PHYSICS FORM THREE
CHAPTER ONE
LINEAR MOTION
Introduction
Study of motion is divided into two;
In kinematics forces causing motion are disregarded while dynamics deals with motion of objects and the forces causing them.
Distance moved by a body in a specified direction is called displacement. It is denoted by letter‘s’ and has both magnitude and direction. Distance is the movement from one point to another. The Si unit for displacement is the metre (m).
This is the distance covered per unit time.
Speed= distance covered/ time taken. Distance is a scalar quantity since it has magnitude only. The SI unit for speed is metres per second(m/s or ms-1)
Average speed= total distance covered/total time taken
Other units for speed used are Km/h.
Examples
Solution
Total distance covered=10+90=100m
Total time taken=4+10+6=20 seconds
Therefore average speed=100/20=5m/s
Solution
Distance covered=speed*time
=180*1000/60*60=50m/s
=50*30
=1,500m
Solution
Speed:360km/h=360*1000/60*60=100m/s
Time=distance/speed
3000*1000/100
=30,000 seconds.
This is the change of displacement per unit time. It is a vector quantity.
Velocity=change in displacement/total time taken
The SI units for velocity are m/s
Examples
Solution
=800+400/100+80
=1200/180
=6.67m/s
=800-400/180
=400/180
=2.22 m/s due North
= (800/100)-(400-80)
=8-5
=3m/s due North
Solution
Initial velocity(u)=-10m/s
Final velocity (v) = 10m/s
Therefore change in velocity= v-u
=10- (-10)
=20m/s
This is the change of velocity per unit time. It is a vector quantity symbolized by ‘a’.
Acceleration ‘a’=change in velocity/time taken= v-u/t
The SI units for acceleration are m/s2
Examples
Solution
Initial velocity= 72 km/h=20m/s
Final velocity= 144 km/h=40m/s
Therefore ‘a’ =v-u/t
= 40-20/10
2m/s2
Solution
Initial velocity=180km/h=50m/s
Final velocity= 0 m/s
A = v-u/t=0-50/20
= -2.5 m/s2
Hence retardation is 2.5 m/s2
Motion graphs
Distance-time graphs
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| Stationary body |
b)
| A body moving with uniform speed |
c)
| A body moving with variable speed |
Area under velocity-time graph
Consider a body with uniform or constant acceleration for time‘t’ seconds;
Distance travelled= average velocity*t
=(0+v/2)*t
=1/2vt
This is equivalent to the area under the graph. The area under velocity-time graph gives the distance covered by the body under‘t’ seconds.
Example
A car starts from rest and attains a velocity of 72km/h in 10 seconds. It travels at this velocity for 5 seconds and then decelerates to stop after another 6 seconds. Draw a velocity-time graph for this motion. From the graph;
Solution
=(1/2×10×20)+(1/2×6×20)+(5×20)
=100+60+100
=260m
Also the area of the trapezium gives the same result.
Stage A gradient= 20-0/ 10-0 = 2 m/s2
Stage b gradient= 20-20/15-10 =0 m/s2
Stage c gradient= 0-20/21-15 =-3.33 m/s2
Using a ticker-timer to measure speed, velocity and acceleration.
It will be noted that the dots pulled at different velocities will be as follows;
Most ticker-timers operate at a frequency of 50Hzi.e. 50 cycles per second hence they make 50 dots per second. Time interval between two consecutive dots is given as,
1/50 seconds= 0.02 seconds. This time is called a tick.
The distance is measured in ten-tick intervals hence time becomes 10×0.02= 0.2 seconds.
Examples
| C |
| B |
| A |
| · |
| · |
| · |
Solution
Distance between two consecutive dots= 5cm
Frequency of the ticker-timer=50Hz
Time taken between two consecutive dots=1/50=0.02 seconds
Therefore, velocity of tape=5/0.02= 250 cm/s
Solution
Time between successive dots=1/100=0.01 seconds
Initial velocity (u) 0.5/0.01 50 cm/s
Final velocity (v) 2.5/0.01= 250 cm/s
Time taken= 4 ×0.01 = 0.04 seconds
Therefore, acceleration= v-u/t= 250-50/0.04=5,000 cm/s2
Equations of linear motion
The following equations are applied for uniformly accelerated motion;
v = u + at
s = ut + ½ at2
v2= u2 +2as
Examples
Solution
V2 = u2 +2as
= (60) +2×10×320
=3600+6400
= 10,000
Therefore v= (10,000)1/2
v= 100m/s
Solution
v = u+at
0= 30-3t
30=3t
t= 30 seconds.
Solution
s=ut+ ½ at2
=0×10+ ½ ×10×102
= 1000/2=500m
Motion under gravity.
The equations used for constant acceleration can be used to become,
v =u+gt
s =ut + ½ gt2
v2= u+2gs
Since the body goes against force of gravity then the following equations hold
v =u-gt ……………1
s =ut- ½ gt2 ……2
v2= u-2gs …………3
N.B time taken to reach maximum height is given by the following
t=u/g since v=0 (using equation 1)
Time of flight
The time taken by the projectile is the timetaken to fall back to its point ofprojection. Using eq. 2 then, displacement =0
0= ut- ½ gt2
0=2ut-gt2
t(2u-gt)=0
Hence, t=0 or t= 2u/g
t=o corresponds to the start of projection
t=2u/gcorresponds to the time of flight
The time of flight is twice the time taken to attain maximum height.
Maximum height reached.
Using equation 3 maximum height, Hmax is attained when v=0 (final velocity). Hence
v2= u2-2gs;- 0=u2-2gHmax, therefore
2gHmax=u2
Hmax=u2/2g
Velocity to return to point of projection.
At the instance of returning to the original point, total displacement equals to zero.
v2 =u2-2gs hence v2= u2
Thereforev=u or v=±u
Example
A stone is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 30m/s from the ground. Calculate,
Solution
T=u/g=30/10=3 seconds
T=2t= 2×3=6 seconds
Or T=2u/g=2×30/10=6 seconds.
Hmax= u2/2g= 30×30/2×10= 45m
v2= u2-2gs, but s=0,
Hence v2=u2
Thereforev=(30×30)1/2=30m/s
The path followed by a body (projectile) is called trajectory. The maximum horizontal distance covered by the projectile is called range.
The horizontal displacement ‘R’ at a time‘t’ is given by s=ut+1/2at2
Taking u=u and a=0 hence R=ut, is the horizontal displacement and h=1/2gt2 is the vertical displacement.
NOTE
The time of flight is the same as the time of free fall.
Example
A ball is thrown from the top of a cliff 20m high with a horizontal velocity of 10m/s. Calculate,
Solution
20= ½ ×10×t2
40=10t2
t2=40/10=4
t=2 seconds
=10×2
=20m
= 2×10=20m/s
CHAPTER TWO
REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Introduction
Refraction is the change of direction of light rays as they pass at an angle from one medium to another of different optical densities.
Exp. To investigate the path of light through rectangular glass block.
Apparatus: – soft-board, white sheet of paper, drawing pins (optical), rectangular glass block.
Procedure
Explanation of refraction.
Light travels at a velocity of 3.0×108in a vacuum. Light travels with different velocities in different media. When a ray of light travels from an optically less dense media to more dense media, it is refracted towards the normal. The glass block experiment gives rise to a very important law known as the law of reversibility which states that “if a ray of light is reversed, it always travels along its original path”. If the glass block is parallel-sided, the emergent ray will be parallel to the incident ray but displaced laterally as shown
‘e’ is called the angle of emergence. The direction of the light is not altered but displaced sideways. This displacement is called lateral displacement and is denoted by‘d’. Therefore
XY= t/Cos r YZ= Sin (i-r) ×xy
So, lateral displacement, d = t Sin (i-r)/Cos r
Laws of refraction
Sin i/sin r = constant (k)
Refractive index
Refractive index (n) is the constant of proportionality in Snell’s law; hence
Sin i/ sin r = n
Therefore sin i/sin r=n=1/sin r/sin i
Examples
Solution
gna= 1/ang = 1/1.5=0.67
Solution
Angle of incidence (i) = 900-600=300
1.5=sin 30o/sin r, sin r =sin 300/ 1.5=0.5/1.5
Sin r=0.3333, sin-10.3333= 19.50
R= 19.50
Refractive index in terms of velocity.
Refractive index can be given in terms of velocity by the use of the following equation;
1n2 = velocity of light in medium 1/velocity of light in medium 2
When a ray of light is travelling from vacuum to a medium the refractive index is referred to as absolute refractive index of the medium denoted by ‘n’
Refractive index of a material ‘n’=velocity of light in a vacuum/velocity of light in material ‘n’
The absolute refractive indices of some common materials is given below
| Material | Refractive index | |
| 1 | Air (ATP) | 1.00028 |
| 2 | Ice | 1.31 |
| 3 | Water | 1.33 |
| 4 | Ethanol | 1.36 |
| 5 | Kerosene | 1.44 |
| 6 | Glycerol | 1.47 |
| 7 | Perspex | 1.49 |
| 8 | Glass (crown) | 1.55 |
| 9 | Glass (flint) | 1.65 |
| 10 | Ruby | 1.76 |
| 11 | Diamond | 2.72 |
Examples
Solution
Since anw sin θw=ang sing
4/3 sin 300= 3/2 sin r
3/2 sin r= 4/3× 0.5
Sin r =4/6×2/3=4/9= 0.4444
r = 26.40
Solution
wng= gna×ang, but wna = 1/ anw=3/4
wng=3/4×3/2=9/8= 1.13
Real and apparent depth
Consider the following diagram
The depth of the water OM is the real depth, and the distance IM is known as the apparent depth. OI is the distance through which the coin has been displaced and is known as the vertical displacement. The relationship between refractive index and the apparent depth is given by;
Refractive index of a material=real depth/apparent depth
NB
This is true only if the object is viewed normally.
Example
A glass block of thickness 12 cm is placed on a mark drawn on a plain paper. The mark is viewed normally through the glass. Calculate the apparent depth of the mark and hence the vertical displacement. (Refractive index of glass =3/2)
Solution
ang= real depth/apparent depth
apparent depth= real depth/ ang=(12×2)/3= 8 cm
vertical displacement= 12-8=4 cm
Applications of refractive index
Total internal reflection
This occurs when light travels from a denser optical medium to a less dense medium. The refracted ray moves away from the normal until a critical angle is reached usually 900 where the refracted ray is parallel to the boundary between the two media. If this critical angle is exceeded total internal reflection occurs and at this point no refraction occurs but the ray is reflected internally within the denser medium.
Relationship between the critical angle and refractive index.
Consider the following diagram
From Snell’s law
gnw = sin C/sin 900,but ang = 1/gna since sin 900 = 1
Thereforeang= 1/sin C, hence sin C=1/n or n=1/sin C
Example
Calculate the critical angle of diamond given that its refractive index is 2.42
Solution
Sin C= 1/n=1/ 2.42= 0.4132= 24.40
Effects of total internal reflection
Applications of total internal reflection
CHAPTER THREE
NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION
Newton’s first law (law of inertia)
This law states that “A body continues in its state of rest or uniform motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it”. The mass of a body is a measure of its inertia. Inertia is the property that keeps an object in its state of motion and resists any efforts to change it.
Newton’s second law (law of momentum)
Momentum of a body is defined as the product of its mass and its velocity.
Momentum ‘p’=mv. The SI unit for momentum is kgm/s or Ns. The Newton’s second law states that “The rate of change of momentum of a body is proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction in which the force acts”
Change in momentum= mv-mu
Rate of change of momentum= mv-mu/∆t
Generally the second law gives rise to the equation of force F=ma
Hence F=mv-mu/∆t and F∆t=mv-mu
The quantity F∆t is called impulse and is equal to the change of momentum of the body. The SI unit for impulse is Ns.
Examples
Solution
Momentum=mv=72km/h=(20m/s)×3×103 kg
=6.0×104kgm/s
Solution
Mass of the truck = (1.0×105)/10=6.0×104
Using F=ma
=1.5×10×104
=1.5×104 N
Solution
Since the car comes to rest, v=0, a=(v-u)/t =(0-45)/9=-5m/s (retardation)
F=ma =(1200×-5) N =-6,000 N (braking force)
Solution
Impulse = Ft=1,000×3= 3,000 Ns
Let v be the velocity after 3 seconds. Since the truck was initially at rest then u=0.
Change in momentum=mv-mu
= (2,000×v) – (2,000×0)
=2,000 v
But impulse=change in momentum
2,000 v = 3,000
v = 3/2=1.5 m/s.
Weight of a body in a lift or elevator
When a body is in a lift at rest then the weight
W=mg
When the lift moves upwards with acceleration ‘a’ then the weight becomes
W = m (a+g)
If the lift moves downwards with acceleration ‘a’ then the weight becomes
W = m (g-a)
Example
A girl of mass stands inside a lift which is accelerated upwards at a rate of 2 m/s2. Determine the reaction of the lift at the girls’ feet.
Solution
Let the reaction at the girls’ feet be ‘R’ and the weight ‘W’
The resultant force F= R-W
= (R-500) N
Using F = ma, then R-500= 50×2, R= 100+500 = 600 N.
Newton’s third law (law of interaction)
This law states that “For every action or force there is an equal and opposite force or reaction”
Example
A girl of mass 50 Kg stands on roller skates near a wall. She pushes herself against the wall with a force of 30N. If the ground is horizontal and the friction on the roller skates is negligible, determine her acceleration from the wall.
Solution
Action = reaction = 30 N
Force of acceleration from the wall = 30 N
F = ma
a = F/m = 30/50 = 0.6 m/s2
Linear collisions
Linear collision occurs when two bodies collide head-on and move along the same straight line. There are two types of collisions;
Collisions bring about a law derived from both Newton’s third law and conservation of momentum. This law is known as the law of conservation of linear momentum which states that “when no outside forces act on a system of moving objects, the total momentum of the system stays constant”.
Examples
Solution
Initial momentum of the bullet and the gun is zero since they are at rest.
Momentum of the bullet after firing = (0.005×350) = 1.75 kgm/s
But momentum before firing = momentum after firing hence
0 = 1.75 + 0.5 v where ‘v’ = recoil velocity
0.5 v = -1.75
v =-1.75/0.5 = – 3.5 m/s (recoil velocity)
Solution
Change in momentum = ∆P = mv – mu= Ft
= 12×10 = 12 Ns
Solution
Momentum before collision = momentum after collision
(1500×20) + (900×0) = (1500 +900)v
30,000 = 2,400v
v = 30,000/2,400 = 12.5 m/s (common velocity)
Distance = velocity × time
= 12.5×20
= 250m
= 1500 (20-12.5) for minibus or
=900 (12.5 – 0) for the car
= 11,250 Ns
Impulse force F = impulse/time = 11,250/2 = 5,625 N
K.E after collision = ½ × 2400 × 12.52 = 1.875×105 J
Therefore, change in K.E =(3.00 – 1.875) × 105 = 1.25× 105 J
Some of the applications of the law of conservation of momentum
Solid friction
Friction is a force which opposes or tends to oppose the relative motion of two surfaces in contact with each other.
Measuring frictional forces
We can relate weight of bodies in contact and the force between them. This relationship is called coefficient of friction. Coefficient of friction is defined as the ratio of the force needed to overcome friction Ff to the perpendicular force between the surfaces Fn. Hence
µ = Ff/ Fn
Examples
Solution
Ff = µFn
Fn= weight = 50×10 = 500 N
Ff = 0.30 × 500 = 150 N
Solution
Since motion is uniform, the applied force is equal to the frictional force
Fn = normal reaction = weight = 20 ×10 = 200 N
Therefore, µ =Ff/ Fn = 50/ 200 = 0.25.
Laws of friction
It is difficult to perform experiments involving friction and thus the following statements should therefore be taken merely as approximate descriptions: –
Applications of friction
Methods of reducing friction
Example
A wooden box of mass 30 kg rests on a rough floor. The coefficient of friction between the floor and the box is 0.6. Calculate
Solution
= 0.6×30×10 = 180 N
From F =ma, then 20 = 30 a
a = 20 / 30 = 0.67 m/s2
Viscosity
This is the internal friction of a fluid. Viscosity of a liquid decreases as temperature increases. When a body is released in a viscous fluid it accelerates at first then soon attains a steady velocity called terminal velocity. Terminal velocity is attained when F + U = mg where F is viscous force, U is upthrust and mg is weight.
CHAPTER FOUR
ENERGY, WORK, POWER AND MACHINES
Energy
This is the ability to do work.
Forms of energy.
Transformation and conservation of energy
Any device that facilitates energy transformations is called transducer. Energy can be transformed from one form to another i.e. mechanical – electrical – heat energy. The law of conservation of energy states that “energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another”.
Work
Work is done when a force acts on a body and the body moves in the direction of the force.
Work done = force × distance moved by object
W = F × d
Work is measured in Nm. 1 Nm = 1 Joule (J)
Examples
Solution
Work done = force × distance
= (15× 10) × 2 = 300 Nm or 300 J
Solution
Work done = force × distance
= (50× 10) × (12 ×30) ÷ 100 = 500 × 3.6 = 1,800 J
Solution
A force of 7.5 produces an extension of 5.0 cm.
Hence 8.0 cm = (7.5 ×8)/ 5 = 12.0 N
Work done = ½ × force × extension
= ½ × 12.0 × 0.08 = 0.48 J
Solution
But 72 km/h = 20m/s
a = 0 -20/8 = – 2.5 m/s
Retardation = 2.5 m/s
Braking force F = 1,250 × 2.5
= 3,125 N
= ½ mv2 – ½ mu2
= ½ × 1250 × 02 – ½ × 1250 × 202
= – 2.5 × 105 J
Solution
Work = ½ ks2
= ½ × 100 × 0.22
= 2 J
Power
Poweris the time rate of doing work or the rate of energy conversion.
Power (P) = work done / time
P = W / t
The SI unit for power is the watt (W) or joules per second (J/s).
Examples
Solution
Power = work done / time = (force × distance) / time
= (500 ×3) / 4 = 375 W
Solution
Power = F v
= 2,000 × 12
= 24,000 W = 24 kW.
Machines
A machine is any device that uses a force applied at one point to overcome a force at another point. Force applied is called the effort while the resisting force overcome is called load. Machines makes work easier or convenient to be done. Three quantities dealing with machines are;-
M.A = load (L) / effort (E)
V.R = distance moved by effort/ distance moved by the load
Efficiency = (work output/work input) × 100
= (M.A / V.R) × 100
= (work done on load / work done on effort) × 100
Examples
Solution
Efficiency = (M.A / V.R) × 100 M.A = load/effort =60/20 = 3
V.R =DE/ DL = 8/2 = 4
Efficiency = ¾ × 100 = 75%
Some simple machines
M.A = Load/ Effort
V.R = no. of pulleys/ no. of strings supporting the load
Example
A block and tackle system has 3 pulleys in the upper fixed block and two in the lower moveable block. What load can be lifted by an effort of 200 N if the efficiency of the machine is 60%?
Solution
V.R = total number of pulleys = 5
Efficiency = (M.A /V.R) × 100 = 60%
0.6 = M.A/ 5 =3, but M.A = Load/Effort
Therefore, load = 3 ×200 = 600 N
V.R = R/r and M.A = R/r
Example
A wheel and axle is used to raise a load of 280 N by a force of 40 N applied to the rim of the wheel. If the radii of the wheel and axle are 70 cm and 5 cm respectively. Calculate the M.A, V.Rand efficiency.
Solution
M.A = 280 / 40 = 7
V.R = R/r = 70/5 = 14
Efficiency = (M.A/ V.R) × 100 = 7/14 × 100 = 50 %
V.R = 1/ sin θ M.A = Load/ Effort
Example
A man uses an inclined plane to lift a 50 kg load through a vertical height of 4.0 m. the inclined plane makes an angle of 300 with the horizontal. If the efficiency of the inclined plane is 72%, calculate;
Solution
Effort = load (mg) / effort (50×10)/ 1.44 = 347.2 N
Work output = mgh = 50×10×4 = 2,000 J
Work input = effort × distance moved by effort
347.2 × (4× sin 300) = 2,777.6 J
Therefore work done against friction = 2,777.6 – 2,000 = 777.6 J
V.R of screw = circumference of screw head / pitch P
= 2πr / P
Example
A car weighing 1,600 kg is lifted with a jack-screw of 11 mm pitch. If the handleis 28 cmfrom the screw, find the force applied.
Solution
Neglecting friction M.A = V.R
V.R = 2πr /P = M.A = L / E
1,600 / E = (2π× 0.28) / 0.011
E = (1,600 × 0.011 × 7) / 22×2×0.28 =10 N
V.R = revolutions of driver wheel / revolutions of driven wheel
Or
V.R = no.of teeth in the driven wheel/ no. of teeth in the driving wheel
Example
V.R = radius of the driven pulley / radius of the driving pulley
V.R = R2 / r2 where R- radius of the load piston and r- radius of the effort piston
Example
The radius of the effort piston of a hydraulic lift is 1.4 cm while that of the load piston is 7.0 cm. This machine is used to raise a load of 120 kg at a constant velocity through a height of 2.5 cm. given that the machine is 80% efficient, calculate;
Solution
Efficiency = M.A / V.R = (80 /100) × 25 = 20
But M.A = Load / Effort = (120×10) / 20 = 60 N
= (120 × 10× 2.5) / work input
80 / 100 = 3,000 / work input
Work input = (3,000 × 100) /80 = 3,750 J
Energy wasted = work input – work output
= 3,750 – 3,000 = 750 J
CHAPTER FIVE
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Electric potential difference and electric current
Electric current
Electric potential difference (p. d) is defined as the work done per unit charge in moving charge from one point to another. It is measured in volts.
Electric current is the rate of flow of charge. P. d is measured using a voltmeter while current is measured using an ammeter. The SI units for charge is amperes (A).
Ammeters and voltmeters
In a circuit an ammeter is always connected in series with the battery while a voltmeter is always connected parallel to the device whose voltage is being measured.
Ohm’s law
This law gives the relationship between the voltage across a conductor and the current flowing through it. Ohm’s law states that “the current flowing through a metal conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across the ends of the wire provided that temperature and other physical conditions remain constant”
Mathematically V α I
So V /I = constant, this constant of proportionality is called resistance
V / I = Resistance (R)
Resistance is measured in ohms and given the symbol Ω
Examples
Solution
V = IR = (2 × 10-3) × (2 × 103) = 4 V.
Solution
I = V/R = 5 / 20 = 0.25 A
Ohmic and non-ohmic conductors
Ohmic conductors are those that obey Ohms law(V α I) and a good example is nichrome wire i.e. the nichrome wire is not affected by temperature.
Non-ohmic conductors do not obey Ohms law i.e. bulb filament (tungsten), thermistor couple, semi-conductor diode etc. They are affected by temperature hence non-linear.
Factors affecting the resistance of a metallic conductor
Resistivity of a material is numerically equal to the resistance of a material of unit length and unit cross-sectional area. It is symbolized by ρ and the units are ohmmeter (Ωm). It is given by the following formula;
ρ = AR /lwhere A – cross-sectional area, R – resistance, l – length
Example
Given that the resistivity of nichrome is 1.1× 10-6Ωm, what length of nichrome wire of diameter 0.42 mm is needed to make a resistance of 20 Ω?
Solution
ρ = AR /l, hence l = RA/ ρ = 20 × 3.142 × (2.1×10-4) / 1.1 × 10-6 = 2.52 m
Resistors
Resistors are used to regulate or control the magnitude of current and voltage in a circuit according to Ohms law.
Types of resistors
| Carbon resistor |
| Wire-wound resistor |
Resistor combination
Consider the following loop
Since it is in series then,
VT = V1 + V2 + V3
The same current (I) flows through the circuit (resistors), hence
IRT = I (R1 + R2 + R3), dividing through by I, then
RT = R1 + R2 + R3
Therefore for resistors connected in series the equivalent resistance (Req) is equal to the total sum of their individual resistances.
Req = R1 + R2 + R3
Consider the following circuit
Total current is given by;
IT = I1 + I2 + I3. But IT = VT/RT = V1/R1 + V2/R2 + V3/R3
Since in parallel, VT = V1 = V2 = V3
Then 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +1/R3, for ‘n’ resistors in parallel
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +1/R3 ………… 1/Rn
If only two resistors are involved then the equivalent resistance becomes
1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 = (R1 + R2)/ R1 R2
Examples
Solution
This reduces to
Combining the two in parallel;
1/Req = (R1 + R2)/R1 R2 = 20/96
1/Req = 20/96, therefore Req = 96/20 = 4.8 Ω
Lastly combining the two in series;
Then Req = 4 Ω + 4.8 Ω = 8.8 Ω
Solution
Combining those in series then this can be replaced by two resistors of 60 Ω and 40 Ω.
Current through 10 Ω = (p.d. between P and R)/ (30 + 10) Ω
p.d between P and R = 0.8 × Req. Req = (40 × 60)/ 40 + 60 = 2400/ 100 = 24 Ω
p.d across R and P = 0.8 × 24 (V=IR)
therefore, current through 10 Ω = 19.2 / 10 + 30 = 0.48 A
Electromotive force and internal resistance
Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is the p.d across a cell when no current is being drawn from the cell. The p.d across the cell when the circuit is closed is referred to as the terminal voltage of the cell. Internal resistance of a cell is therefore the resistance of flow of current that they generate. Consider the following diagram;
The current flowing through the circuit is given by the equation,
Current = e.m.f / total resistance
I = E / R + rwhere E – e.m.f of the cell
Therefore E = I (R + r) = IR + I r = V + I r
Examples
Solution
Let the internal resistance be ‘r’ and e.m.f be ‘E’.
Using E = V + I r = IR + I r
Substitute for the two sets of values for I and R
E = 0.6 × (2 + 0.6 r) = 1.2 + 0.36 r
E = 0.6 × (7 × 0.2 r) = 1.4 + 0.12 r
Solving the two simultaneously, we have,
E = 1.5 v and R = 0.5 Ω
Solution
When two identical cells are connected in series, the equivalent e.m.f is equal to that of only one cell. The equivalent internal resistance is equal to that of two such resistance connected in parallel. Hence Req = R1 R2 / R1 + R2 = (0.6 × 0.6) / 0.6 + 0.6 = 0.36 / 1.2 = 0.3 Ω
Equivalent e.m.f =1.5 / (0.7 + 0.3) = 1.5 A
Hence current flowing through 0.7 Ω resistor is 1.5 A
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