Chapter 5

DC Circuits
DC circuit usually consist of
- A DC power supply
- A load (resistor, capacitor and inductor) or
combination loads
- A switch Battery

resistor inductor switch

Capacitor

The loads can be connected in series or

parallel
4.2(b) Resistance & Resistor
RESISTOR COLOR
CODES
Standard resistors are
manufactured for use
in electric circuits;
they are color-coded
to indicate their value
and precision.

3
- RESISTOR COLOR CODES

Resistor Color Code Guide

4
 Series Wiring
There are many circuits in which more than one device is connected to
a voltage source.

Series wiring means that the devices are connected in such a way
that there is the same electric current through each device.

devices

resistor

Electric Voltage source

current
20.6 Series Wiring
V  V1  V2
 IR1  IR2
 I  R1  R2 
 IRS

Series resistors RS  R1  R2  R3
20.6 Series Wiring

6Ω + 3Ω

Example 8 Resistors in a Series Circuit

A 6.00 Ω resistor and a 3.00 Ω resistor are connected in

series with a 12.0 V battery. Assuming the battery
contributes no resistance to the circuit, find
(a) the current,
(b) the power dissipated in each resistor, and
(c) the total power delivered to the resistors by the battery.
20.6 Series Wiring

RS  6.00   3.00   9.00 

V 12.0 V
(a) I   1.33 A
RS 9.00 

P  I 2 R6  1.33 A 6.00   10.6 W

2
(b)

P  I 2 3 3  1.33 A  3.00    5.31 W

2

(c) P  10.6 W  5.31 W  15.9 W

or
P  I 2 R s  1.332 x 9  15.9 W
20.6 Series Wiring

Personal electronic assistants.

Parallel Wiring
Parallel wiring means that the
devices are connected in such
a way that the same voltage is
applied across each device.

When two resistors are

connected in
parallel, each receives current
from the battery as if the other
was not present.

Therefore the two resistors

connected in parallel draw more
current than does either resistor
alone.
20.7 Parallel Wiring
20.7 Parallel Wiring

The two parallel pipe sections are equivalent to a single pipe of the
same length and same total cross sectional area.
20.7 Parallel Wiring

V V 1 1   1 
I  I1  I 2    
 V     V  
R1 R2  R1 R2   RP 

Parallel Resistors

1 1 1 1
  
Req R1 R2 R3
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Example 10 Main and Remote Stereo Speakers

Most receivers allow the user to connect to “remote” speakers in

addition to the main speakers. At the instant represented in the
picture, the voltage across the speakers is 6.00 V. Determine (a)
the equivalent resistance of the two speakers, (b) the total current
supplied by the receiver, (c) the current in each speaker, and (d)
the power dissipated in each speaker.
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Req

1 1 1 3
(a)    Req  2.67 
Req 8.00  4.00  8.00 

Vrm s 6.00 V
(b) I rm s    2.25 A
Req 2.67 
20.7 Parallel Wiring

Vrms 6.00 V Vrms 6.00 V

(c) I rms(1)    0.750 A I rms (2)    1.50 A
R1 8.00  R2 4.00 

(d) P  I rms(1)Vrms  0.750 A6.00 V  4.50 W

P  I rms(2)Vrms  1.50 A6.00 V  9.00 W

20.7 Parallel Wiring

Conceptual Example 11 A Three-

Way Light Bulb
and Parallel Wiring

Within the bulb there are two separate

filaments.
When one burns out, the bulb can
produce only one level of illumination,
but not the highest.

Are the filaments connected in series

or parallel?

How can two filaments be used to

produce three different illumination
levels?
20.8 Circuits Wired Partially in Series and Partially in Parallel
20.12 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

eq

qeq  q1  q2  C1V  C2V  C1  C2 V

Parallel capacitors CP  C1  C2  C3
eq
20.12 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

eq *** Charges
are equal
for series
capacitor
qeq = q1= q2

qeq 1 1
qeq
V  V1  V2    qeq   
C1 C2  C1 C2 

1 1 1 1
Series capacitors   
Ceq C1 C2 C3
Example 1:
Two capacitors, C1= 10.0 μF and C2= 2.5 μF are connected in
series with a 12.0 V battery. Find (i) the value of the
equivalent capacitance of the combination and (ii) the charge
on each capacitor and the voltage across each.
(i) the value of the equivalent capacitance

1 1 1
 
C C C
eq 1 2
1 1 1
 
C 10x10 -6 2.5x10 -6
eq
1
 0.5 x 106
C
eq
C  2x10 -6 Farad
eq
ii) The charge on each capacitor
1 1 1 1 1
V  Qeq (  ) But (  )
C1 C2 C1 C2 Ceq
1
V  Qeq
Ceq

Q eq =Ceq V Therefore Q1 = Q2 = Qeq = 2.4 x 10-5 C

= 2 x10-6 x 12
= 2.4 x 10-5 C
Q 2.4x10 -5
Voltage for each capacitor V1   -6
 2.4V
C1 10x10
Or Q 2.4x10 -5
V2   -6
 9.6V
V =V1 + V2
C 2 2.5x10

V2 = 12 – 2.4 = 9.6 V
Example 2:
Two capacitors, C1= 2 μF and C2= 8 μF are connected in
parallel, and the resulting combination is connected to a 9V
battery. Find (i) the value of the equivalent capacitance of the
combination and (ii) the charge on each capacitor and the
voltage across each capacitor.

i) Ceq = C1 + C2 = 2 x10-6 + 8 x10-6 = 10 x10-6 F

ii) Q1 = C1V = 2 x10-6 x 9 = 1.8 x 10-5 C

Q2 = C2V = 8 x10-6 x 9 = 7.2 x 10-5 C

The voltage for C1 = 9V and C2 = 9V

23
Example 3:
(a) The equivalent capacitance of three capacitors in figure
below is 2.77 µF What is the value of C2?

(b) A 240 pF parallel capacitor has 40nC charges on its

plates. The plates are separated by 0.2 mm. Find :

i) the area of each plate

ii) the potential difference between the plates
iii) the electric field between the plates
24
 Solution
(a) 1 1 1
  where C eqp  parallel
Ceqs Ceqp 4 x 10 -6
C eqs  series
1 1 1
 
2.77 x 10 -6 C2  2 x 10 -6 4 x 10 -6
1 1 1
 
C2  2 x 10 -6 2.77 x 10 -6 4 x 10 -6
1
 1.1 x 105
C2  2 x 10 -6

C2  2 x 10 -6  9 x 10 -6
C2  9 x 10 -6  2 x 10 -6
 7.1 x 10 -6 F

25
b) Given the value of capacitor is 240 x10-12F, d= 0.2 x10-3m and Q =
40 x 10-9 C
 0  8.85 10 12 C 2 N 1m 2

i) Area of plate A

A
C chapter 3
d
Cd
A

o
240 x 10- 12 x 0.2 x 10 -3

8.85 x 10 - 12
 5.42 x 10 -3 m 2
ii) the potential difference between the plates

Q
C
V
Q A o

V d
Qd
V 
A o
-9 -3
40 x 10 x 0.2 x10
 -3 -12
5.42 x 10 x 8.85 x 10
 166.8V
27
iii) the electric field between the plates

The Electric Field

 Q
E 
 o A o
40 x 10-9
 -3 -12
5.42 x 10 x 8.85 x 10
 8.34 x 105 N/C
20.13 RC Circuits

Capacitor charging


q  qo 1  e t RC 
time constant

  RC
Time for fully charge
capacitor
20.13 RC Circuits

Capacitor discharging

Q on fully charge capacitor

q  qo e t RC
time constant

  RC
Time for fully
dicharge capacitor
Example 1:
A 20 µF capacitor is connected to a 45 V battery through a
circuit whose resistance is 2000Ω.

(a) What is the final charge on the capacitor?

(b) How long does it take for the charge to reach 63 percent
of its final value?

(c) Find the charge on the capacitor at 0.01 s after the

connection to the battery is made.
(a) What is the final charge on the capacitor?

Q = CV
= 20 x 10-6 x 45 = 9 x 10-4 C

(b) How long does it take for the charge to reach 63 percent of its final
value?

Time for full charging

  RC
 2000 x 20 x 10 -6
 0.04s
 For 65%
65
t x 0.04
100
 0.026s
(c) Find the charge on the capacitor at 0.01 s after the connection
to the battery is made.

For 0.04s the charge is 9 x 10 -4 C

when t  0.01s
The discharge Q
9 x 10-4 x 0.01
Q
0.04
 2.25 x 10 -4 C
Remaining Q after 0.01s
Q0.01  9 x 10-4  2.25 x 10-4
 6.75 x 10-4 C
Example 2:
A 5µF capacitor is charged by being connected to a 3 V
battery. The battery is then disconnected.

(a) If the resistance of the dielectric material between the

capacitor plates is 109 Ω, find the time required for the
charge on the capacitor to drop to 37 percent of its original
value?

(b) What is the charge remaining on the capacitor 1 hour after

it has been disconnected?
20.9 Internal Resistance

Batteries and generators add some resistance to a circuit. This resistance

is called internal resistance.

The actual voltage between the terminals of a battery is known as the

terminal voltage.

Terminal
voltage

ε
Emf
20.1 Electromotive Force and Current
Within a battery, a chemical reaction occurs that transfers
recall electrons from one terminal to another terminal.

The maximum potential difference across the terminals is called

the electromotive force (emf), . ε

a
b

Ԑ
r
a b Vab: Potential difference (PD)
r : internal resistance
ε : electromotive force
Unit for ε and PD: Volt (V)
 Example 1:
A 65.0-Ω resistor is connected to the terminals of a
battery whose emf is 12.0 V and whose internal
resistance is 0.5 Ω. Calculate
(a) the current in the circuit and,
(b) the terminal voltage of the battery, Vab.
Solution:
(a) Given R = 65.0-Ω ; emf = 12.0 V and r = 0.5 Ω

V    Ir But V  IR
IR    Ir
12 
Therefore I    0.18 A
Rr 65  0.5
(b) Terminal voltage Vab = є – Ir
= 12 – (0.18 x 0.5)
= 11.91V
 Example 2:

When switch S in figure below is open, the voltmeter, V

connected across the terminals of the dry cell reads
3.04 V. When the switch is closed, the voltmeter
reading drops to 2.77 V and the ammeter, A reads
3.0 A. Find the value of resistance R and internal
resistance of the cell.
Solution
Given  = 3.04V V circuit = 2.77V I = 3.0A

V 2.77
a) R   0.92
I 3.0
b)
  V  Ir
 V 3.04  2.77
r   0.09
I 3
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

The loop rule expresses conservation of energy in

terms of the electric potential and states that for a
closed circuit loop, the total of all potential rises is the
same as the total of all potential drops.

V = IR1 + IR2
=12V = 2 x 5 + 2 x1
= 10V + 2V
= 12V
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

KIRCHHOFF’S RULES

There Two rules

a) Junction Rule
b) Loop Rules
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Junction rule.
The sum of the magnitudes of the
currents directed into a junction equals
Out
the sum of the magnitudes of the
currents directed out of a junction. Out

I  I
in out

In
 I1 I1 I1
I2
I2 I2
I3 I3 I3
Example
Calculate the value of I2 and I4

I4

I1=19A I3=10A

I2 I5=10A
Example
I4 (In)
(In) (Out)
I1=19A I3=10A

I3=10A
(In)
I5=15A (Out)
(Out) I2

Junction rule I in   I out

I 1 = I2 + I3 I3 + I4 = I5
I2 = I1 - I3 = 19 – 10 I4 = I5 - I3 = 15 – 10
I2 = 9A I2 = 5A
Loop rule. Around any closed circuit loop, the
sum of the potential drops equals the sum of the
potential rises.
R1 R2

V1 V2

V   IR
V1  V2  IR 1  IR 2
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Example 14 Using Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule

Determine the current in the circuit.

20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules
V12

V8

V   IR
24 V  I 12    6.0 V  I 8.0  
potentialrises potentialdrops

I  0.90 A
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules
20.10 Kirchhoff’s Rules

Reasoning Strategy

Applying Kirchhoff’s Rules

1. Draw the current in each branch of the circuit. Choose any direction.
If your choice is incorrect, the value obtained for the current will turn out
to be a negative number.

2. Mark each resistor with a + at one end and a – at the other end in a way
that is consistent with your choice for current direction in step 1. Outside a
battery, conventional current is always directed from a higher potential (the
end marked +) to a lower potential (the end marked -).

3. Apply the junction rule and the loop rule to the circuit, obtaining in the process
as many independent equations as there are unknown variables.

4. Solve these equations simultaneously for the unknown variables.

Determine the loop

Loop I

Loop II
Solution
Junction Rules
 I in   I out
I A  I B I H
 I B I HI A (1)
Loop I
 V   IR Loop I
12  0.01I B  1.2 I H
12  0.01( I H  I A )  1.2 I H
12  0.01I H 0.01I A  1.2 I H
12  1.21I H 0.01I A
x by 100
1200  121I H  I A (2)
 Loop II
Loop II
 Vexit   IR
14 - 12  0.1I A  0.01I B
2  0.1I A  0.01( I H  I A )
2  0.1I A  0.01I H  0.01I A
2  0.11I A  0.01I H
x by 100
200  - I H 11I A (3)
1200  121I H  I A (2)
200  - I H 11I A (3)
1200  121I H  I A (2)
11 x (2)
13 200  1331I H  11I A (4)
(3)  (4)
13400  1330I H
13400
IH 
1330
 10.08A
I H into (3)
200  -10.08  11I A
11I A  210.08
I A  19.1A

I A and I H in (1)
IB  I H  I A
 10.08 - 19.1
 - 9.02A
 Example
10Ω 20Ω

20V
10V 40Ω

Calculate the current in the circuit

 Solution Set 1
10Ω 20Ω
I11 I2

I3

20V
10V I 40Ω II

Juntion Rule
ΣIin = ΣIout
I1 + I 2 = I 3

Loop I
∑Vexit=∑IR
10 = 10I1 + 40 I3

Loop II
∑Vexit=∑IR
20 = 20I2 + 40 I3
 Solution Set 2
10Ω 20Ω
I11 I2

I3

20V
10V I 40Ω II

Juntion Rule
ΣIin = ΣIout
I1 + I 3 = I 2

Loop I
∑Vexit=∑IR
10 = 10I1 - 40 I3

Loop II
∑Vexit=∑IR
-20 = 20I2 + 40 I3
 Solution Set 3
10Ω 20Ω
I11 I2

I3

20V
10V I 40Ω II

Juntion Rule
ΣIin = ΣIout
I3 = I 1 + I 2

Loop I
∑Vexit=∑IR
-10 = 10I1 + 40 I3

Loop II
∑Vexit=∑IR
-20 = 20I2 + 40 I3
 Solution Set 4
10Ω 20Ω
I11 I2

I3

10V I 40Ω
II 20V

Juntion Rule
ΣIin = ΣIout
I2 = I 1 + I 3

Loop I
∑Vexit=∑IR
-10 = 10I1 - 40 I3

Loop II
∑Vexit=∑IR
20 = 20I2 + 40 I3
 Solution Set 5
10Ω 20Ω
I11 I2

I3

10V
I 40Ω II 20V

Juntion Rule
ΣIin = ΣIout
I2 + I 3 = I 1

Loop I
∑Vexit=∑IR
-10 = 10I1 + 40 I3

Loop II
∑Vexit=∑IR
20 = 20I2 - 40 I3
 Solution Set 6
10Ω 20Ω
I11 I2

I3

20V
10V 40Ω

Juntion Rule
ΣIin = ΣIout
I1 = I 2 + I 3

Loop I
∑Vexit=∑IR
10 = 10I1 + 40 I3

Loop II
∑Vexit=∑IR
-20 = 20I2 - 40 I3
Potentiometer, Wheatstone
bridge, balanced circuits
A. Potentiometer

The potentiometer primarily measures

potential difference. It also can be used to:

a)measure potential differences and current

in general
b)compare e.m.f
c)compare resistances
APPLICATION
POTENTIOMETER
 APPLICATION
Manually adjustable electrical resistor that uses three
terminals.
In a loudspeaker, a potentiometer is used to adjust the
volume.
In a television set, computer monitor or light dimmer, it can be
used to control the brightness of the screen or light bulb.

Potentiometers also can be used to control the potential

difference, or voltage.

When only two of the three terminals are used, the potentiometer acts as
a type of variable resistor called a rheostat.
a) Measure potential differences
Fig shows a potentiometer which consists of
a uniform slide wire AB of length 1.0m long.

A driver cell D, usually a lead-acid

accumulator is connected across the wire
AB.

The potential difference V to be measured is

connected to the terminals X and Y.

The jockey, J is then moved along the wire

AB until the center-zero galvanometer is
balanced.

If l = AJ (the balance length), therefore;

potential difference, V = potential difference

across AJ
To be measured
= I (lr)

Vαl
S

E o
 lo
l

lo 1
A graph of against is plotted as in fig. From graph
l R
lo 1 1
 0 then 
l R r
B
APPLICATION
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
5.2. Wheatstone Bridge

To determine the unknown resistance of a resistor.

Figure above shows the schematic diagram of a

Wheatstone bridge.
The bridge has four resistive arms together with a source
of voltage and a detector meter such as galvanometer.
If R4 is the unknown resistor, its resistance
R4 can be express as follows:

R4 R3

R2 R1
R 2 R3
 R4 
R1
 Example
If a Wheatstone bridge, as shown in figure, nulls with
R1=1000 Ω, R2=842 Ω, and R3=500 Ω, find the value of
R4.
 Solution
R 2 R3
Rx  Rx

R1
Given R1=1000 Ω, R2=842 Ω, and R3=500
Ω,

842 x 500
R4 
1000
 421 
85
 APPLICATION
BALANCED CIRCUIT

 A balanced circuit is circuitry for use with a balanced line or

the balanced line itself.
 Balanced lines are a common method of transmitting many
types of electrical communication signals between two points on
two wires.
APPLICATION
EXAMPLES
20.11 The Measurement of Current and Voltage

An ammeter is an
instrument for measuring
electric current in amperes.
An ammeter must be
inserted into a circuit so
that the current passes
directly through it. It must
be connected in series with
the load
20.11 The Measurement of Current and Voltage

A voltmeter is an instrument
for measuring electric
potential in volts. To measure
the voltage between two
points in a circuit, a voltmeter
is connected between the
points (Connected in parallel
to the load).
Galvanometer

A dc galvanometer is an
instrument for detecting
small currents. The coil
of wire and pointer rotate
when there is a current in
the wire.
 Converting Galvanometer into
Ammeter
The galvanometer can be converted into ammeter by
adding a shunt resistor parallel to the galvanometer

Galvanometer
Example
Galvanometer If a galvanometer with a full-scale
limit of 0.100 mA is to be used to
measure the current of 60.0 mA in a circuit
of 3 volt. Calculate the value of shunt
resistor must be added to convert into an
ammeter.

Solution

A shunt resistance must be used so that

the excess current of 59.9 mA can detour
around the galvanometer coil.

V  IR
V 3
R  -3
I 59.9 x 10
 50.1
 Converting Galvanometer into
Voltmeter
The galvanometer can be converted into voltmeter by
adding a multiplier resistor in series with the
galvanometer so the is no flow of current through the
galvanometer
V
R G
I
R is the required resistance
V is the maximum voltage to be measured
I is the maximum permisible current
multiplier through the galvanomet er
resistor G is the resistance of the galvanomet er
Example

A voltmeter is to measure voltage between 0 -10V. The

galvanometer resistance is 20 ohms and maximum
permissible current is 0.1mA. Calculate the value of
resistance needed to be added to the galvanometer

V
R G
I
10
 -3
 20
0.1 x10
 100 x 10 
3
20.13 RC Circuits
20.14 Safety and the Physiological Effects of Current

To reduce the danger inherent in using circuits, proper electrical grounding

is necessary.