A current of 0.6 A is drawn by an electric bulb for 10 minutes. Which one of the following is the amount of electric charge that flows through the circuit?
360 C
Understanding Electric Charge, Current, and Time
The problem asks us to find the amount of electric charge that flows through an electric bulb given the current drawn and the time duration.
Relationship Between Current, Charge, and Time
Electric current (\(I\)) is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge (\(Q\)) through a conductor. The formula connecting these quantities is:
\(I = \frac{Q}{t}\)
where:
- \(I\) is the current (in Amperes, A)
- \(Q\) is the charge (in Coulombs, C)
- \(t\) is the time (in seconds, s)
From this formula, we can find the charge \(Q\) by rearranging it:
\(Q = I \times t\)
Applying the Formula to the Problem
We are given the following values:
- Current, \(I = 0.6 \text{ A}\)
- Time, \(t = 10 \text{ minutes}\)
Unit Conversion for Time
The standard unit for time in the formula \(Q = I \times t\) is seconds. The given time is in minutes, so we need to convert it to seconds. There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.
\(t = 10 \text{ minutes} \times 60 \frac{\text{seconds}}{\text{minute}}\)
\(t = 600 \text{ seconds}\)
Calculating the Electric Charge
Now we can use the formula \(Q = I \times t\) with the converted time in seconds.
\(Q = 0.6 \text{ A} \times 600 \text{ s}\)
\(Q = 360 \text{ C}\)
Therefore, the amount of electric charge that flows through the circuit is 360 Coulombs.
Verification with Options
Let's compare our calculated charge with the given options:
| Option | Value | Matches Calculation? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 C | No |
| 2 | 0.6 C | No |
| 3 | 360 C | Yes |
| 4 | 36 C | No |
Our calculated value of 360 C matches Option 3.
Revision Table: Electric Charge, Current, and Time
| Quantity | Symbol | SI Unit | Formula | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Current | \(I\) | Ampere (A) | \(I = Q/t\) | Rate of flow of charge |
| Electric Charge | \(Q\) | Coulomb (C) | \(Q = I \times t\) | Fundamental property, flows as current |
| Time | \(t\) | Second (s) | \(t = Q/I\) | Duration of charge flow |
Additional Information: Understanding Electrical Quantities
What is Electric Charge?
Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter. It can be positive or negative. The smallest unit of free charge is the charge of an electron or a proton. The SI unit for charge is the Coulomb (C).
What is Electric Current?
Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a material. It is measured in Amperes (A). One Ampere is defined as the flow of one Coulomb of charge per second (\(1 \text{ A} = 1 \text{ C/s}\)). Current flows from a region of higher potential to a region of lower potential in a circuit.
Why Convert Time to Seconds?
In the standard SI system of units, the unit of current (Ampere) is defined based on Coulombs per second. Therefore, when using the formula \(Q = I \times t\), time must be in seconds to get the charge in Coulombs.
Examples of Current Flow
Electric current is what powers our devices, from simple light bulbs to complex computers. When you turn on a light bulb, electric charge flows through the filament, causing it to heat up and produce light. The amount of charge flowing depends on how much current the bulb draws and for how long it is on, just like in this problem.
Important Questions from Electric Current
A current of 1.0 A is drawn by a filament of an electric bulb for 10 minutes. The amount of electric charge that flows through the circuit is
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