First Chapter Introduction To Applied Physics
First Chapter Introduction To Applied Physics
Physics
Dr. Javed Ahmed Laghari
Associate Professor
( javed@quest.edu.pk )
2 (1) 2
The number of electrons 2
in First Shell, n = 1
Conductors:
When the number of valence electrons of an atom
is less than 4 (i.e. half of the maximum eight
electrons), the material is usually a metal and a
conductor.
Examples are copper and
aluminum which have 1,
and 3 valence electrons
respectively.
Conductors:
Def:The conductor is the
type of metal which allows
the electrical current to
flow through it.
Def:The insulator is the type of metal which does
Insulators: not allow the electrical current to flow through it.
When the number of valence electrons of an atom is more than 4, the material is usually a
non-metal and an insulator.
Examples are nitrogen, sulphur and neon which have 5, 6 and 8 valence electrons
respectively.
Semi-conductors:
When the number of valence electrons of an atom is 4 (i.e. exactly one-half of the
maximum 8 electrons), the material has both metal and non-metal properties and is
usually a semi-conductor.
Examples are carbon, silicon and germanium.
Electric Charge ( Q ):
Def: Electrical charge is an electrical property of matter that exists because of an excess or
deficiency of electrons.
When an excess of electrons exists in a material, there is a net negative electrical charge.
When a deficiency of electrons exists, there is a net positive electrical charge.
Charge is denoted by the letter Q.
SI unit of charge is coulomb abbreviated as C.
One coulomb of charge is equal to the charge on 625 × 1016 electrons, i.e.
1 coulomb = Charge on 6.25 × 1018 electrons
Charge on electron
1 1 19
1.6 10 C
625 1016
6.25 1018
This example is taken from the book Principles of Electric
The total charge Q, expressed in coulombs, for a given number of electrons is stated in the
following formula:
Number of Electrons
Q=
6.25 × 1018 electrons/C
Example:
How many coulombs do 93.8 x 1016 electrons represent?
Solution:
As we know that
Number of Electrons 93.8 × 1016 electrons
Q= = = 15×10-2 C
6.25 × 1018 electrons/C 6.25 × 1018 electrons/C
Q = 0.15 C
Electric Current ( I ):
Def: Electrical current is the rate of flow of charge.
Def: The directed flow of free electrons (or charge) is called electric current.
Electric Current is denoted by I. Mathematically,
Q The conventional symbol for current is I, which originates from the French
I phrase intensité du courant, (current intensity). The I symbol was used
t by André-Marie Ampère, after whom the unit of electric current is named.
Q C
I A
t Second
Therefore, one ampere = couloumb/second.
This restriction varies and is determined by the type of material. The property of a material
that restricts the flow of electrons is called resistance.
It may be noted here that resistance is the electric friction offered by the substance and
causes production of heat with the flow of electric current.
The moving electrons collide with atoms or molecules of the substance; each collision
resulting in the liberation of minute quantity of heat.
Resistance ( R ): Voltage, V
Mathematically, Resistance, R =
Current, I
An ohm may be defined as
A wire is said to have a resistance of 1 ohm if a potential
difference of 1 volt across its ends causes 1 ampere to flow
through it.
Resistance is expressed in ohms, symbolized by the Greek letter omega (Ω ).
The schematic symbol for resistance is shown in Figure whereas bottom
figure shows the schematic symbol for variable resistor.
Resistor:
Def:The resistor is an electrical component which offers resistance in the flow of electric
current.
The principal applications of resistors are
To limit current in a circuit,
To divide voltage, and, in certain cases,
To generate heat.
Law of Resistance: OR
Factors Upon Which Resistance Depends:
The resistance R of a conductor
(i) is directly proportional to its length i.e. R l 1
(ii) is inversely proportional to its area of X-section i.e. R
(iii) depends upon the nature of material. a
(iv) depends upon temperature.
From the first three points (leaving temperature for the time being), we have,
l l
R R
a a
where ρ (Greek letter ‘Rho’) is a constant and is
known as resistivity or specific resistance of
the material. Its value depends upon the nature
of the material.
Specific Resistance OR Resistivity:
Def:The specific resistance of a material is the resistance offered by 1 m length of wire of
material having an area of cross-section of 1 m2.
Take a cube of the material having each side 1 m.
Considering any two opposite faces, the area of cross-
section is 1 m2 and length is 1 m as shown in Figure.
Hence specific resistance of a material may be defined as
the resistance between the opposite faces of a metre cube of
the material.
Unit of Resistivity:
We know that
R
l R a m 2
m
a l m
Resistivity:
The resistivity of substances varies over a wide range. To give an idea to the reader, the
following table may be referred:
S.No. Material Nature Resistivity (Ω-m) at room temperature
1. Copper Metal 1.7x10-8
2. Iron Metal 9.68x10-8
3. Pure Silicon Semiconductor 2.5x103
4. Pure Germanium Semiconductor 0.6
5. Glass Insulator 1010 to 1014
6. Mica Insulator 1011 to 1015
It may be noted from the above Table that resistivity of metals is very small. Therefore,
these materials are good conductors of electric current.
On the other hand, resistivity of insulators is extremely large. As a result, these materials
hardly conduct any current.
There is also an intermediate class of semiconductors. The resistivity of these substances
lies between conductors and insulators.
Examples on Resistance:
Figure shows tow conductors namely A and B of the same
length and different area of cross-section. Can you guess
which conductor will have higher resistance?
If the length of conductor A and B is 1 meter and 5 meters
respectively. Then, which conductor will have lower resistance?
If the area of conductor A and B is 1 m2 and 5 m2 respectively.
Then, which conductor will have lower resistance? A L=1m
Area =1m2
A B L=3m
Area =3m2
B
Conductance ( G ):
Def:The reciprocal of resistance of a conductor is called its conductance.
Def: Conductance is the measure of ease with which current can pass through a material.
Whereas resistance of a conductor is the opposition to current flow, the conductance of a
conductor is the inducement to current flow.
If a conductor has resistance R, then its conductance G is given by;
1
G
R
The SI unit of conductance is mho (i.e., ohm spelt
backward). These days, it is a usual practice to use
Siemen as the unit of conductance. It is denoted by
the symbol S.
Conductivity ( ):
Def:The reciprocal of resistivity of a conductor is called its conductivity or specific
conductance of the material.
Def: It represents a material's ability to conduct electric current.
It is denoted by Greek letter σ (Sigma’).
Its value depends upon the nature of the material. 1
If a conductor has resistivity ρ, then its conductivity is given by;
1 1 1a
G G G G
a
R ( l) / a l l
G
a Gl S m
s/m
l a m 2
( Rt R0 ) R0 t
( Rt R0 ) 0 R0 t
Where α0 is a constant and is called temperature co-
efficient of resistance at 0°C.
Its value depends upon the nature of material and
temperature.
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance:
A little reflection shows that unit of α will be ohm/ohm°C i.e./°C.
Thus, copper has a temperature co-efficient of resistance of 0.00426/°C.
It means that if a copper wire has a resistance of 1 Ω at 0°C, then it will increase by 0.00426
Ω for 1°C rise in temperature i.e. it will become 1.00426 Ω at 1°C.
Similarly, if temperature is raised to 10°C, then resistance will become 1 + 10 × 0.00426 =
1.0426 ohms.
Note: The life expectancy of electrical apparatus is limited by the temperature of its
insulation; the higher the temperature, the shorter the life.
The useful life of electrical apparatus reduces approximately by half every time the
temperature increases by 10°C.
This means that if a motor has a normal life expectancy of eight years at a temperature of
100°C, it will have a life expectancy of only four years at a temperature of 110°C, of two years
at a temperature of 120°C and of only one year at 130°C.
Ohms Law:
The relationship between voltage ( V ), the current ( I ) and resistance ( R )
in a d.c. circuit was first discovered by German scientist George Simon
*Ohm. This relationship is called Ohm’s law and may be stated as under:
Ohm’s law states that current is directly proportional to voltage and
inversely proportional to resistance provided that physical conditions * The unit of
remains constant. resistance (i.e.
Mathematically, 1
IV
ohm) was named
I V V IR in his honour.
V R
= Constant = R
I
The ratio of potential difference ( V ) between the ends of a conductor to the current ( I )
flowing between them is constant, provided the physical conditions (e.g. temperature etc.)
do not change.
These formulae can be applied to any part of a d.c. circuit or to a complete circuit.
Ohms Law:
It means that if the voltage across a resistor is increased, the current through the resistor
will also increase; and, likewise, if the voltage is decreased, the current will decrease.
For example, if the voltage is doubled, the current will double. If the voltage is halved, the
current will also be halved.
Similarly, if the voltage is held constant, less resistance results in more current, and, also,
more resistance results in less current.
For example, if the resistance is
halved, the current doubles. If the
resistance is doubled, the current is
halved.
Ohms law provides linear graph.
Ohms Law:
Just look at the Figure A and B, both graphs shows the
ohms law V and I relationship. Can you guess which
one is correct ?
The correct answer is that Figure A is the correct
graph. It is because Voltage is an independent variable
which must be placed on the x-axis.
The ohms law graph given in
V.K.Mehta book consists of Figure
B. Therefore, it is not correct.
B