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Home
Science
Electric Resistance and Ohm's Law

Electric Resistance and Ohm's Law

1.0Electric Resistance

The property of a material which offers opposition to the electric current and dissipates energy is called its ‘electric resistance’.

The ratio of applied potential difference (voltage) to the resulting electric current in a closed circuit is called ‘electric resistance’.

R=IV​

Unit of Resistance 

SI unit : ohm (Ω)

1 ohm = 1 volt/ampere or   1 Ω = 1 V A–1

Definition of 1 ohm

When the potential difference of 1 volt is applied across the ends of a conductor and the current produced in it is 1 ampere, then the resistance of the conductor is 1 ohm.

Voltage and Resistance

See the water filled bucket in the figure below. The raised water has energy that is lost when the water falls. Increasing the height from which the water falls increases the energy of the water.

Increasing the height of the water is similar to increasing the voltage of the battery. Just as the water current increases when the height of the water increases, the electric current in a circuit increases as voltage increases.

2.0Ohm’s law

(given by German physicist George Simon Ohm in 1827)

According to Ohm’s law, ‘the current through certain conductors is directly proportional to the potential difference between its ends at a constant temperature’.(see figure (a) and (b))

I∝V or V∝I

or V=IR

or R=IV​ Where, R is constant called resistance of the conductor.        

Ohm’s law for resistance R=V/I


Ohm’s law R=1/tan

Ohm’s law is not a fundamental law, it is only an empirical law that holds approximately good for many substances particularly metals. (see figure)

Ohm’s law is not a fundamental law, it is only an empirical law that holds approximately good for many substances, particularly metals.

3.0Electric Circuits

A continuous path which consists of various electric devices like bulb, tube light, resistors, etc. connected with each other through conducting wires to the terminals of a source of voltage like battery is called electric circuit.

Circuit elements

The various devices like electric bulbs, resistors, etc. connected in an electric circuit are called circuit elements. (see figure)

Circuit diagram

A diagram which indicates how different devices are connected in a circuit by using proper electric symbols for the devices is called a circuit diagram.

The various devices like electric bulbs, resistors, etc. connected in an electric circuit are called circuit elements.

Symbols of some commonly used components in circuit diagrams

1. If the current in a household appliance is 5 A, calculate the amount of charge that passes through the appliance in 1 hour.

Solution

Given, current, I = 5 A ; time, t = 1 h = 3600 s ; charge. Q=? 

Now, charge, Q = I × t = 5 × 3600 = 18000 C = 1.8 × 104 C

2. In a particular television tube, a beam of electrons is emitted. The beam current is 80 μA. How many electrons strike the screen of TV every second? Also find the total charge striking the screen in 2 minutes.

Solution

Here, I = 80 μA= 80 × 10–6 A = 8 × 10–5 A

(i) t = 1 second

Using, I=tQ​=tne​ , we get

n=eIt​=1.6×10−19C8×10−5A×1s​=5×1014 (Q e = 1.6 × 10–19 C) 

∴ 5 × 1014 electrons strike the screen every second.

(ii) Also, I=tQ​

∴ Q = It = 8 × 10–5 A × 2 minutes = 8 × 10–5 A × 2 × 60 seconds

= 960 × 10–5 C = 9600 × 10–6 C = 9600 μC

Also Read

Resistors in parallel

Reflection From Spherical Mirrors

Refraction of light through a prism

Electric Potential

Resistors and Resistivity

Electric power

Conductors, Insulators and Current Electricity

Resistors in series

Optic Reflection of Light

Table of Contents


  • 1.0Electric Resistance
  • 1.1Unit of Resistance 
  • 1.2Voltage and Resistance
  • 2.0Ohm’s law
  • 3.0Electric Circuits
  • 3.1Circuit elements
  • 3.2Circuit diagram

Frequently Asked Questions

Since electrons are negatively charged, the direction of electric current will be opposite to them. Thus, in the given situation, electric current will be anticlockwise.

Alpha particles are positively charged particles (He2+ ions), thus, the direction of electric current will be the same as that of alpha particles. In this situation, electric current will be in the north direction.

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