1.

4 Cells and Batteries

 The electricity used to operate a pacemaker
comes from an electrochemical cell that
supplies a steady current.
 An electrochemical cell  package of
chemicals designed to produce small
amounts of electricity from chemical
reactions.
Dry Cells
 are called “dry” because the chemicals are in
a paste.
 are sealed
 the chemical reaction in the cell releases free
electrons
 electrons travel from the negative terminal of
the cell to the positive terminal of the cell.
 An electrolyte is a paste or liquid that
conducts electricity because it contains
chemicals that form ions.
 An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that
has become electrically charged through the
loss or gain of electrons from one atom to
another.
 The electrolyte reacts with the two metals,
called electrodes.
Wet Cells
 Uses a liquid electrolyte
that is usually an acid
 Each electrode in the wet
cell reacts differently with
the electrolyte.
 The acidic electrolyte
gradually eats away the
zinc electrode leaves
behind electrons that give
the disappearing
electrode a negative
charge.
 the chemical reaction
between the copper
electrode and the acidic
electrolyte leaves the
copper with a positive
charge, but does not eat
away the copper.
 Electrons travel along the
wire from the negative
zinc electrode to the
positive copper electrode
Rechargeable Cells
 The dry cells and wet cells are called primary
cells Primary cells produce electricity from
chemical reactions that cannot be reversed.
 Rechargeable cells are also known as
secondary cells. The reversed flow of
electrons restores the reactants that are used
up when the cell produces electricity. Ni-Cd
or Ni-Cad batteries are the most common
rechargeable batteries
 Connecting cells together creates a battery.
Electrochemistry
 Alessandro Volta made the first practical
battery around 1800 connecting many cells
together could produce more voltage and
power,
 The splitting of molecules into their
elements, a process called electrolysis.  ex.
water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Electrochemistry
 Humphry Davy and others led to a whole new
field of science: electrochemistry Obtaining
electricity from a chemical cell is just one of
the many applications of electrochemistry.
Electrolysis is another.
Electrolysis
 Many industrial processes use electrolysis to
separate useful elements from solutions.
 Ex. chlorine produced by electrolysis is used
to make drinking water safe. It is also used to
produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products
such as pipe and wire insulation.
Electrolysis
 Electroplating coating a cheaper metal with
a thin layer of silver or gold.
Electrolysis
 Anodizing  a process to coat aluminum
parts with a layer of aluminum oxideThis
oxide coating is much harder than pure
aluminum.  ex. produce airplane parts
Electrolysis
 Electrorefining  used to remove impurities
from metal making pure gold bricks from
impure gold.
 Topic 2.0
Technologies can be used to
transfer and control electrical
energy
At the end of this topic you will be able to:

1. identify electrical conductors and resistors

2. compare the resistance of different
materials
3. use switches and resistors to control current
2.1 Controlling the flow of
Electrical Current

Neon signs have applications of electrical technology.

 First, electricity must travel through the tube in order to
make the neon gas inside glow.
 Second, the sign must be able to be turned on and off.
 Third, the whole thing must be contained  no one
accidentally electrocuted.
 neon gas is an insulator—it does not conduct
electricity.
A Unique Circuit
Neon gas (acts in the same way as a wire)  conducts
the flow of charged electrons from the negative terminal to
the positive terminal. There are other gases which act as
conductors, including:

• Neon  gives a orange-pink light

• Neon and argon  give a purple light
• Helium  gives a yellowish-white light
Neon is usually an insulator, but
electricity 'excites the neon
atoms, electrons themselves
from the atoms, giving a mixture
of charged particles inside the
tube (which are good
conductors).
 CONDUCTORS AND
INSULATORS
Remember  insulator is a substance that
strongly resists the flow of electricity
In insulators electrons are bonded closely to the
nuclei (allowing little movement),

Conductor with no
voltage applied: The
electrons are not as
tightly bound to the
nuclei. They can drift
away from the nuclei but
do not flow in any one
direction.
while in conductors, the electrons are free.
However, a current will flow only when the
conductor is connected to an electrical source.

(b) Conductor with no voltage applied:

The electrons are not as tightly bound to the nuclei.
They can drift away from the nuclei but do not flow in
any one direction.
 When electricity is added, the
electrons move toward the
positive terminal.

Conductor with voltage applied:The electrons flow toward the

positive terminal of the voltage source
 Summary  Electrons in a conductor are free
to move, while those in an insulator are not.

Remember Voltage (d) is a measure of how much electrical

energy each charged particle carries.

The higher the voltage is, the greater the potential energy of each particle.
 Examples of conductors and Insulators

Good Conductors

Good Insulator
Super conductors are almost perfect conductors

they have almost no resistance to electron flow.

The largest obstacle is to get the superconductor to work at

reasonable temperatures for practical applications.
Using Conductors, Resistors
and Insulators

A special type of conductor, called a resistor allows

electrons to flow, but provides some resistance
resistor  limits the amount of current.

For any given voltage, more current flows through a

resistor with a low resistance than through one with a
high resistance.
Resistance  is a measure
of how difficult it is for the
electrons to flow through a
conductor. It is measured in
ohms.
Essentially resistors act like at traffic jam

Electrons enter at a normal rate, but then the resistor backs

them up  causes them to collide  produces heat

the resistor restricts the flow and the electrons collide

e e
The more resistance a substance has, the greater the
energy gain it receives from the electrons that pass
through it.( more collisions)  is evident in heat and
light energy (light bulb filament, wire in a toaster).
Solutions can also be resistors. 'Lie detectors' are also
special applications of resistance within the body (skin
resistance, blood pressure and respiration). An
increase in stress (usually associated with a lie) will
improve conductivity and show a 'peak' in the
recording device.
Switches and Variable
Resistor
A switch is usually the best method for turning
electricity on and off in a circuit.

A switch is a device that allows the flow of

electrons or stops the flow.
When the switch is open, the is no flow,
because there is a gap in the conductor.

Open switch
When the switch is closed, the switch becomes the 'gap
replacement' and allows the flow of electrons to
continue.

closed switch
This doorbell button is an example of
a momentary switch. As soon as
you release the button, the contact
arm springs back and opens the
switch. The switch is closed
only for a moment.
To change the electron flow gradually, a variable resistor,
or rheostat is used

Rheostats can increase or decrease the amount of current

in a circuit by adjusting the portion of the resistor that the
current travels through.

Examples of rheostats are volume controls on stereos and

foot-operated speed controls for sewing machines

http://home.howstuffworks.com/dimmer-switch.htm/printable
 2.2 Modelling and Measuring
Electricity

So far in this section, you have learned many different terms

to describe electrical current. Voltage, current, resistance,
conductors, and cells all describe different aspects of
electron flow.

model using water can be helpful for understanding

electricity.
Like flowing water:

 electricity must come from a source.

 Like water smashing into rocks in rapids,
electricity encounters resistance.
 The more water, the more powerful the
current in a river.
 The more electrons, the more powerful the
current is in a conductor.
 MODELLING VOLTAGE

Waterfalls can model current, voltage, and resistance in a circuit.

Waterfall A has a large flow of water  waterfall A would have the

greatest flow of current.( water pressure)

Waterfalls B and C would have similar voltages ( because the

same height) , but B has greater resistance, and therefore less
current flow.
MODELLING RESISTANCE
AND CURRENT
The flow of water in pipes is another useful model of
electricity.

the longer and thinner a pipe is, the more resistance it has
to the flow of water. A pipe with a bigger diameter has less
resistance, which allows a greater flow of water.
Similarly, the amount of resistance in a circuit affects the
electrical current.

For any given voltage, current decreases if you add

resistance.

The shorter and thicker the wire, the less resistance it

creates for electrons.
 OHM'S LAW
German scientist Georg Simon Ohm was able to prove a
mathematical link between voltage (V), current (I), and
resistance (R). Such that V = I × R

The unit of resistance was named after him, the ohm.

Ohm's law states that as long as temperature stays the

same:
1) the resistance of a conductor stays constant

2) the current is directly proportional to the voltage applied.

 if you increase the voltage in a circuit, the current also

increases.
 Ohm’s Law
Calculated
Measured
Quantity Symbol Unit with Ohm's
with
law
volts
Voltage V V=I×R voltmeter
(V)
Current I amperes I = V/R ammeter
(A)
Resistance R ohms R= I/V
V/I ohmmeter
Ω

As long as two of the values are known, the third one can be calculated.
Steps to Solving the Problem

1. Identify known quantities.

2. Identify the unknown quantity.
3. Use the correct formula.
4. Solve the problem.
Example
An electric stove is connected to a 240-V outlet. If the
current flowing through the stove is 20 A, what is the
resistance of the heating element?
Identify known quantities.
current (I) = 20 A,
voltage (V) = 240 V
Identify the unknown quantity.
resistance (R)
Use the correct formula.
R= V/I
Solve the problem.
R= 240 V /20 A
R = 12 Ω Skill Practice p. 307 1-3
 USING TEST METERS

Voltmeters
In subsection 1.2, we learned how a voltmeter is used to
measure voltage.
Recall that voltage is the potential difference between two
points.
To measure the potential each terminal of the device must
be connected to the appropriate positive or negative
terminal of a voltmeter  red lead to the positive
terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal.

Note that meters used to measure small voltages are

sometimes called millivoltmeters.
Many electricians refer to the potential
difference across a resistor or device as
voltage drop.
Ammeters

Ammeters are used to measure electric current in

amperes  current is the rate of flow of electricity in a
circuit. It is a measure of how many electrons move
past a point in a circuit each second.

Meters used to measure small currents are sometimes

called galvanometers.
Multimeters
By turning a selector switch on the
front of the case, you can set such
multimeters to measure voltage,
current, or resistance in a circuit.

You must be careful that you have

selected the right setting for the
quantity you want to measure
.
 TYPES OF RESISTORS
A wide variety of resistors are made for different applications

Resistors are available with values covering the whole range

between conductors (very low resistance) and insulators
(very high resistance).

Resistors can be made with a number of techniques and

materials, but the two most common types are wire-wound
and carbon-composition.

Check and reflect worksheet

2.3 Analyzing and Building
Electrical Circuits
Engineers and designers of electrical circuits use symbols
to identify components and connections. A drawing
made with these symbols is called a schematic or
schematic diagram.

Schematics can sometimes seem complicated, but all

circuits have four basic parts:
1. sources

2. conductors

3. switching mechanisms

4. and loads.
 source provides energy and a supply of electrons for
the circuit.

 conductor provides a path for current.

 switching mechanism controls current flow, turning it on

and off, or directing it into different parts of the circuit.

 load converts electrical energy into some other form of

energy.
Circuit Analysis Example - Bulldozer
The toy bulldozer has 2 loads, a motor and a bulb.
2 - 1.5V cells act as the energy source. A switching
mechanism connects to 4 wires. The circuit diagram
follows.
 Loads
Motor and light

Batteries

switch
PARALLEL AND SERIES
CIRCUITS
You may have noticed burned-out bulbs in displays.

In order for a bulb to operate, current must travel through it.

If the bulbs are connected in a single string with the current

running through each bulb in turn  the whole string
goes out if any of the bulbs burns out or becomes loose
in its socket.

Circuits can be designed to avoid this problem.

 Series Circuits

The circuit in which the current passes through each bulb in

turn is called a series circuit.
One problem: In a series circuit, there is only one pathway
for the current  If that pathway is interrupted, the whole
circuit cannot function.
Other problem: adding components increases the total
resistance of the circuit. This decreases the current 
adding an extra bulb to a series string of lights makes all the
bulbs dimmer.
 Parallel Circuits

Parallel circuits have a separate current path for each section

of the circuit
each bulb has its own path to the current source.

An interruption or break in one pathway does not affect the rest
of the pathways in the circuit

adding a new pathway with more resistors does not affect the
resistance in any of the other pathways.
In fact, adding extra resistors in parallel decreases the total
resistance of the circuit.

This might seem strange, but remember that adding more

paths for the current to take means less total resistance.

similar to how much less resistance there is when you

drink through two straws instead of one.
APPLICATIONS OF SERIES
AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS
House Wiring
Household wiring is one of many applications that use
parallel circuits.(note the different pathways to the
appliances)
you must use a series circuit for switches.

It is an important safety feature to have

switches wired in series because it is
sometimes necessary to turn off the
electricity in part or all of a home.

The switch in this circuit can turn all the bulbs on or off.
Microcircuits (Integrated Circuits) –
transistors are used in small electronic
applications.

Most transistors are made with three layers of

specially treated silicon

Microcircuits are made up of microscopic

transistors and resistors and are built on an
extremely small scale.
 3.1 Energy Forms and
Transformations
Energy (d)  the ability to do work.

Unit for energy is Joules ( J)

This is work

This is not work

FOUR COMMON FORMS OF ENERGY

Energy Form Description

1) Chemical •energy stored in chemicals.
Energy •is a form of potential or stored energy.
•energy is released when chemicals
react.
FOUR COMMON FORMS OF ENERGY

Energy Form Description

2) Electrical •energy of charged particles. (Electrons)
Energy •Electrical energy is transferred when
electrons travel from place to place.
FOUR COMMON FORMS OF ENERGY
Energy Form Description
3) Mechanical •energy possessed by an object
Energy because of its motion or its potential to
move.
•A thrown baseball has mechanical
energy because of its movement and
its potential to fall.
FOUR COMMON FORMS OF ENERGY

Energy Form Description

4) Thermal •The total kinetic energy of all the
Energy particles in a substance.
•The faster a particle moves, the more
kinetic energy it has.
Examine the photo of this shopper, and answer the questions in your
notes
 When the shopper uses muscles to move the grocery
cart, chemical energy in the muscles is converted to
the mechanical energy of the cart.

 Part of the chemical energy in our bodies is constantly

converted to thermal energy in chemical reactions in our
bodies. This thermal energy is then transferred to the
surroundings.

 The wheelchair motor converts electrical energy in the battery

to mechanical energy of movement.

 When the wheelchair is rolling, it has mechanical energy.

 If the wheelchair is pushed by hand, chemical energy in

muscles is converted to mechanical energy of motion.
CHEMICAL ENERGY

Chemical Bond – where the energy is stored

Glucose Your cells use glucose molecules and a series of

chemical reactions to
1) produce thermal energy to keep you warm
2) mechanical energy so that you can move.
 Transformations Involving Chemical
and Electrical Energy
Input Energy Device Output Energy
electrical toaster thermal

chemical flashlight electrical, then

light and thermal

electrical blender mechanical

chemical battery-operated clock electrical,

mechanical and
sound

TRANSFORMATIONS BETWEEN THERMAL
AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY

A thermocouple is a device that can convert

thermal energy into electrical energy.

It consists of two different metals (bimetal) joined

together that conduct heat at slightly different
rates.

When heated, the difference in conduction results

in electricity flowing from one metal to the other.
The basic idea of a thermocouple:
two dissimilar metals (gray curves) are joined
together at their two ends.

If one end of the thermocouple is placed on

something hot (the hot junction) and the other
end on something cold (the cold junction), a
voltage (potential difference) develops.

You can measure it by placing a voltmeter (V)

across the two junctions.
Thermocouples are useful for measuring temperatures in
areas that are difficult to access or too hot for a regular
liquid-filled thermometer.

Ovens and heaters do the opposite. They convert electrical

energy into thermal energy.
3. 2 Energy Transformations Involving
Electrical and Mechanical Energy

Learner Outcome

construct, use, and evaluate devices for

transforming mechanical energy to electrical
energy and electrical energy to mechanical
energy
In 1820, Danish scientist Hans Christian
Oersted conducted an experiment in
which he showed that running an
electric current over a compass, caused
the compass needle to deflect.
A compass needle is a small magnet. If a nearby electrical
current affects it, there must be some relationship
between electricity and magnetism.

Oersted concluded that current flowing through a wire

creates a magnetic field around the wire.

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/ngs/movieLauncher.htm?movie=smil/
elementaryelec_elecandmag.smil
Later, Michael Faraday used the interaction of the
magnetic field of electric current and magnets to
move an object  developing the electric motor.

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/sep30/movieResourceLauncher.htm?movie
=smil/electricfield_first.smil
 ELECTROMAGNETS
are create magnetic fields by running electrical currents
through wires that are wound around materials that can be
magnetized. These magnets can be made very strong by
using large currents, and can be turned on and off, with the
current supply. These allow many metal objects to be easily
released after being picked up.
Motors are formed by an
electromagnet being placed in
external magnetic field. The
ELECTRIC MOTORS
interaction of the 2 electric
fields pushes the coil of wire.
To keep it spinning , the
direction that the current is
traveling through the coil
(and thus the magnetic field
direction) must be switched
every half turn.

When attached to an electrical source a coil of

wire will produce a strong magnetic field

This is accomplished by with a gap, which allows the polarity of the

electromagnet change just before it aligns with the permanent magnet.
Many electric motors use a commutator and brushes
to reverse the flow of electricity through the
electromagnetic coil.

The commutator is a split ring that breaks the flow of

electricity for a moment and then reverses the
connection of the coil .

When the contact is broken, so is the current, and thus

the magnetic field. But the armature continues to
spin because of its momentum.

commutator
 THE STEERING ANALOGY
 The commutator's role in helping the armature to spin
continuously can be hard to understand.

 Turning a steering wheel is similar to turning the

armature in a motor. At some point you have to release
the wheel and start again. This is what the commutator
allows the armature to do.

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/secs/html/e
lectrical_principles_and_technologies/Building
AMotor/index.html
DIRECT AND ALTERNATING
CURRENT
 Some motors run on direct current (DC). It's called
"direct" current because the electricity flows in only one
direction. Many devices such as mp3 players,
computers, cell phones, and calculators also use DC
 The electricity in your household circuits is alternating
current (AC). It's called "alternating" because it flows
back and forth 60 times per second.

It begins by building up a voltage which is

positive on top and negative on the bottom,
and therefore pushes electrons through the
circuit in the direction shown by the solid
arrows.

However, then the source voltage starts to fall

off, and eventually reverse polarity. Now
current will still flow through the circuit, but this
time in the direction shown by the dotted
arrows.
Generating DC and AC
 A DC generator is similar in structure to the DC motor,
but movement of the armature (by wind, water, steam
etc.) through a magnetic field produces the electricity,
rather than electricity causing movement.
The central axle of an AC generator has a loop of wire attached to two slip
rings.

The current is switched as the loops move up and down alternatively through
the magnetic field. The slip rings conduct the alternating current to the circuit
through the brushes (the brush and ring assembly allows the whole loop to
spin freely). In large AC generators many loops of wire are wrapped around
an iron core increase the voltage of the current generated.
Transformers
are used to change the amount of voltage with
hardly any energy loss.

Voltage change is necessary because the most

efficient way to transmit current over long
distances is at high voltage and then reduced
when it reaches its destination, where it will
be used.
 A step-up transformer increases voltage by
increasing the number of turns in the coil.
 a step-down transformer reduces voltage by
decreasing the number of turns in the coil.
 Check and Reflect Answers
1. What is meant by the term "polarity"?

Polarity refers to the condition of having north and

south ends (or opposing “poles”), such as in a
permanent magnet.

2. Use words and a drawing to describe how to

construct a simple electromagnet.

An electromagnet can be constructed by wrapping a

current-carrying wire into a coil, preferably around
an iron core. Drawings should reflect a coil-type
arrangement of the current-carrying wire.
3. Explain the function of the permanent magnets in an electric
motor.

The permanent magnets provide the attractive/repulsive

force that makes the armature turn.

4. Describe Faraday's contributions to the development of the

motor and the generator.

Faraday constructed a device that used electromagnetic

forces to cause an object to revolve around a magnet.
This eventually led to the development of the electric
motor. He also demonstrated that electrical current is
created in a wire that moves through a magnetic field. This
led to the development of the modern generator.
5. A generator stores electric current. Explain why you
agree or disagree with this statement.

A generator does not store electric current, it

creates current when a wire is moved through a
magnetic field.

6. How are electricity and magnetism related?

Electrical current flowing through a wire creates a

magnetic field around the wire. Passing a wire
through a magnetic field will induce a current in
the wire
7. The permanent magnets of a motor are replaced with
more powerful ones. What effect do you think this would
have on motor rotation? Explain.

With stronger magnets, the attractive/repulsive

forces on the spinning armature would increase,
which would cause the armature to spin faster.

A magnet that is twice as strong will not result in

twice the speed, except possibly in the case of
improvised motors that barely turn over
8. Suppose a classmate constructed an electric motor with
a solid commutator. That is, the commutator has no split.
This solid commutator is in constant contact with the motor
brushes. Would this motor design work? Explain why or
why not.

This motor design would not work. When the source of

electricity was connected, the motor might make a half-turn
or less as the like poles of the permanent magnets and
commutator push away from one another.

But once the armature is in a position where opposite

magnetic poles are adjacent (north- south next to each
other), the armature would be “locked” in a position of
attraction and be unable to move. This is why commutators
are a split ring, so that the current to the electromagnetic
armature can be broken momentarily, allowing the armature
to spin freely
3.3 Measuring Energy Input
and Output.
Power is the rate at which a device converts
energy.

The unit of power is the watt (W), which is

equal to 1 joule per second.
For an electrical device the power = the current
multiplied by the voltage.
P= I V
I=?
V=? P

I V
 Energy
The power rating of a device can be used to determine the
amount of energy the device uses.

You can find the amount of energy converted by multiplying

power by the length of time the device operates.

E = P × t.

**Recall that energy is measured in joules (watts × seconds).

 Most small appliances in your home have a power rating
of 1500 W or less.

 An electric stove might have a power rating of 7000 W

 while the rating for a calculator could be only 0.4 mW.

Kilowatt Hours
is used as a unit for energy. The energy
calculation is the same, except that hours are
substituted for seconds and kilowatts (kW)
are substituted for watts.

Electricity meters measure the energy used in

kilowatt hours and then bills you for every
kilowatt hour used.
Energy Dissipation
Energy is neither created nor destroyed. It
doesn't appear and then disappear, but
transformed from one form to another. This is
known as the Law of Conservation of
Energy.

No device is able to be 100% efficient in

transforming energy.
Most often, the energy is lost, or dissipated as
heat

Mechanical systems also dissipate energy to

their surroundings, but not as obvious as the
heat loss. Much of the dissipated energy is
sound.

Most of the energy

transformed in a
light bulb is wasted
as heat. (5% is light
energy, while 95% is
heat)
The efficiency of a device is the ratio of the
useful energy that comes out of a device to
the total energy that went in.
The more input energy converted to output
energy, the more efficient the device is.

% Efficiency = Joules of useful output x 100%

Joules of input energy

% Efficiency =
5J x 100% = 5%
100J
• Florescent lights are about 4x more efficient than
incandescent lights.

• Arc-discharge lights (streetlights) are even more

efficient.

• Hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles are more efficient

than gas-powered vehicles.
Topic 3.4
Devices, which have an energy-efficient
design, are an important consideration for
the consumer, because these devices use
less electricity.

Energy costs money and it also affects the

environment, so reducing energy
consumption is a good practice.
Electric heater come very close to being 100% efficient, but
devices, which convert electricity to other forms, can
never be 100% efficient.

Why ?  Some energy is lost, or dissipated in a form that

is not useful output.
Friction causes thermal energy to be lost, or dissipated in
many devices.

Friction is created reducing the

efficiency of the engine
Increasing the efficiency of a device depends on its
purpose. The easiest way to increase efficiency in many
devices is to reduce friction, as much as possible.

Lubricants and component design can minimize the friction

in these engines Oil

An electric motor has few

moving parts and much
less friction than
a combustion engine.
Insulating a device from heat loss is also
another practical way to increase efficiency.
Using capacitors in electrical circuits is
also another way to increase efficiency...
a capacitor is a little like a battery. Although
they work in completely different ways,
capacitors and batteries both store electrical
energy.
Device Input Energy Useful Output Energy Percentage Efficiency

Gasoline-powered
sport utility vehicle
675 kJ 81 kJ 12%

Gasoline-electric
hybrid vehicle 675 kJ 195 kJ 29%

Mid-efficiency natural-
gas furnace
110 MJ 85 MJ 77%

Electric baseboard
heater 9.5 kJ 9.5 kJ 100%
Alkaline dry cell 84.52 kJ 74.38 kJ 88%
Fluorescent light 12.5 kJ 2.75 kJ 22%
Incandescent light 780 J 31 J 4.0%
 Electrical Device Power Consumption Time Used in One Energy Consumed in One
Rating Month Month

Light Bulbs In Basement 60 Watts 50 Hours

3000 W·h

Light Bulbs In Basement 40 Watts 50 Hours

2000 W·h

Clock radio Voltage – 110 V 720 Hours

Current – 10 A
792000 W·h

Or 792KW·h

Microwave Oven 1000 Watts 100 Hours

100 000W·h
100KW·h
2)What is the difference between energy and power?

Energy is a quantity, measured in joules. Power is the

rate at which energy is used, measured in joules per
second (watts).

3)What energy conversions take place in an electric motor?

A motor converts electrical energy into mechanical

energy. (Some thermal energy and sound energy are
also produced.)
4)What is the law of conservation of energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only

transformed or transferred.

5)A vehicle is only 15% efficient. What happened to the

other 85%?

The other 85% was lost primarily as waste heat

because of friction in the engine and other parts of the
car, and with the road. Energy is also wasted in other
forms such as sound.
6)Compare the energy efficiency of incandescent and
fluorescent bulbs.

Incandescent bulbs have an efficiency of about 5%.

Fluorescent bulbs can be four times more efficient than
incandescent, about 20%.

7)You bake a potato in a 1200-W toaster oven for 25 min.

How many joules of electricity did the toaster oven use?
How many kilowatt hours did it use?

E = Pt, so in this case E = (1200W)(1500s) = 1 800 000 J,

or (1.2kW)(.417h) = 0.5 kW•h.
8)A colour TV draws 1.5 A when connected to a 120-V
outlet. What is the power rating of the TV set?

P = IV, so in this case P = (1.5 A)(120 V) = 180 W.

9)A diesel truck produces 47.5 kJ of useful output energy

from 125 kJ of diesel fuel. What is the truck's efficiency?

47.5 kJ x 100% = 38%

125 kJ
10) A small tractor is 12% efficient at producing useful
output from input fuel. How many joules of input fuel energy
will this tractor need to produce 1000 J of useful output?

This problem can be done as a ratio.

12% = 1000
x

Solving for X = 8333 J

Check and reflect 3.4
1. Give two reasons for reducing energy waste.

Using less energy means saving money because you

don’t have to buy as much energy. Also, less energy
used means less has to be generated by means that
harm the environment.

2. What is the purpose of the EnerGuide label on

appliances?

The EnerGuide label tells the consumer how much

energy an appliance will use in a month of average use.
3. How can a more efficient appliance benefit the
environment?

More efficient appliances will use less energy to do the

same job. This means not as much energy needs to be
produced, and if this energy is produced by a polluting
source such as fossil fuels, that means less overall
pollution.

4. Why are electric motors more efficient than combustion

engines?

Electric motors have fewer moving parts and less

friction.
5. What causes most energy loss in devices designed to
produce mechanical energy? What can be done to avoid it?

Friction is the main cause of energy loss in devices. A

minimum of moving parts with smooth surfaces and
lubrication will minimize friction.

6. Is it always a good idea to discard low-efficiency devices?

Explain your answer.

Not necessarily. It takes energy to create new devices. The

energy savings may never approach the amount of energy
needed to make the new device. If energy savings are
small from a device upgrade, then the cost of the upgrade
may never be recovered.
7. Explain how you might change the design of a typical
gasoline-powered lawn mower to increase its efficiency.

Ensure the engine is properly lubricated with oil.

Make sure the blade is sharp and moving parts are

lubricated so that the lawnmower can cut effectively,
decreasing the time necessary to do the job.
Section review
1. You overhear someone say, "An electric heater does the opposite of a
thermocouple." Is this an accurate statement? Explain your answer.

This is basically a true statement. An electric heater converts electricity into

thermal energy, while a thermocouple does the opposite, converting thermal
energy into electricity

2. What is the function of the brushes in an electric motor?

Brushes make contact with the spinning commutator by brushing against it.
In this way, electricity is delivered to the coil of the armature by the
commutator

3. What is the function of the permanent magnets in an electric motor?

The permanent magnets provide attractive/repulsive forces that turn the
electromagnetic coil attached to the motor’s armature.
4. What energy transformations take place in the following devices:

a dishwasher,
electrical energy is converted to mechanical, thermal and some
sound energy

a DVD player,
electrical energy to mechanical energy (to spin the DVD) and light
energy (to operate the laser)

a stereo speaker,
electrical energy to sound or electrical energy to mechanical
energy (the sound is actually generated by mechanical
movements of the speaker)

a hot-glue gun?
electrical energy to thermal energy
5. A computer plugged into a 120-V outlet draws 3.0 A of
current. How much power is the computer using?

P = IV, so (120 V)(3.0 A) = 360 W

6. A chemical laser in a research laboratory can fire for 10 s

with a power of up to 10 MW. What is the maximum energy
this laser would use when it fires?

E = Pt, (10 000 000 W)(10 s) = 100 000 000 J or 100 MJ

7. A 330-W hot plate produces 38 kJ of thermal energy
while operating for 2 min. What is the efficiency of this
device?

Einput = Pt (330 W)(2 min x 60 s/min) = 39 600 J

Output/Input x 100 = efficiency, so in this case,

38 000 J/39 600 J = 96%
4.0 The use of electrical energy
affects society and the environment
4.1 Electrical Energy Sources and Alternatives

Worldwide, about 65% of all electric power is generated by

burning oil, coal, or natural gas.

These fuels are often called fossil fuels because they

formed from the decomposition of prehistoric plants and
animals.

Most of the fossil fuel used in power plants is coal.

Ways we Produce Electricity
1) USING HEAT TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY
A) Coal
 The coal is powdered, then blown into a combustion chamber and
burned to release heat.
 heat boils water and superheats the resulting steam to a high
temperature and pressure.
 high-pressure steam drives a large turbine.

 turbine shaft rotates large electromagnetic coils in the generator to

produce electricity.
 Oil or natural gas can be burned in the combustion chamber instead
of coal.
B) nuclear reactors
 used extensively to produce steam in power plants.

 atoms of a heavy element, usually uranium, are split in a

chain reaction  known as nuclear fission releases an
enormous amount of energy.
 Energy heats up steam and turn turbines much like coal

 Draw back is the formation of “heavy water” radioactive

water that must be stored
C) Heat from Earth’s core can also be used to generate
electricity.
This is called geothermal energy. The steam is channeled
through pipes and used to drive turbines.
In some applications, water is injected back into the
ground to take full advantage of the hot geothermal
energy source.
D) biomass.
 When a particular type of garbage  biodegrades
produces combustible gases that can be collected and
used as fuel for steam-driven generators.

 Yard clippings, dead trees, unused crops, and food-

based garbage can also be burned to produce steam.
E) cogeneration
 Some industrial processes, such as glass manufacturing,
use very high temperature furnaces.
 The waste heat from the manufacturing process can be
used to produce steam.
 This steam can then be used to drive a turbine to
generate electricity.
 no new fuel is needed to produce the electricity. Making
double use of energy.
2) USING WATER POWER TO
GENERATE ELECTRICITY
 20% of the world’s electricity is generated by hydro-
electric power plants. These plants capture the energy of
falling water.
 we can use the flow from a waterfall i.e. Niagara Falls
 most use a dam built across a river to store water in a
reservoir.
 Water is directed through a channel called a penstock to
a large paddle-covered turbine rushing water spins the
turbine, which is connected to a generator in the same
way as a steam-driven turbine.
3) ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

A) Tides
Moving water from tides can
also power turbines that run
generators.
Tidal power stations operate
rather simply. When the tide
comes in, the water is
trapped in a reservoir and
then let out past turbines.
B) Wind
 Wind energy can be harnessed to turn a shaft. A number
of wind-powered generators can be connected together
in “wind farms” to produce larger amounts of electrical
energy.
C) Sunlight
 In 1839, French scientist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel
had discovered the photovoltaic effect and invented the
first solar cell.
 Unfortunately, the voltage from his invention was too
small to be useful as a source of power.
 In the 1950s, scientists began using silicon to make solar
cells. Silicon-based solar cells are much more efficient at
producing current.
A Protective cover glass
B Antireflective coating to let light in and trap it
C Metal contact grid to collect electrons for circuit
D Silicon layer to release electrons
E Silicon layer to absorb electrons
F Metal contact grid to collect electrons from circuit
D) Batteries
 While Batteries are a
convenient source of
electricity for portable
devices are too bulky and
expensive for others.
 Recently research has been
done to develop fuel cells.
 A fuel cell generates electricity
directly from a chemical
reaction with a fuel such as
hydrogen.
RENEWABLE AND NONRENEWABLE
ENERGY
nonrenewable resource—it cannot be replaced as it is used
up. Coal, crude oil (petroleum), and natural gas

renewable resources can be renewed or replenished

naturally in relatively short periods of time. Wind energy,
tidal energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and
biomass

Tree harvesting can also be renewed, but it takes a much

longer period of time to renew this resource.
4.2 Electricity and the Environment

Every method of generating electricity affects the

environment

AIR POLLUTION
 The burning of fossil fuels such as coal leaves behind
a powdery ash.
 often referred to as fly ash, contains small amounts of
mercury, a poisonous metal that can damage the
nervous system.
 other pollutants released into the air when coal is
burned:

 sulfur dioxide (SO2( g) )  acid rain and contributes

to air pollution

 nitrogen oxides (NOx( g) )  Nitrogen oxides are major

causes of air pollution.

 carbon dioxide (CO2( g) )  has been identified as a

cause of global warming,
 coal used in power plants comes from
strip mines.
 Strip-mining techniques are used
when deposits are near the surface 
large machines clear the soil
 This type of mining removes all plants
and animals from large areas of land.
 Although land can be reclaimed, the
original natural environment usually is
not fully restored.
 Oil and gas wells can contain poisonous gases
contaminate the surrounding soil

 electricity generation steam turbines release a great

deal of warm water into nearby lakes and rivers. 
resulting increase in water temperature alters the local
freshwater ecology and can sometimes kill fish.

 mines and refineries that produce fuel for nuclear

reactors can also damage the environment.  The
reactors create radioactive wastes that remain
dangerous for thousands of years.
 Hydro-electric plants produce no pollutants, but their
dams flood many hectares of land and alter the
ecosystems of rivers.

 Wind farms and solar cell arrays require large tracts of

land to generate practical amounts of energy  also the
process for making solar cells creates some chemical
pollution.
 The steam from geothermal plants produces a small
amount of pollution.

 Generators using tidal or wave energy may disrupt the

habitat for fish and other marine life.

 the “green” sources of energy—especially wind, tide, and

geothermal—harm the environment much less than
fossil fuels do.
 CONSERVING ENERGY AND
NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES

 By conserving energy  using energy efficient products 

less demand for electricity  power plants do not have run at
full capacity  less pollution  healthier environment.

 We try to work towards sustainability (d) means using

resources at a rate that can be maintained indefinitely.
 Efficient Energy
production of Or efficient
electricity products

Healthy
environment
Less
demand for
power

Less
Less generation
pollution of power
required
4.3 Electrical Technology and Society

Give It a Try—Number Race

Copy the following numbers and perform the calculations

according to the instructions in your notes
1) 271

2) 384

3) 623

4) 582

5) 491

6) 869

7) 780
BENEFITS OF ELECTRICAL
TECHNOLOGIES

 electrical technologies have improved our standard of

living. Most electrical devices and inventions came out of
a desire for speed, convenience, efficiency.

 many electronic devices help us to complete a variety of

tasks more quickly and efficiently, and give us more time
for other activities.
Drawbacks of Electrical Technologies

 More technology means more resources are needed to

manufacture and operate them, making sustainability
more difficult to achieve.

 As technology advances obsolete devices become

waste, adding to our problems of waste disposal.

 Some technologies are too expensive for some countries

to adopt, leading to isolation and exclusion.
Computers and Information
 Computers use binary numbers (0, 1) to store and
transmit data  correspond to the on and off states of
the millions of tiny transistors in the microcircuits.

 this method of storing and transmitting information is

often referred to as a digital technology
Electricity and Computers

 Electrical current is used in one way or another in storing

or transmitting information.

 For example, a compact disc (CD) player scans a CD

with a laser. Tiny pits stamped into the surface of the
shiny disc cause the laser light to be reflected in pulses.

 A photodetector converts the light pulses into electrical

pulses. This produces a digital signal with exactly the
same sequence of ones and zeroes as the master
recording used to make the CD.
hard drive
 uses electrical pulses to record and transmit information,
by using an aluminum or glass disk, with a thin layer of
magnetic material that spins at 300km/h.
 electrical pulses are sent to an arm with read and write
heads, which are magnetic coils that magnetize spots on
the spinning disk.

Reading
 magnetic spots induce current in the electromagnetic
coil, reproducing 0's and 1's in the original signal and are
sent to the computer's processor.
 Writing - electrical signals are responded to from the
computer's processor.
Electrical Transmission of Information Electrical signals are sent
from computer to computer throughout the world, making the
storage and transmission of information compact, easy and
relatively cheap.
Concerns of electrical transmission

 Access - Some countries are too poor to establish the

infrastructure necessary to connect computers and
transmit information.,

 Privacy - Data transmission is not always secure..

“Hackers” attempt to break into networks either to steal
information or to cause damage for the sake of
challenge, or for no reason at all.
 Safety- Can you trust all the information that you find
over the Internet? With huge volumes of information
stored worldwide, some of it will be wrong or misleading.
Most people have good intentions, but some will post
“facts” that they have not checked properly. Others may
deliberately send out wrong information.

 “information overload.” With greater and greater capacity

to store information, it becomes increasingly more
difficult to find the particular piece of information that you
need.