NCERT Class 10 Science Science: Chapter 11 — Electricity
This chapter, "Electricity," from NCERT Class 10 Science, introduces the fundamental concepts of electric current and circuits. It explains that electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, analogous to water current. The chapter defines an electric circuit as a continuous closed path for current flow and highlights the role of a switch. It quantifies electric current as the rate of charge flow (I = Q/t), defining the SI unit as the Ampere (A). The text also clarifies the conventional direction of current versus electron flow and introduces the ammeter for measuring current. Practical examples and questions are provided to reinforce understanding of these basic principles of electricity, crucial for further study in physics and CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Science |
| Chapter | Chapter 11 — Electricity |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 424 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of electric current and electric circuit.
- Define electric current and its SI unit, Ampere.
- Differentiate between conventional current and electron flow.
- Identify the components of a simple electric circuit.
- Calculate electric charge using the formula I = Q/t.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Electric current | The flow of electric charge through a conductor. |
| Electric circuit | A continuous and closed path of an electric current. |
| Coulomb (C) | The SI unit of electric charge. |
| Ampere (A) | The SI unit of electric current, defined as one coulomb of charge per second. |
| Ammeter | An instrument used to measure electric current in a circuit. |
| Conductor | A material through which electric charge can flow easily. |
| Electron | A negatively charged subatomic particle that constitutes the flow of charge in metallic wires. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is an electric circuit? Answer: An electric circuit is a continuous and closed path of an electric current.
- Define the unit of electric current. Answer: The unit of electric current is Ampere (A). One Ampere is the flow of one Coulomb of charge per second.
- How is electric current defined in terms of charge and time? Answer: Electric current (I) is defined as the amount of charge (Q) flowing through a particular area in unit time (t), expressed as I = Q/t.
- Calculate the number of electrons constituting one coulomb of charge. Answer: One coulomb of charge is constituted by approximately 6 × 10^18 electrons.
Frequently asked questions
What is electricity?
Electricity is a controllable and convenient form of energy that arises from the flow of electric charge.
What is an electric circuit?
An electric circuit is a continuous and closed path through which electric current can flow.
How is electric current measured?
Electric current is measured in Amperes (A) using an instrument called an ammeter, which is connected in series in the circuit.
What is the SI unit of electric charge?
The SI unit of electric charge is the Coulomb (C).
What is the relationship between current, charge, and time?
Electric current (I) is the rate of flow of charge (Q) per unit time (t), given by the formula I = Q/t.
What is the conventional direction of electric current?
The conventional direction of electric current is taken as the direction of flow of positive charges, which is opposite to the direction of flow of electrons.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 Science — Science — Chapter 11 — Electricity. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.