In the Class 12 Physics curriculum, **Chapter 3** typically deals with **"Current Electricity"**. This chapter explores the key concepts and principles related to the flow of electric charge through conductors, circuit components, and various electrical phenomena. Here's a detailed breakdown of what the chapter generally covers:
### 1. **Electric Current (Concept of Current)**:
- **Electric Current** is defined as the rate of flow of charge through a conductor. The SI unit of electric current is the **ampere (A)**.
- Mathematically, **I = Q/t**, where **I** is the current, **Q** is the charge, and **t** is the time interval.
### 2. **Drift Velocity**:
- Drift velocity refers to the average velocity with which free electrons move under the influence of an electric field in a conductor.
- The drift velocity is typically quite small, but itâs responsible for the flow of current.
- The relationship between drift velocity and current is given by **I = nAve**, where:
- **n** is the number density of free electrons
- **A** is the cross-sectional area of the conductor
- **v** is the drift velocity
- **e** is the charge of an electron
### 3. **Ohm's Law**:
- **Ohm's Law** states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across it and inversely proportional to the resistance.
- The formula is given by **V = IR**, where:
- **V** is the voltage (potential difference)
- **I** is the current
- **R** is the resistance
- This law applies to materials that are **ohmic**, meaning they exhibit constant resistance over a range of voltages.
### 4. **Resistivity and Conductivity**:
- **Resistivity (Ď)** is a material property that quantifies how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. The SI unit of resistivity is **ohm-meter (Ί¡m)**.
- **Conductivity (Ď)** is the inverse of resistivity and describes how easily a material allows current to flow.
- **Resistivity (Ď)** is given by the formula **Ď = R(A/L)**, where **R** is the resistance, **A** is the cross-sectional area, and **L** is the length of the conductor.
### 5. **Combination of Resistors**:
- **Resistors in Series**: The total resistance is the sum of individual resistances. The formula is **R_total = Râ + Râ + ...**.
- **Resistors in Parallel**: The total resistance is the reciprocal of the sum of reciprocals of individual resistances. The formula is **1/R_total = 1/Râ + 1/Râ + ...**.
- These concepts are used to analyze complex circuits.
### 6. **Internal Resistance and EMF**:
- Every source of electric current, such as a battery, has an **electromotive force (EMF)** and an **internal resistance (r)**.
- The EMF is the potential difference across the terminals when no current is flowing, and internal resistance is the resistance inside the battery that limits the flow of current.
- The relationship between EMF, internal resistance, and current is given by **V = E - Ir**, where **E** is the EMF, **V** is the terminal voltage, **I** is the current, and **r** is the internal resistance.
### 7. **Power in Electrical Circuits**:
- **Power (P)** consumed by a resistor in a circuit is given by **P = I²R** or **P = V²/R**, where **V** is the voltage and **R** is the resistance.
- Power can also be calculated as the product of voltage and current: **P = VI**.
### 8. **Kirchhoffâs Laws**:
- **Kirchhoffâs Current Law (KCL)** states that the total current entering a junction is equal to the total current leaving the junction. This is based on the conservation of charge.
- **Kirchhoffâs Voltage Law (KVL)** states that the sum of the potential differences (voltage) around any closed loop in a circuit is zero. This is based on the conservation of energy.
### 9. **Wheatstone Bridge**:
- The Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit used to measure an unknown resistance by balancing two legs of a bridge circuit.
- It consists of four resistors arranged in a diamond shape, with a galvanometer and a known adjustable resistor (Râ) to balance the bridge.
### 10. **Electrical Energy and Power**:
- The relationship between electrical energy and power is given by **Energy (E) = P Ă t**.
- Electrical energy consumed in circuits is typically measured in **kilowatt-hours (kWh)**.
### 11. **Numerical Problems**:
- The chapter includes problems where you apply these concepts to solve for current, resistance, voltage, and power in different types of circuits (series, parallel, combinations).
- It also involves calculating the equivalent resistance of networks, the current in various branches, and the potential difference across components.
### Summary:
Chapter 3, "Current Electricity," in Class 12 Physics is fundamental to understanding how electrical circuits work, how electricity is transported through conductors, and how different circuit components behave under varying conditions. The chapter introduces key concepts such as current, drift velocity, Ohm's law, resistivity, power, and Kirchhoffâs laws, providing the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to analyze and understand electrical circuits.
This chapter is essential for students not only because it helps in practical applications of electricity but also because it lays the groundwork for more advanced topics in electromagnetism and electrical engineering.