ELECTRICAL UNITS

Electric Current;
Symbol: I
Unit: Ampere (A)
Measured with/using: Ammeter
Equations:

Q
t

or

V
R

The Ampere;
1. is the current flowing through 1
ohm of resistance at 1 volt potential.
2. is the current which, if maintained
in two straight parallel conductors of

infinite length, of negligible circular

cross-section, and placed 1 meter
apart in a vacuum, would produce
between these conductors a force of
-7

2x10 (N/m) Newton per metre of

length.
Quantity of Electricity or Electric
Charge;
Symbol: Q
Unit: Coulomb (C)
Equations:

Q I t

Q
t

Q
I

The Coulomb is the electric charge

(Q) passing any point in a circuit
when a steady current (I) of 1 ampere
flows for 1 second.
Electromotive Force (e.m.f)
Symbol: E
Unit: volt (V)
Measured with/using: Voltmeter
The e.m.f is the maximum force or
pressure available to cause current to
flow.

Sources of e.m.f Electric Cells or

Generators.
Potential Difference (p.d);
Symbol: V
Unit: volt (V)
Measured with/using: Voltmeter
*Equations:

energy
W

ch arg e
Q

P
I

Energy _ or _ Work _ done W

time
t

The p.d;
1. The pressure or voltage available
across the ends of a circuit.

2. is the difference in electrical

charge between two points in a circuit
expressed in volts.
*The volt is the p.d between two
points of a wire carrying 1 amp, when
the power used between these points
is 1 watt.
Electric Resistance;
Symbol: R
Unit: ohm ()
Measured with/using: Ohmmeter

Equations:

V
I

P I 2R

V2
R

P V I

The ohm;
1. is the resistance of a conductor
when a p.d of 1 volt, connected
across it, produces a current of 1
amp.
2. is the resistance of a conductor in
which the current is 1 amp when a
p.d of 1 volt is connected across
it.
Examples

1. If a charge of 25C passes a given

point in a circuit in a time of 5
seconds, determine the current in
the circuit.
2. The power in a circuit is 20W
and the current is 10A. Calculate
(i) the voltage of the circuit (ii)
the energy of one coulomb of
charge in the circuit.
3. A current of 5A flows in a
resistor of 8. Determine (i) the

power consumed (ii) the energy

(heat) given off in 30 seconds.
Easy Examples
1. A current of 2 A flows for 30
seconds through a lamp. How much
charge has moved?
2. A current of 12 A flows for 2
seconds into an electric cooker.
How much charge has the cooker
used?
3. If 400 C of charge flows through an
air conditioning unit every second,
what current does it draw?

4. A current of 3 A flows into a

television set. For how long would it
take 60 C of charge to flow through
it?
5. Calculate the quantity of electricity,
Q, obtained when a current of 25
amps runs for 1 second.
6. Calculate the current needed to
provide 30 coulombs of electricity in
5 seconds.
7. Calculate the time required to
produce 100 C of electricity using a
current of 10 amps.
More Examples

1. A current of 2 A flows for 30

seconds through a lamp. How much
charge has moved?
2. A current of 12 A flows for 2
minutes into an electric cooker.
How much charge has the cooker
used?
3. If 400 C of charge flows through an
air conditioning unit every 4 seconds,
what current does it draw?
4. A current of 3 A flows into a
television set. For how long would it
take 60 C of charge to flow through
it?

5. Calculate the quantity of electricity,

Q, obtained when a current of 25
amps runs for 1 minute.
6. Calculate the current needed to
provide 3000 coulombs of electricity
in 5 minutes.
7. Calculate the time required to
produce 1200 C of electricity using a
current of 10 amps.