TUTORIAL 1: ANSWER SCHEMES

PART 1
TASK 1:
(a) Define the following terms:
i.

FREE ELECTRONS: any electron that is not attached to an ion, atom, or molecule and is
free to move under the influence of an applied electric or magnetic field.

ii.

ELECTRIC CURRENT: Electrical current is a measure of the amount of electrical charge

transferred per unit time. It represents the flow of electrons through a conductive material.

iii.

POSITIVE CHARGE: The numbers of protons are more than the number of electrons in an
element which gives the element its positive charge as the protons have a positive charge.
Having a deficiency of electrons; having a higher electric potential

iv.

NEGATIVE CHARGE: A negative charge is the opposite of an ion. An Ion with a negative
charge becomes an Anion. Normally with a negative charge they are called Electrons. Having
a surplus of electrons; having a lower electric potential

TASK 2:
a. Explain the concept of electrical charge: electrical property of matter that causes it to
experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. There are two types of electric
charges: positive and negative. Positively charged substances are repelled from other
positively charged substances, but attracted to negatively charged substances; negatively
charged substances are repelled from negative and attracted to positive. An object is
negatively charged if it has an excess of electrons, and is otherwise positively charged or
uncharged
b. Explain the definition of the Coulombs Law: the force between two charged particles
depends on the strength of the charges and on the distance between them. Force is directly
proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them.
F = (Q1*Q2)/40r2 where,
Q1 & Q2 = Points charge
r = Distance
F = Force
0 = Permittivity of empty space. 8.85419*10-12 c2/N.m2

c. Provide the equation that represents the charge:

1 Coulomb (C) = 6.24 x 1018 electrons
1

1 electron

= 1.602 x 10 -19 C

TASK 3:
a. Define voltage and discuss its characteristics and provides the equation for the voltage:
The energy required to move a unit charge through an element, measured in volts (V). It is a
measurement of potential difference between two points.
V=W/Q
where V is voltage in volts(V), W is energy in joules (J) and Q is charge in coulombs (C).
b. Help your friend in understand the process of the potential difference by providing an analogy
to the process:
The description of potential difference frequently uses water as an analogy for electricity. This
analogy assumes that a mechanical pump is driving water through a closed circuit of pipes.
The potential difference in this analogy is the difference in water pressure between two points
in the circuit. Water therefore will flow between the two points if there is a difference in their
pressure, allowing the water to perform work. Similarly, an electrical circuit can perform
work only if a potential difference exists between two points in the circuit.
c. Give some examples related to the calculation of voltage.
Example:
Voltage at terminal A is equal to 50v and the voltage at terminal B is equal to 30v. Therefore,
the voltage across the resistor is given as:
VA = 50v, VB = 30v, therefore,
VA VB = 50 30 = 20v
TASK 4:
a. Define current and discuss its characteristics and provide the equation related to the current:
The time rate of change of charge, measured in amperes (A). Flow of current in metallic
conductors is due to movement of electrons. However, it is universally accepted that current is
the net flow of positive charges.
I=Q/t
where I is current in amperes(A), Q is charge in coulombs (C) and t is time in seconds.
b. Provide an analogy to show the process of current flows happen to help your friends
understand better.
For example, a tank as a battery, pipe as a wiring, faucet as a swith and water as current. So,
when the faucet (switch) is off, no water(current) will flow but if the faucet (switch) is on,
water(current) will flow.
TASK 5:
a. Name the instrument for measuring current, voltage and resistance, and then briefly explain
how to use that instrument to measure them.

Ammeter is a basic device to measure current in amperes, the symbol for ammeter is a circle
with enclosed letter A as shown in Figure 1. An ammeter is connected in series in order to
carry the current to be mea sured.

Figure 1: Ammeter connection

Most analog ammeters have a number of possible settings for the maximum possible
current that can be measured; for example: 2 A, 200 mA, 20 mA, 2 mA. You should always
start by turning the setting to the highest possible rating (for example, 2 A). If the ammeter
reading is too small from the selected scale, then you can reduce the scale to get the
reading. It is important not to overshoot the maximum value that can be read.
For example, if the current is about 75 mA, then the ammeter would be set to the 200 mA
scale for the most accurate reading. Setting to the 20 mA scale would overload the ammeter
and most likely open its internal fuse.

Voltmeter is a basic device to measure electrical potential or voltage in volts. The symbol
for voltmeter is a circle with enclosed letter V as shown in Figure 2. A voltmeter is
connected in parallel with the element for which the voltage is being measured.

Figure 2: Voltmeter connection

Plug the probes into the meter. Red goes to the positive (+) and black to the negative.
Turn the selector dial or switch to the type of measurement you want. To measure direct
current - a battery, for example - use DCV. To measure alternating current, such as a
wall outlet, use ACV. Choose the range setting. The dial may have options from 5 to
1000 on the DCV side and 10 to 1000 on the ACV side. The setting should be the top
end of the voltage you are reading. Not all voltmeters have this setting. Turn the meter
on. Hold the probes by the insulated handles and touch the red probe to the positive
side of a DC circuit or either side of an AC circuit. Touch the other side with the black
probe. Read the digital display or analog dial.

An ohmmeter can be used to directly measure an unknown resistance R. This is the

simplest way to measure resistance. It is important to realize that an ohmmeter can not
be used when the resistance is connected in a circuit and a current is flowing through
it! Refer Figure 3.

Figure 3: Ohmmeter connection

If you are using an ohmmeter, set it to the highest resistance range. Plug the black
lead into the socket labeled "Com" on your meter. Plug the red lead into the socket
marked by the Greek letter omega. Touch the ends of the two leads together. If your
meter is properly functioning the display should read 0.0. It may read a slight bit
higher, as the leads themselves have resistance, but if it reads over 0.3, you may have
a defective meter. Touch each the end of each lead to the end of the wire you wish to
measure. Touch the leads to the wire at the same time to complete a circuit. The meter
should display a reading of the resistance in ohms of the wire.Make a note of the
reading and adjust power as necessary to ensure proper functionality of the circuit.

TASK 6:
a. Explain how an ohmmeter is able to measure the resistance of a component when there is no
battery or other source of power connected to it.
Unlike voltmeters or ammeters, ohmmeters must contain their own power sources. An
implication of this fact is that ohmmeters must never be used to measure the resistance of an
energized component.
b. Suppose we needed to determine the resistance of the light bulb in this circuit, while energized
but we cannot simply connect an ohmmeter to an energized circuit, so how is it possible to
obtain the resistance measurement we desire?
Measure voltage across the light bulb, and current through the light bulb, and then use Ohm's
Law to calculate filament resistance from these measurements.