Current Electricity & Magnetism
Electric charges can be made to flow in a circuit, producing an
electric current. Such currents are sources of energy that can be readily converted into
other forms of energy and do work.
Electrical energy is the most versatile and widely used of all the forms of energy. It is
readily applied in motors to do mechanical work, in incandescent light bulbs to give
light, in electric heaters to provide heat, in computers to perform calculations and
process data, and in telephones, radios, and television sets to provide communications.
Its use has changed every aspect of living.
In this unit we will learn how a steady direct current may be set up and maintained in an
electric circuit. We will also study the factors that control the flow of current in an
electric circuit.
Further investigation of the nature of electricity leads to Hans Christian Oersted
(1777-1851). In 1820, he demonstrated that every electric current generates a magnetic
field around itself. This was the first recognition that magnetism is associated with
moving electric charges. Today we call this area of physics "electromagnetism".
In this unit you will become familiar with the properties of magents and their magnetic
fields. We will also study the interrelationships between electric currents and magnetic
fields.
Tutorial on
Electric Circuits
Quiz 2 Practice Questions
Unit Exam Practice Questions