Physics (4PH1)
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Electricity

Current, voltage, resistance, and circuit calculations

Current (I) = flow of charge (measured in Amperes, A). Voltage/Potential difference (V) = energy transferred per unit charge (Volts, V). Resistance (R) = opposition to current (Ohms, Ω).


Ohm's Law: **V = IR** (Voltage = Current × Resistance)


Circuit types:

  • Series circuit: Current same everywhere. Voltages add up. Total resistance = R₁ + R₂ + ...
  • Parallel circuit: Voltage same across each branch. Currents add up. Total resistance < any individual resistance.

  • Power: P = IV = I²R = V²/R (measured in Watts, W)


    Energy: E = Pt = IVt (measured in Joules, J)


    Domestic electricity:

  • Live wire (brown): 230V AC
  • Neutral wire (blue): 0V
  • Earth wire (green/yellow): safety

  • Fuses and circuit breakers protect against overloading. Fuse melts if current exceeds rating. RCDs detect earth faults.


    Charge: Q = It (Charge = Current × Time, measured in Coulombs, C)

    Key Points to Remember

    • 1V = IR (Ohm's Law)
    • 2Series: same current, voltages add; Parallel: same voltage, currents add
    • 3Power P = IV = I²R
    • 4Q = It (Charge = Current x Time)

    Pakistan Example

    LESCO and K-Electric — Electricity Bills as Physics Lessons

    Every LESCO (Lahore) and K-Electric (Karachi) bill shows kWh units. A 100W bulb running 10 hours uses 1 kWh = 1000 Wh. At Rs. 30/kWh, that's Rs. 30. Using P = IV: at 230V, a 100W bulb draws I = P/V = 100/230 = 0.43A. A 13A fuse would protect the appliance. Load shedding areas with fewer appliances per circuit have less current demand — parallel circuit physics.

    Quick Revision Infographic

    Physics — Quick Revision

    Electricity

    Key Concepts

    1V = IR (Ohm's Law)
    2Series: same current, voltages add; Parallel: same voltage, currents add
    3Power P = IV = I²R
    4Q = It (Charge = Current x Time)

    Formulas to Know

    V = IR (Ohm's Law)
    P = IV = I²R
    It (Charge = Current x Time)
    Pakistan Example

    LESCO and K-Electric — Electricity Bills as Physics Lessons

    Every LESCO (Lahore) and K-Electric (Karachi) bill shows kWh units. A 100W bulb running 10 hours uses 1 kWh = 1000 Wh. At Rs. 30/kWh, that's Rs. 30. Using P = IV: at 230V, a 100W bulb draws I = P/V = 100/230 = 0.43A. A 13A fuse would protect the appliance. Load shedding areas with fewer appliances per circuit have less current demand — parallel circuit physics.

    SeekhoAsaan.com — Free RevisionElectricity Infographic

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