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ESO Y3 · Physics and Chemistry
Energy · Electrical circuits

Ohm's law

You already know that voltage pushes, resistance holds back and current is what flows. But the three are linked by a formula so useful that it has a name of its own: Ohm's law.

Before you start, make sure you know: Basic electric circuits (2nd ESO)
Before you start, make sure you know: First-degree equations (2nd ESO)

The formula: V = I·R

In the laboratory we connect a metal wire to several cells and record the results: at $1{,}5\ \text{V}$ a current of $0{,}25\ \text{A}$ flows; at $3\ \text{V}$, $0{,}50\ \text{A}$ passes; at $4{,}5\ \text{V}$, $0{,}75\ \text{A}$ is measured. When we divide each voltage by its current, the result is always $6$. What universal mathematical law links the push of the cell to the current that manages to flow?

The laboratory measurements from the start: voltage against current. The three points lie on a straight line through the origin and V / I is always 6 Ω. I (A) V (V) 0.250.50.75 1.534.5 1.5 / 0.25 = 3 / 0.50 = 4.5 / 0.75 = 6 gradient of the line: R = 6 Ω

From that same equation we can rearrange to find the other two quantities:

$$I = \frac{V}{R} \qquad\qquad R = \frac{V}{I}$$
Practice★☆☆Not started
Write down the formula for Ohm's law and state what quantity each letter represents, specifying the unit in which each is measured.

Write down the formula for Ohm's law and state what quantity each letter represents, specifying the unit in which each is measured.

Solve
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A current of $2\ \text{A}$ flows through a resistor of $5\ \Omega$. What is the voltage across its ends?

A current of $2\ \text{A}$ flows through a resistor of $5\ \Omega$. What is the voltage across its ends?

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
A light bulb of $6\ \Omega$ is connected to a $12\ \text{V}$ battery. What current passes through it?

A light bulb of $6\ \Omega$ is connected to a $12\ \text{V}$ battery. What current passes through it?

Solve

Calculating voltage, current or resistance

Depending on which quantity is missing, we use one of the three forms of the formula. Play with the interactive and notice how the brightness of the bulbs changes as you move the sliders.

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When connecting the motor of a toy boat to a $9\ \text{V}$ battery, a current of $3\ \text{A}$ passes through it. What is the resistance of the motor?

When connecting the motor of a toy boat to a $9\ \text{V}$ battery, a current of $3\ \text{A}$ passes through it. What is the resistance of the motor?

Solve
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A light bulb of $300\ \Omega$ is connected to a $9\ \text{V}$ battery. Calculate the current passing through it and express the result in amperes and in milliamperes.

A light bulb of $300\ \Omega$ is connected to a $9\ \text{V}$ battery. Calculate the current passing through it and express the result in amperes and in milliamperes.

Solve
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A current of $300\ \text{mA}$ flows through the buzzer of a doorbell connected to $4,5\ \text{V}$. a) Express this current in amperes. b) Calculate the resistance of the…

A current of $300\ \text{mA}$ flows through the buzzer of a doorbell connected to $4,5\ \text{V}$.

  1. a) Express this current in amperes.
  2. b) Calculate the resistance of the buzzer.
Solve

What happens if I change the voltage or the resistance

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A circuit has a $6\ \text{V}$ battery and a resistor of $3\ \Omega$. a) Calculate the current that flows. b) If we replace the resistor with one of $6\ \Omega$, what is…

A circuit has a $6\ \text{V}$ battery and a resistor of $3\ \Omega$.

  1. a) Calculate the current that flows.
  2. b) If we replace the resistor with one of $6\ \Omega$, what is the current now?
  3. c) Explain what happens to the current when the resistance is doubled while keeping the same battery.
Solve
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A certain current flows when a $5\ \text{V}$ battery is connected to a resistor of $10\ \Omega$. a) Calculate it. b) What current would flow with a $10\ \text{V}$…

A certain current flows when a $5\ \text{V}$ battery is connected to a resistor of $10\ \Omega$.

  1. a) Calculate it.
  2. b) What current would flow with a $10\ \text{V}$ battery and the same resistance?
  3. c) How does the current change when the voltage is doubled? Relate this to Ohm's law.
Solve
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Andrea says: "If we double the voltage, the current also doubles." Bruno replies: "No, it is halved." a) Who is right if the resistance does not change? b) Verify it by…

Andrea says: "If we double the voltage, the current also doubles." Bruno replies: "No, it is halved."

  1. a) Who is right if the resistance does not change?
  2. b) Verify it by calculating the current passing through a resistor of $8\ \Omega$ with $8\ \text{V}$ and with $16\ \text{V}$.
  3. c) Write a sentence summarizing the relationship between voltage and current according to Ohm's law.
Solve

Resistors that do not obey Ohm's law

If we repeat the previous measurements but connect the filament of a traditional bulb, we find that when we double the voltage from $3\ \text{V}$ to $6\ \text{V}$ the current does not double, but rises much less than expected. Why does the relationship between voltage and current stop being constant in some devices?

Graph of current against voltage comparing the straight line of an ohmic resistor with the curve of an incandescent bulb, which flattens as the voltage rises current I (A) voltage V (V) 0 resistor: straight line I proportional to V bulb: curves resistance increases
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We measure the current passing through a resistor by applying different voltages, as shown in the graph: with $2\ \text{V}$, $0,5\ \text{A}$ flows; with $4\ \text{V}$,…

We measure the current passing through a resistor by applying different voltages, as shown in the graph: with $2\ \text{V}$, $0,5\ \text{A}$ flows; with $4\ \text{V}$, $1\ \text{A}$; and with $6\ \text{V}$, $1,5\ \text{A}$.

2468 0,511,5 Voltage (V)Current (A) R = ?
  1. a) Calculate the value of the resistance in each measurement.
  2. b) What do you conclude?
  3. c) Predict the current we will measure if we apply $12\ \text{V}$.
Solve
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In an experiment with a filament light bulb, you obtain the following results, as shown in the graph: with $2\ \text{V}$, $0,5\ \text{A}$ flows; with $4\ \text{V}$,…

In an experiment with a filament light bulb, you obtain the following results, as shown in the graph: with $2\ \text{V}$, $0,5\ \text{A}$ flows; with $4\ \text{V}$, $0,8\ \text{A}$; and with $6\ \text{V}$, $1\ \text{A}$.

Current versus voltage graph for a filament light bulb 2 4 6 8 0,5 1 1,5 Voltage (V) Current (A)
  1. a) Calculate the apparent resistance of the light bulb in each case.
  2. b) Does the light bulb obey Ohm's law, that is, does it keep its resistance constant?
  3. c) Knowing that the filament glows red-hot when lit, propose an explanation for what was observed.
Solve

Protecting a circuit with a resistor

Diagram of a series circuit with a cell, a protective resistor and an LED, showing the direction of the current protective R R cell + − LED conventional direction of current I
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The wire of a scale model melts if more than $2\ \text{A}$ flows through it, and we power it with a $12\ \text{V}$ battery. a) What is the minimum resistance the circuit…

The wire of a scale model melts if more than $2\ \text{A}$ flows through it, and we power it with a $12\ \text{V}$ battery.

  1. a) What is the minimum resistance the circuit must have so that the wire does not melt?
  2. b) What happens if we use a resistor of $4\ \Omega$? Justify your answer with calculations.
Solve
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A toy LED can take a maximum of $0,02\ \text{A}$; if more current passes through it, it burns out. We connect it to a $9\ \text{V}$ battery with a protective resistor in…

A toy LED can take a maximum of $0,02\ \text{A}$; if more current passes through it, it burns out. We connect it to a $9\ \text{V}$ battery with a protective resistor in the same path, as shown in the figure.

9 VR = ?LED
  1. a) What is the minimum value this resistor must have?
  2. b) What would happen if we connected the LED directly to the battery without a resistor? Explain using Ohm's law.
Solve
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An unknown resistor is connected to a $24\ \text{V}$ battery, and the ammeter reads $1,5\ \text{A}$, as shown in the figure. a) Calculate the value of the resistance. b)…

An unknown resistor is connected to a $24\ \text{V}$ battery, and the ammeter reads $1,5\ \text{A}$, as shown in the figure.

A 24 VR = ?1,5 A
  1. a) Calculate the value of the resistance.
  2. b) What would the ammeter read if we changed to a $8\ \text{V}$ battery?
  3. c) Returning to the $24\ \text{V}$ battery, we place a second identical resistor after the first one along the same path. Reason what happens to the total resistance and calculate the new current.
Solve

Summary

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