohm’s law: V = IR
2
V
P  VI ; P  I R; P 
2
R
Example 5. A power tool is rated at 9 A
when used with a circuit that provides 120-V.
What power is used in operating this tool?
P = VI = (120 V)(9 A) PP == 1080

1080 W
W
Example 6. A 500-W heater draws a current

of 10 A. What is the resistance?
P 500 W
P  I R; R  2 
2
RR == 5.00
5.00 WW
I (10 A) 2
Summary of Formulas
Electric
Electric Q 1C
current:
I 1A
current: t 1s
Ohm’s
Ohm’s Law
Law
V V
I ; V  IR; R
R I
1 volt
Resistance: 1 ohm 
1 ampere
Summary (Cont.)
Resistivity
Resistivity of
of L RA
R or 
materials:
materials: A L
Temperature
Temperature coefficient
coefficient of
of resistance:
resistance:
R 1
R   R0 t  ; Units: 0
R0 t C
2
Electric
Electric V
P  VI ; P  I R; P 
2
Power P:
Power P: R

Chapter 27. Current and Resistance

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Chapter 27. Current and Resistance

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Chapter 27.

In 3 s: 1.12 x 1019 electrons

Electric fields and potential are defined in terms

Power lines Battery Wind generator

Water Pump Source of

The source of emf (pump) provides the voltage

Ohm ' s law : I  V

Voltmeter Source of Ammeter Rheostat

Recalling that R is directly proportional

The unit of resistivity is the ohm-meter (W·m)

Required length is: L = 0.183 m

Ro = 4.00 mW ; D t = 80oC – 20oC = 60 Co

R   R0 t ; R  (0.004 / C )(4 m)(60 C )

P = VI = (120 V)(9 A) PP == 1080

Example 6. A 500-W heater draws a current

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