Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Dhanbad

Class X
Physics – Electricity

Ohm’s Law: Ohm’s Law states that the potential difference between two points is directly proportional to the
electric current, at a constant temperature.
This means potential difference V varies as electric current.
V∝I
V = RI
I = V/R
R = V/I
Where, R is constant for the given conductor at a given temperature and is called resistance.
Resistance: Resistance is the property of conductor which resists the flow of electric current through it.
S.I. unit of resistance is ohm. Ohm is denoted by Greek letter ‘Q’
1 Ohm: 1 ohm (Q) of resistance (R) is equal to the flow 1A of current through a conductor between two points
having a potential difference equal to 1V.
This means; 1Ω = 1V/1A
From the expression of Ohm’s Law, it is obvious that electric current through a resistor is inversely
proportional to resistance. This means electric current will decrease with an increase in resistance and vice
versa. The graph of V (potential difference) versus I (electric current) is always a straight line.

Graph of Potential Difference (V) Vs Electric Current (I)

Resistance: Resistance is a property of conductor due to which it resists the flow of electric current through it.
A component that is used to resist the flow of electric current in a circuit is called a resistor.
In practical application, resistors are used to increase or decrease the electric current.
Variable Resistance: The component of an electric circuit which is used to regulate the current, without
changing the voltage from the source, is called variable resistance.
Rheostat: This is a device which is used in a circuit to provide variable resistance.
Cause of Resistance in a Conductor: Flow of electrons in a conductor is electric current. The positive particles
of conductor create hindrance to flow of electrons, because of attraction between them, this hindrance is the
cause of resistance in the flow of electricity.
Factors on Which Resistance of a Conductor Depends: Resistance in a conductor depends on nature, length
and area of cross section of the conductor.
(i) Nature of Material: Some materials create least hindrance and hence, are called good conductors. Silver is
the best conductor of electricity. While some other materials create more hindrance in the flow of electric
current, i.e. flow of electrons through them. Such materials are called bad conductors. Bad conductor are also
known as insulators. Hard plastic is the one of the best insulators of electricity.
(ii) Length of Conductor:
R ∝ L …(i)
(iii) Area of Cross Section:

Thus, resistance (R) ∝ 1/Area of cross section of conductor (A)

or, R ∝ 1/A ….(ii)
 Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Dhanbad
Class X
Physics – Electricity

From equations (i) and (ii)

R ∝ L/A
R = ρ L/A
Where, ρ (rho) is the proportionality constant. It is called the electrical resistivity of the material of conductor.
From equation (iii) RA = ρl ⇒ ρ = RA/L..(iv)
The S.I. of Resistivity: Since, the S.I. unit of R is Q, S.I. unit of area is m2 and S.I. unit of length is m. Hence, unit
of resistivity (ρ) = Ω×m2m = Ωm
Thus, S.I. unit of resistivity (ρ) is Ωm.
Resistivity: It is defined as the resistance offered by a cube of a material of side 1m when current flows
perpendicular to its opposite faces. It’s S.I. unit is ohm-meter (Ωm).
Resistivity,
ρ = RA/L

Resistivity is also known as specific resistance.

Resistivity depends on the nature of the material of the conductor.
Materials having a resistivity in the range of 10-8 Ωm to 10-6 Ωm are considered as very good conductors. Silver
has resistivity equal to 1.60 × 10-8 Ωm and copper has resistivity equal to 1.62 × 10-8 Ωm.
Rubber and glass are very good insulators. They have a resistivity in the order of 10-12 Ωm to 10-8 Ωm.
The resistivity of materials varies with temperature.
Combination of resistors (Series and Parallel combination), the heating effect of electric current and electric
power.
Combination of Resistors
(i) Series combination
(ii) Parallel combination.
1. Resistors in Series: When resistors are joined from end to end, it is called in series. In this case, the total
resistance of the system is equal to the sum of the resistance of all the resistors in the system.

Let, three resistors R1, R2, and R3 get connected in series.

Potential difference across A and B = V
Potential difference across R1, R2 and R3 = V1, V2 and V3
Current flowing through the combination = I
We, know that
V= V1 + V2 + V3 …. (i)
According to Ohm’s Law :
V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2 and V3 = IR3 ….. (ii)
Let, total resistance = Rs
Then, V = IRs …(iii)
From equations (i) and (ii) and (iii)
IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
R s = R 1 + R2 + R3
 Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Dhanbad
Class X
Physics – Electricity

When the resistors are connected in series, the current flowing through each resistor is the same and is
equal to the total current.
2. Resistors in Parallel: When resistors are joined in parallel, the reciprocal of the total resistance of the
system is equal to the sum of reciprocal of the resistance of resistors.

Let three resistors R1, R2 and R3 connected in parallel.

Potential difference across point A and B = V
Total current flowing between point A and B = I
Currents flowing through resistors R1, R2 and R3 = I1, I2 and I3 respectively.
We, know that,
I = I1 + I2 + I3 …….(i)
Since, the potential difference across R1, R2, and R3 is the same = V
According to Ohm’s Law,

In parallel combination, the potential difference across each resistor is the same and is equal to the total
potential difference.

Heating Effect of Electric Current: When electric current is supplied to a purely resistive conductor, the energy
of electric current is dissipated entirely in the form of heat and as a result, resistor gets heated. The heating of
resistor because of dissipation of electrical energy is commonly known as Heating Effect of Electric Current.
Some examples are as follows : When electric energy is supplied to an electric bulb, the filament gets heated
because of which, it gives light. The heating of electric bulb happens because of heating effect of electric
current.
Cause of Heating Effect of Electric Current: Electric current generates heat to overcome the resistance offered
by the conductor through which it passes. Higher the resistance, the electric current will generate higher
amount of heat. Thus, generation of heat by electric current while passing through a conductor is an inevitable
consequence. This heating effect is used in many appliances, such as electric iron, electric heater, electric
geyser, etc.
Joule’s Law Of Heating: Let, an electric current, I is flowing through a resistor having resistance = R.
The potential difference through the resistor is = V.
 Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Dhanbad
Class X
Physics – Electricity

The charge, Q flows through the circuit for the time, t

Thus, work done in moving of charge (Q) of potential difference (V),
W=V×Q
Since this charge, Q flows through the circuit for time t
Therefore, power input (P) to the circuit can be given by the following equation :

P = W/t
P = V × Q/t …..(i)

We know, electric current, I = Qt

Substituting Q/t = I in equation (i), we get,
P = VI …(ii)
i.e., P = VI
Since, the electric energy is supplied for time ?, thus, after multiplying both sides of equation (ii) by time t, we
get,
P × t = VI × t = VIt ……(iii)
i.e., H = VIt
Thus, for steady current I, the heat produced (H) in time t is equal to VIt
H = VIt i.e., H = VIt
We know, according to Ohm’s Law,
V = IR
By substituting this value of V in equation (iii), we get,
H = IR × It
H = I2Rt ……(iv)
The expression (iv) is known as Joule’s Law of Heating, which states that heat produced in a resistor is directly
proportional to the square of current given to the resistor, directly proportional to the resistance for a given
current and directly proportional to the time for which the current is flowing through the resistor.

Electric Bulb: In an electric bulb, the filament of bulb gives light because of the heating effect of electricity.
The filament of bulb is generally, made of tungsten metal, having melting point equal to 3380°C.
Electric Iron: The element of electric iron is made of alloys having high melting point Electric heater and
geyser work on the same mechanism.

Electric Fuse: Electric fuse is used to protect the electric appliances from high voltage if any. Electric fuse is
made of metal or alloy of metals, such as aluminium, copper, iron, lead, etc. In the case of flow of higher
voltage than specified, fuse wire melts and protect the electric appliances.
Fuse of 1A, 2A, 3A, 5A, 10A, etc., used for domestic purpose.

Electric Power
S.I. unit of electric power is watt (W).
1W = 1 volt × 1 ampere = 1V × 1A
I kilowatt or 1kW = 1000 W
Consumption of electricity (electric energy) is generally measured in kilowatt.
Unit of electric energy is kilowatt-hour (kWh).
1 kWh = 1000 watt × 1 hour = 1 unit = 1000 W × 3600 s
1 kWh = 3.6 x 106 watt second = 3.6 × 106 J