Current Electricity

Current Electricity
Current Electricity
Current Electricity
Current Electricity
 Current Electricity
1 A battery of emf 10 V and internal resistance 𝟑𝛀 is connected to a resistor R.
1) If the current in the circuit is 0.5 A, calculate the value of R.
2) What is the terminal voltage of the battery when the circuit is closed?
𝑹

𝟑𝛀 Answer

1. 𝒊 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝑨
𝟏𝟎 𝑽 𝜺 = 𝒊(𝑹 + 𝒓)
𝜺 𝟏𝟎
𝑹+𝒓= = = 𝟐𝟎
𝒊 𝟎.𝟓
𝑹 = 𝟐𝟎 − 𝒓 = 𝟐𝟎 − 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟕𝛀

2. Terminal voltage, 𝑽 = 𝜺 − 𝒊𝒓
𝑽 = 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟎. 𝟓 × 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟏. 𝟓 = 𝟖. 𝟓 𝑽
 Current Electricity
2 Draw a circuit diagram showing how a potentiometer may be used to find
internal resistance of a cell and establish a formula for it.
Answer

For this, the cell (emf 𝜺) whose internal resistance 𝒓 is to be

determined is connected across a resistance box through a
key 𝑲𝟐 .
1. When the key 𝑲𝟐 is open, the balancing length 𝒍𝟏 is
measured.
𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍𝟏 → (𝟏) 𝝓 is constant.
2. When key 𝑲𝟐 is closed, again the balancing length is
measured.
𝑽 = 𝝓𝒍𝟐 → (𝟐) where 𝑽 = P.D. of the cell

𝜺 𝝓𝒍𝟏 𝜺 𝒍𝟏
Dividing eq (1) by eq (2), we get = ⇒ = → (𝟑)
𝑽 𝝓𝒍𝟐 𝑽 𝒍𝟐
 Current Electricity
2 Draw a circuit diagram showing how a potentiometer may be used to find
internal resistance of a cell and establish a formula for it.
Answer

But 𝜺 = 𝒊(𝑹 + 𝒓) and 𝑽 = 𝒊𝑹. This gives,

𝜺 𝒊 𝑹+𝒓 𝑹+𝒓
= = → (𝟒)
𝑽 𝒊𝑹 𝑹
𝑹+𝒓 𝒍𝟏
From equation (3) and (4), =
𝑹 𝒍𝟐
𝒓 𝒍𝟏 𝒓 𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟏 −𝒍𝟐
𝟏+ = ⇒ = −𝟏=
𝑹 𝒍𝟐 𝑹 𝒍𝟐 𝒍𝟐
𝒍𝟏 − 𝒍𝟐
𝑹 𝒓=
𝒍𝟐
Using this formula, internal resistance of the cell is
measured.
 Current Electricity
3 Derive an expression for the effective resistance when three resistors are
connected in (i) series (ii) parallel.
Answer

(i) Series combination

Consider three resistors of resistance
𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑 connected in series. Let
𝒊be the current flowing through each
resistor. Let 𝑽 be the P.D. across the
series combination.
Let 𝑽𝟏 , 𝑽𝟐 and 𝑽𝟑 be the P.D. across 𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑
respectively then
𝑽 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑
But 𝑽 = 𝒊𝑹, 𝑽𝟏 = 𝒊𝑹𝟏 , 𝑽𝟐 = 𝒊𝑹𝟐 and 𝑽𝟑 = 𝒊𝑹𝟑
𝒊𝑹 = 𝒊𝑹𝟏 + 𝒊𝑹𝟐 + 𝒊𝑹𝟑 ⇒ 𝑹 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑
 Current Electricity
3 Derive an expression for the effective resistance when three resistors are
connected in (i) series (ii) parallel.
Answer
(i) Parallel combination
Consider three resistors of resistance
𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑 connected in Parallel.
Let 𝑽 be the P.D. across each resistor.
Let 𝒊 be the main current.
Let 𝒊𝟏 , 𝒊𝟐 and 𝒊𝟑 be the currents through 𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑 .
Then 𝒊 = 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 + 𝒊𝟑 → 𝟐
𝑽 𝑽 𝑽 𝑽
But 𝒊 = , 𝒊𝟏 = , 𝒊𝟐 = and 𝒊𝟑 =
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝑽 𝑽 𝑽 𝑽
= = =
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
 Current Electricity
4 a) ‘m’ cells each of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ are connected in parallel.
What is the total emf and internal resistance?
b) Under what conditions is the current drawn from mixed grouping of cell a
maximum?

Answer

a) Consider 𝒎 identical cells each of emf 𝜺, internal

resistance 𝒓 connected in parallel with an external
resistance 𝑹.

Effective emf, 𝜺𝒆𝒇𝒇 = 𝜺 → (𝟏)

Effective internal resistance is
given by,
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝒎
= + + +⋯=
𝒓𝒆𝒒 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓
𝒓
𝒓𝒆𝒒 = → (𝟐)
𝒎
 Current Electricity
4 a) ‘m’ cells each of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ are connected in parallel.
What is the total emf and internal resistance?
b) Under what conditions is the current drawn from mixed grouping of cell a
maximum?

Answer

Current flowing through the circuit is given by,

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒎𝒇
𝒊=
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝜺 𝒎𝜺
𝒊= 𝒓 =
+𝑹 𝒓+𝒎𝑹
𝒎
𝒎𝜺
If 𝑹 ≪ 𝒓, 𝒊 =
𝒓

To get large current, cells may be connected in

parallel to a small external resistance (R).
 Current Electricity
4 a) ‘m’ cells each of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ are connected in parallel.
What is the total emf and internal resistance?
b) Under what conditions is the current drawn from mixed grouping of cell a
maximum?

Answer
b) Current will be maximum when external resistance is equal to total
internal resistance of cells.
𝒓
For parallel combination of ‘m’ cells, 𝑹 =
𝒎
𝒏𝒓
For mixed grouping of cells, 𝑹 =
𝒎
Where,
𝑹 = external resistance
𝒓 = internal resistance of each cell
𝒎 = number of cells
𝒏 = number of cells in each row
 Current Electricity
5 Define electric resistance and write its SI unit. How does the resistance of a
conductor vary if
a) Conductor is stretched to 4 times of its length.
b) Temperature of conductor is increased.

Answer

Resistance: Resistance of a conductor is defines as the ratio of potential difference

across the ends of the conductor to the current flowing through it.

𝑽
𝑹=
𝒊
SI unit → 𝒐𝒉𝒎 (𝛀)
 Current Electricity
5 Define electric resistance and write its SI unit. How does the resistance of a
conductor vary if
a) Conductor is stretched to 4 times of its length.
b) Temperature of conductor is increased.

Answer
𝒍 𝒍𝟐 𝒍𝟐
a) 𝑹 ∝ ⇒𝑹∝ ⇒𝑹∝ (𝑽 = 𝑨𝒍)
𝑨 𝑨𝒍 𝑽

𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹, 𝒍𝟏 = 𝒍, 𝒍𝟐 = 𝟒𝒍

𝑹𝟏 𝒍𝟏 𝟐 𝑹 𝒍𝟐
= ⇒ =
𝑹𝟐 𝒍𝟐 𝑹𝟐 𝟏𝟔𝒍𝟐

𝑹𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝑹

∴ Resistance of the conductor increases sixteen times.

 Current Electricity
5 Define electric resistance and write its SI unit. How does the resistance of a
conductor vary if
a) Conductor is stretched to 4 times of its length.
b) Temperature of conductor is increased.

Answer
b) If the temperature of the conductor increases, resistance of the conductor
increases.
 Current Electricity
When the resistance connected in series with a cell is halved, the current is
6
equal to or slightly greater than double. Why?
Answer

Let a cell of emf ‘E’ of internal resistance ‘r’ is connected in series

with an external resistance ‘R’.

𝑬
The current in the circuit is 𝒊 =
𝑹+𝒓
Depending upon the internal resistor, there arises 3 cases.

1. If cell is ideal:

𝑬
i.e. 𝒓 = 𝟎, 𝒊𝟏 = → (𝟏)
𝑹
𝑹 𝟐𝑬
If resistance is halved 𝑹′ = , 𝒊𝟐 = ⇒ 𝒊𝟐 = 𝟐𝒊𝟏
𝟐 𝑹
 Current Electricity
When the resistance connected in series with a cell is halved, the current is
6
equal to or slightly greater than double. Why?
Answer

𝑬 𝟐𝑬
2. If cell has internal resistance: 𝒊 = , 𝟐𝒊𝟏 = → (𝟏)
𝑹+𝒓 𝑹+𝒓

𝑹
If resistance is halved 𝑹′ = ,
𝟐
𝑬 𝟐𝑬
𝒊𝟐 = 𝑹 =
+𝒓 𝑹+𝟐𝒓
𝟐
𝟐𝑬
𝒊𝟐 = − (𝟐)
𝑹+𝟐𝒓

From (1) and (2) it is clear that 𝒊𝟐 < 𝟐𝒊𝟏

 Current Electricity
When the resistance connected in series with a cell is halved, the current is
6
equal to or slightly greater than double. Why?
Answer

3. If internal resistance = external resistance (𝑹 = 𝒓)

𝑬 𝑬 𝟐𝑬
𝒊𝟏 = ,𝒊 = =
𝟐𝑹 𝟐 𝑹+
𝑹 𝟑𝑹
𝟐

𝒊𝟐 < 𝟐𝒊𝟏
 Current Electricity
7 Two cells of emfs 𝟒. 𝟓 𝑽 and 𝟔. 𝟎 𝑽 and internal resistance 𝟔 𝛀 and 𝟑𝛀 respectively
have their negative terminals joined by a wire of 𝟏𝟖 𝛀 and positive terminals by a
wire 𝟏𝟐𝛀 resistance. A third resistance wire of 𝟐𝟒𝛀 connects middle points of
these wires. Using Kirchhoff’s laws, find the potential difference at the ends of
this third wire.

Answer

Applying loop law to the closed circuit (𝟏), we get

𝟔𝒊𝟏 + 𝟔𝒊𝟏 + 𝟐𝟒 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 + 𝟗𝒊𝟏 = 𝟒. 𝟓
𝟒𝟓𝒊𝟏 + 𝟐𝟒𝒊𝟐 = 𝟒. 𝟓
𝟏𝟓𝒊𝟏 + 𝟖𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟓 → (𝟏)

Applying loop law to the closed circuit 𝑰𝑰 , we get

𝟑𝒊𝟐 + 𝟔𝟐 + 𝟐𝟒 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 + 𝟗𝒊𝟐 = 𝟔
𝟐𝟒𝒊𝟏 + 𝟒𝟐𝒊𝟐 = 𝟔
𝟒𝒊𝟏 + 𝟕𝒊𝟐 = 𝟏 → (𝟐)
 Current Electricity
7 Two cells of emfs 𝟒. 𝟓 𝑽 and 𝟔. 𝟎 𝑽 and internal resistance 𝟔 𝛀 and 𝟑𝛀 respectively
have their negative terminals joined by a wire of 𝟏𝟖 𝛀 and positive terminals by a
wire 𝟏𝟐𝛀 resistance. A third resistance wire of 𝟐𝟒𝛀 connects middle points of
these wires. Using Kirchhoff’s laws, find the potential difference at the ends of
this third wire.

Answer

Solving equations 𝟏 and (𝟐) , we get Current through 𝟐𝟒𝛀 resistor

= 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟒𝟕 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟕𝑨
Eq 𝟏 × 𝟒, 𝟔𝟎𝒊𝟏 + 𝟑𝟐𝒊𝟐 = 𝟔
𝟔𝟎𝒊 +𝟏𝟎𝟓𝒊𝟐 =𝟏𝟓
Eq 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟓, 𝟏 Potential difference at the ends of 𝟐𝟒𝛀
−𝟕𝟑𝒊𝟐 =−𝟗
𝒊𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑 𝑨 wire = 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟕 × 𝟐𝟒
Substituting 𝒊𝟐 value in eq (𝟐),
𝟒𝒊𝟏 + 𝟕 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑 = 𝟏 ⇒ 𝑽𝟐𝟒𝛀 = 𝟑. 𝟕𝟖𝟓 𝑽
𝟒𝒊𝟏 = 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝟏
𝒊𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟒𝟕 𝑨
 Current Electricity
8 Three resistors each of resistance 10 ohm are connected. In turn, to obtain
(i) Minimum resistance (ii) Maximum resistance. Compute
(a) The effective resistance in each case
(b) The ratio of minimum to maximum resistance so obtained.

Answer

a) Given 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹𝟐 = 𝑹𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝛀
(i) To obtain minimum resistance, they are connected in parallel
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟑
= + + = + + =
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎
𝟏𝟎
⇒ 𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝛀
𝟑

(ii) To obtain maximum resistance they are connected in series

𝑹 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑
𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝟏𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟑𝟎 𝛀
 Current Electricity
8 Three resistors each of resistance 10 ohm are connected. In turn, to obtain
(i) Minimum resistance (ii) Maximum resistance. Compute
(a) The effective resistance in each case
(b) The ratio of minimum to maximum resistance so obtained.

Answer

b) The ratio of minimum resistance to maximum,

𝑹𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎
= =
𝑹𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟑×𝟑𝟎 𝟗𝟎

𝑹𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝟏
=
𝑹𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟗
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer

Kirchhoff’s current law (or) first law:

“The algebraic sum of the currents meeting at any junction in a circuit is zero”
෍𝒊 = 𝟎

𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟑 + 𝑰𝟓 = 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑰𝟒
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer

Kirchhoff’s voltage law (or) second law:

“In any closed circuit the algebraic sum of the products of currents and
resistances is equal to the algebraic sum of emf’s”
෍ 𝒊𝑹 = ෍ 𝜺

“In any closed circuit the algebraic sum of the

potential differences of equal to zero.”

෍𝑽 = 𝟎
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer
Wheatstone bridge: Wheatstone bridge consists of four
resistances 𝑷, 𝑸, 𝑹 and 𝑺 connected as shown in figure to form
four junctions 𝑨, 𝑩, 𝑪 and 𝑫.

Between junctions 𝑨 and 𝑪 a battery of emf 𝜺 is connected.

Between junctions 𝑩 and 𝑫, a galvanometer 𝑮 is connected.

Applying Kirchhoff’s first law for the junction 𝑩, 𝒊𝟏 − 𝒊𝒈 − 𝒊𝟑 = 𝟎 → (𝟏)

For junction 𝑫, 𝒊𝟐 + 𝒊𝒈 − 𝒊𝟒 = 𝟎 → (𝟐)

 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer
Applying Kirchhoff’s second for a closed mesh 𝑨𝑩𝑫𝑨,
𝒊𝟏 𝑷 + 𝒊𝒈 𝑮 − 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 = 𝟎 → (𝟑)

Applying Kirchhoff’s second for a closed mesh 𝑩𝑪𝑫𝑩,

𝒊𝟑 𝑸 + 𝒊𝟒 𝑺 − 𝒊𝒈 𝑮 = 𝟎 → (𝟒)

When no current passing through the galvanometer,

𝒊𝒈 = 𝟎 the bridge is said to be balanced.

Using 𝒊𝒈 = 𝟎 in above equation, 𝒊𝟏 = 𝒊𝟑 → 𝟓 , 𝒊𝟐 = 𝒊𝟒 → (𝟔)

𝒊𝟏 𝑷 = 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 → 𝟕 , 𝒊𝟑 𝑸 = 𝒊𝟒 𝑺 → (𝟖)
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer
𝒊𝟏 𝑷 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 𝒊𝟏 𝑷 𝒊𝟐 𝑹
Dividing equation (𝟕) by 𝟖 , = = =
𝒊𝟑 𝑸 𝒊𝟒 𝑺 𝒊𝟏 𝑸 𝒊𝟐 𝑺

𝑷 𝑹
= This is the principle of Wheatstone bridge.
𝑸 𝑺
 Current Electricity
10 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
diagram how emf of two primary cells are compared by using the
potentiometer.

Answer

Principle: It works on the principle that potential difference across any part is
directly proportional to the length.
𝜺∝𝒍
𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍 where 𝝓 =Potential drop per unit length.
Comparison of emf’s of two cells:
1. Figure shows two cells of emf’s 𝜺𝟏 and 𝜺𝟐 . The point
marks 1, 2, 3 form a two-way key.

2. Consider the first position of the key where 1 and 3

are connected, so the galvanometer is connected
to 𝜺𝟏
 Current Electricity
10 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
diagram how emf of two primary cells are compared by using the
potentiometer.

Answer
3. The jockey is moved along the wire till at a point 𝑵𝟏 ,
the balancing length 𝒍𝟏 from A is measured. 𝜺𝟏 = 𝝓𝒍𝟏 →
(𝟏)

3. Now the second position of the key where 2 and 3

4are connected, so the galvanometer is connected to
𝜺𝟐 .

4. The jockey is moved along the wire till at a point 𝑵𝟐 ,

the balancing length 𝒍𝟐 from A is measured.
𝜺 + 𝟐 = 𝝓𝒍𝟐 → (𝟐)
 Current Electricity
10 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
diagram how emf of two primary cells are compared by using the
potentiometer.

Answer
Dividing equation (𝟏) equation (𝟐)
𝜺𝟏 𝝓𝒍
= 𝟏
𝜺𝟐 𝝓𝒍𝟐

𝜺𝟏 𝒍𝟏
= → (𝟑)
𝜺𝟐 𝒍𝟐

Using the above formula, the emf’s of two given

cells is compared.
 Current Electricity
11 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
11
diagram how the potentiometer is used to determine the internal resistance of
the given primary cell.
Answer

Principle: It works on the principle that potential difference across any point is
directly proportional to the length.
𝜺∝𝒍
𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍
Determination of internal resistance of a primary cell:
For this the cell (emf 𝜺) whose internal resistance 𝒓 is to be
determined is connected across a resistance box through a
key 𝒌𝟐 .

1. When the key 𝒌𝟐 is open, the balancing 𝒍𝟏 is measured.

𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍𝟏 → 𝟏 𝝓 is a constant.
 Current Electricity
11 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
11
diagram how the potentiometer is used to determine the internal resistance of
the given primary cell.
Answer

2. When 𝒌𝟐 is closed, again the balancing length is

measured.
𝜺 𝝓𝒍
𝑽 = 𝝓𝒍𝟐 → (𝟐), we get = 𝟏
𝑽 𝝓𝒍𝟐
𝜺 𝒍𝟏
= → (𝟑)
𝑽 𝒍𝟐
But 𝜺 = 𝒊(𝑹 + 𝒓) and 𝑽 = 𝒊𝑹.
𝜺 𝒊 𝑹+𝒓 𝑹+𝒓
This gives = = → (𝟒)
𝑽 𝒊𝑹 𝑹
 Current Electricity
11 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
11
diagram how the potentiometer is used to determine the internal resistance of
the given primary cell.
Answer
𝑹+𝒓 𝒍𝟏
From equation (𝟑) and (𝟒), =
𝑹 𝒍𝟐

𝒓 𝒍𝟏
𝟏+ =
𝑹 𝒍𝟐

𝒓 𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟏 −𝒍𝟐
= −𝟏=
𝑹 𝒍𝟐 𝒍𝟐

𝒍𝟏 −𝒍𝟐
∴𝒓= 𝑹
𝒍𝟐

Using this formula, internal resistance of the cell is measured.

 Current Electricity
12 Show the variation of current versus graph for GaAs and mark the
(i) Non-linear region (ii) Negative resistance region

Answer

Figure shows variation of current verses voltage for

GaAs.
Decrease of current is possible with increase in voltage
shown in GaAs graph. This fact cannot be explained with
ohm’s law. Hence GaAs are widely used in electronic
circuits.

i) In non-linear region, voltage increases, current also

increases.
ii) In negative resistance region, voltage increases
current decreases.
 Current Electricity
13 A student has two wires of iron and copper pf equal length and diameter. He
first joins two wires in series and passes and electric current through the
combination which increases gradually. After that he joins two wires in parallel
and repeats the process of passing current. Which wire will glow first in each
case?
Answer

1. For a given length and area of cross-section, 𝑹 ∝ 𝝆, 𝝆𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏 > 𝝆𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓

When two wires are joined in series, heat generated,
𝑯 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 ⇒ 𝑯 ∝ 𝑹, 𝑯 ∝ 𝝆.
So, iron wire glows first.

2. When the wires are connected in parallel, heat generated,

𝑽𝟐 𝒕 𝟏 𝟏 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
𝑯= ⇒𝑯∝ ⇒𝑯∝ ; 𝑹=
𝑹 𝑹 𝝆 𝑹𝟏 +𝑹𝟐
Effective resistance decreases, so copper wire glows first.
 Current Electricity
14 Three identical resistors are connected in parallel and total resistance of the
circuit is R/3. Find the value of each resistance.
Answer

𝑹
Given 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹𝟐 = 𝑹𝟑 and 𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝑹𝟑
𝟑

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + 𝑹𝟐
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

𝟏 𝟑 𝑹𝟏 𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟏
= ⇒ 𝑹𝒆𝒒 = ⇒ = ⇒ 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹
𝑹𝒆𝒒 𝑹𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑

∴ 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹𝟐 = 𝑹𝟑 = 𝑹
Current Electricity
 Current Electricity
1 A battery of emf 10 V and internal resistance 𝟑𝛀 is connected to a resistor R.
1) If the current in the circuit is 0.5 A, calculate the value of R.
2) What is the terminal voltage of the battery when the circuit is closed?
𝑹

𝟑𝛀 Answer

1. 𝒊 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝑨
𝟏𝟎 𝑽 𝜺 = 𝒊(𝑹 + 𝒓)
𝜺 𝟏𝟎
𝑹+𝒓= = = 𝟐𝟎
𝒊 𝟎.𝟓
𝑹 = 𝟐𝟎 − 𝒓 = 𝟐𝟎 − 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟕𝛀

2. Terminal voltage, 𝑽 = 𝜺 − 𝒊𝒓
𝑽 = 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟎. 𝟓 × 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟏. 𝟓 = 𝟖. 𝟓 𝑽
 Current Electricity
2 Draw a circuit diagram showing how a potentiometer may be used to find
internal resistance of a cell and establish a formula for it.
Answer

For this, the cell (emf 𝜺) whose internal resistance 𝒓 is to be

determined is connected across a resistance box through a
key 𝑲𝟐 .
1. When the key 𝑲𝟐 is open, the balancing length 𝒍𝟏 is
measured.
𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍𝟏 → (𝟏) 𝝓 is constant.
2. When key 𝑲𝟐 is closed, again the balancing length is
measured.
𝑽 = 𝝓𝒍𝟐 → (𝟐) where 𝑽 = P.D. of the cell

𝜺 𝝓𝒍𝟏 𝜺 𝒍𝟏
Dividing eq (1) by eq (2), we get = ⇒ = → (𝟑)
𝑽 𝝓𝒍𝟐 𝑽 𝒍𝟐
 Current Electricity
2 Draw a circuit diagram showing how a potentiometer may be used to find
internal resistance of a cell and establish a formula for it.
Answer

But 𝜺 = 𝒊(𝑹 + 𝒓) and 𝑽 = 𝒊𝑹. This gives,

𝜺 𝒊 𝑹+𝒓 𝑹+𝒓
= = → (𝟒)
𝑽 𝒊𝑹 𝑹
𝑹+𝒓 𝒍𝟏
From equation (3) and (4), =
𝑹 𝒍𝟐
𝒓 𝒍𝟏 𝒓 𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟏 −𝒍𝟐
𝟏+ = ⇒ = −𝟏=
𝑹 𝒍𝟐 𝑹 𝒍𝟐 𝒍𝟐
𝒍𝟏 − 𝒍𝟐
𝑹 𝒓=
𝒍𝟐
Using this formula, internal resistance of the cell is
measured.
 Current Electricity
3 Derive an expression for the effective resistance when three resistors are
connected in (i) series (ii) parallel.
Answer

(i) Series combination

Consider three resistors of resistance
𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑 connected in series. Let
𝒊be the current flowing through each
resistor. Let 𝑽 be the P.D. across the
series combination.
Let 𝑽𝟏 , 𝑽𝟐 and 𝑽𝟑 be the P.D. across 𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑
respectively then
𝑽 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑
But 𝑽 = 𝒊𝑹, 𝑽𝟏 = 𝒊𝑹𝟏 , 𝑽𝟐 = 𝒊𝑹𝟐 and 𝑽𝟑 = 𝒊𝑹𝟑
𝒊𝑹 = 𝒊𝑹𝟏 + 𝒊𝑹𝟐 + 𝒊𝑹𝟑 ⇒ 𝑹 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑
 Current Electricity
3 Derive an expression for the effective resistance when three resistors are
connected in (i) series (ii) parallel.
Answer
(i) Parallel combination
Consider three resistors of resistance
𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑 connected in Parallel.
Let 𝑽 be the P.D. across each resistor.
Let 𝒊 be the main current.
Let 𝒊𝟏 , 𝒊𝟐 and 𝒊𝟑 be the currents through 𝑹𝟏 , 𝑹𝟐 and 𝑹𝟑 .
Then 𝒊 = 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 + 𝒊𝟑 → 𝟐
𝑽 𝑽 𝑽 𝑽
But 𝒊 = , 𝒊𝟏 = , 𝒊𝟐 = and 𝒊𝟑 =
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝑽 𝑽 𝑽 𝑽
= = =
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑
 Current Electricity
4 a) ‘m’ cells each of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ are connected in parallel.
What is the total emf and internal resistance?
b) Under what conditions is the current drawn from mixed grouping of cell a
maximum?

Answer

a) Consider 𝒎 identical cells each of emf 𝜺, internal

resistance 𝒓 connected in parallel with an external
resistance 𝑹.

Effective emf, 𝜺𝒆𝒇𝒇 = 𝜺 → (𝟏)

Effective internal resistance is
given by,
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝒎
= + + +⋯=
𝒓𝒆𝒒 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓
𝒓
𝒓𝒆𝒒 = → (𝟐)
𝒎
 Current Electricity
4 a) ‘m’ cells each of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ are connected in parallel.
What is the total emf and internal resistance?
b) Under what conditions is the current drawn from mixed grouping of cell a
maximum?

Answer

Current flowing through the circuit is given by,

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒎𝒇
𝒊=
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝜺 𝒎𝜺
𝒊= 𝒓 =
+𝑹 𝒓+𝒎𝑹
𝒎
𝒎𝜺
If 𝑹 ≪ 𝒓, 𝒊 =
𝒓

To get large current, cells may be connected in

parallel to a small external resistance (R).
 Current Electricity
4 a) ‘m’ cells each of emf ‘E’ and internal resistance ‘r’ are connected in parallel.
What is the total emf and internal resistance?
b) Under what conditions is the current drawn from mixed grouping of cell a
maximum?

Answer
b) Current will be maximum when external resistance is equal to total
internal resistance of cells.
𝒓
For parallel combination of ‘m’ cells, 𝑹 =
𝒎
𝒏𝒓
For mixed grouping of cells, 𝑹 =
𝒎
Where,
𝑹 = external resistance
𝒓 = internal resistance of each cell
𝒎 = number of cells
𝒏 = number of cells in each row
 Current Electricity
5 Define electric resistance and write its SI unit. How does the resistance of a
conductor vary if
a) Conductor is stretched to 4 times of its length.
b) Temperature of conductor is increased.

Answer

Resistance: Resistance of a conductor is defines as the ratio of potential difference

across the ends of the conductor to the current flowing through it.

𝑽
𝑹=
𝒊
SI unit → 𝒐𝒉𝒎 (𝛀)
 Current Electricity
5 Define electric resistance and write its SI unit. How does the resistance of a
conductor vary if
a) Conductor is stretched to 4 times of its length.
b) Temperature of conductor is increased.

Answer
𝒍 𝒍𝟐 𝒍𝟐
a) 𝑹 ∝ ⇒𝑹∝ ⇒𝑹∝ (𝑽 = 𝑨𝒍)
𝑨 𝑨𝒍 𝑽

𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹, 𝒍𝟏 = 𝒍, 𝒍𝟐 = 𝟒𝒍

𝟐
𝑹𝟏 𝒍𝟏 𝑹 𝒍𝟐
= ⇒ =
𝑹𝟐 𝒍𝟐 𝑹𝟐 𝟏𝟔𝒍𝟐

𝑹𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝑹

∴ Resistance of the conductor increases sixteen times.

 Current Electricity
5 Define electric resistance and write its SI unit. How does the resistance of a
conductor vary if
a) Conductor is stretched to 4 times of its length.
b) Temperature of conductor is increased.

Answer
b) If the temperature of the conductor increases, resistance of the conductor
increases.
 Current Electricity
When the resistance connected in series with a cell is halved, the current is
6
equal to or slightly greater than double. Why?
Answer

Let a cell of emf ‘E’ of internal resistance ‘r’ is connected in series

with an external resistance ‘R’.

𝑬
The current in the circuit is 𝒊 =
𝑹+𝒓
Depending upon the internal resistor, there arises 3 cases.

1. If cell is ideal:

𝑬
i.e. 𝒓 = 𝟎, 𝒊𝟏 = → (𝟏)
𝑹
𝑹 𝟐𝑬
If resistance is halved 𝑹′ = , 𝒊𝟐 = ⇒ 𝒊𝟐 = 𝟐𝒊𝟏
𝟐 𝑹
 Current Electricity
When the resistance connected in series with a cell is halved, the current is
6
equal to or slightly greater than double. Why?
Answer

𝑬 𝟐𝑬
2. If cell has internal resistance: 𝒊 = , 𝟐𝒊𝟏 = → (𝟏)
𝑹+𝒓 𝑹+𝒓

𝑹
If resistance is halved 𝑹′ = ,
𝟐
𝑬 𝟐𝑬
𝒊𝟐 = 𝑹 =
+𝒓 𝑹+𝟐𝒓
𝟐
𝟐𝑬
𝒊𝟐 = − (𝟐)
𝑹+𝟐𝒓

From (1) and (2) it is clear that 𝒊𝟐 < 𝟐𝒊𝟏

 Current Electricity
When the resistance connected in series with a cell is halved, the current is
6
equal to or slightly greater than double. Why?
Answer

3. If internal resistance = external resistance (𝑹 = 𝒓)

𝑬 𝑬 𝟐𝑬
𝒊𝟏 = ,𝒊 = =
𝟐𝑹 𝟐 𝑹+
𝑹 𝟑𝑹
𝟐

𝒊𝟐 < 𝟐𝒊𝟏
 Current Electricity
7 Two cells of emfs 𝟒. 𝟓 𝑽 and 𝟔. 𝟎 𝑽 and internal resistance 𝟔 𝛀 and 𝟑𝛀 respectively
have their negative terminals joined by a wire of 𝟏𝟖 𝛀 and positive terminals by a
wire 𝟏𝟐𝛀 resistance. A third resistance wire of 𝟐𝟒𝛀 connects middle points of
these wires. Using Kirchhoff’s laws, find the potential difference at the ends of
this third wire.

Answer

Applying loop law to the closed circuit (𝟏), we get

𝟔𝒊𝟏 + 𝟔𝒊𝟏 + 𝟐𝟒 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 + 𝟗𝒊𝟏 = 𝟒. 𝟓
𝟒𝟓𝒊𝟏 + 𝟐𝟒𝒊𝟐 = 𝟒. 𝟓
𝟏𝟓𝒊𝟏 + 𝟖𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟓 → (𝟏)

Applying loop law to the closed circuit 𝑰𝑰 , we get

𝟑𝒊𝟐 + 𝟔𝟐 + 𝟐𝟒 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 + 𝟗𝒊𝟐 = 𝟔
𝟐𝟒𝒊𝟏 + 𝟒𝟐𝒊𝟐 = 𝟔
𝟒𝒊𝟏 + 𝟕𝒊𝟐 = 𝟏 → (𝟐)
 Current Electricity
7 Two cells of emfs 𝟒. 𝟓 𝑽 and 𝟔. 𝟎 𝑽 and internal resistance 𝟔 𝛀 and 𝟑𝛀 respectively
have their negative terminals joined by a wire of 𝟏𝟖 𝛀 and positive terminals by a
wire 𝟏𝟐𝛀 resistance. A third resistance wire of 𝟐𝟒𝛀 connects middle points of
these wires. Using Kirchhoff’s laws, find the potential difference at the ends of
this third wire.

Answer

Solving equations 𝟏 and (𝟐) , we get Current through 𝟐𝟒𝛀 resistor

= 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑 + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟒𝟕 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟕𝑨
Eq 𝟏 × 𝟒, 𝟔𝟎𝒊𝟏 + 𝟑𝟐𝒊𝟐 = 𝟔
𝟔𝟎𝒊 +𝟏𝟎𝟓𝒊𝟐 =𝟏𝟓
Eq 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟓, 𝟏 Potential difference at the ends of 𝟐𝟒𝛀
−𝟕𝟑𝒊𝟐 =−𝟗
𝒊𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑 𝑨 wire = 𝒊𝟏 + 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟕 × 𝟐𝟒
Substituting 𝒊𝟐 value in eq (𝟐),
𝟒𝒊𝟏 + 𝟕 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟑 = 𝟏 ⇒ 𝑽𝟐𝟒𝛀 = 𝟑. 𝟕𝟖𝟓 𝑽
𝟒𝒊𝟏 = 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝟏
𝒊𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟒𝟕 𝑨
 Current Electricity
8 Three resistors each of resistance 10 ohm are connected. In turn, to obtain
(i) Minimum resistance (ii) Maximum resistance. Compute
(a) The effective resistance in each case
(b) The ratio of minimum to maximum resistance so obtained.

Answer

a) Given 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹𝟐 = 𝑹𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝛀
(i) To obtain minimum resistance, they are connected in parallel
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟑
= + + = + + =
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎
𝟏𝟎
⇒ 𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝛀
𝟑

(ii) To obtain maximum resistance they are connected in series

𝑹 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑
𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝟏𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟑𝟎 𝛀
 Current Electricity
8 Three resistors each of resistance 10 ohm are connected. In turn, to obtain
(i) Minimum resistance (ii) Maximum resistance. Compute
(a) The effective resistance in each case
(b) The ratio of minimum to maximum resistance so obtained.

Answer

b) The ratio of minimum resistance to maximum,

𝑹𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎
= =
𝑹𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟑×𝟑𝟎 𝟗𝟎

𝑹𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝟏
=
𝑹𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟗
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer

Kirchhoff’s current law (or) first law:

“The algebraic sum of the currents meeting at any junction in a circuit is zero”
෍𝒊 = 𝟎

𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟑 + 𝑰𝟓 = 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑰𝟒
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer

Kirchhoff’s voltage law (or) second law:

“In any closed circuit the algebraic sum of the products of currents and
resistances is equal to the algebraic sum of emf’s”
෍ 𝒊𝑹 = ෍ 𝜺

“In any closed circuit the algebraic sum of the

potential differences of equal to zero.”

෍𝑽 = 𝟎
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer
Wheatstone bridge: Wheatstone bridge consists of four
resistances 𝑷, 𝑸, 𝑹 and 𝑺 connected as shown in figure to form
four junctions 𝑨, 𝑩, 𝑪 and 𝑫.

Between junctions 𝑨 and 𝑪 a battery of emf 𝜺 is connected.

Between junctions 𝑩 and 𝑫, a galvanometer 𝑮 is connected.

Applying Kirchhoff’s first law for the junction 𝑩, 𝒊𝟏 − 𝒊𝒈 − 𝒊𝟑 = 𝟎 → (𝟏)

For junction 𝑫, 𝒊𝟐 + 𝒊𝒈 − 𝒊𝟒 = 𝟎 → (𝟐)

 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer
Applying Kirchhoff’s second for a closed mesh 𝑨𝑩𝑫𝑨,
𝒊𝟏 𝑷 + 𝒊𝒈 𝑮 − 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 = 𝟎 → (𝟑)

Applying Kirchhoff’s second for a closed mesh 𝑩𝑪𝑫𝑩,

𝒊𝟑 𝑸 + 𝒊𝟒 𝑺 − 𝒊𝒈 𝑮 = 𝟎 → (𝟒)

When no current passing through the galvanometer,

𝒊𝒈 = 𝟎 the bridge is said to be balanced.

Using 𝒊𝒈 = 𝟎 in above equation, 𝒊𝟏 = 𝒊𝟑 → 𝟓 , 𝒊𝟐 = 𝒊𝟒 → (𝟔)

𝒊𝟏 𝑷 = 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 → 𝟕 , 𝒊𝟑 𝑸 = 𝒊𝟒 𝑺 → (𝟖)
 Current Electricity
9 State Kirchhoff's law for an electrical network. Using these laws deduce the
condition for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.
Answer
𝒊𝟏 𝑷 𝒊𝟐 𝑹 𝒊𝟏 𝑷 𝒊𝟐 𝑹
Dividing equation (𝟕) by 𝟖 , = = =
𝒊𝟑 𝑸 𝒊𝟒 𝑺 𝒊𝟏 𝑸 𝒊𝟐 𝑺

𝑷 𝑹
= This is the principle of Wheatstone bridge.
𝑸 𝑺
 Current Electricity
10 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
diagram how emf of two primary cells are compared by using the
potentiometer.

Answer

Principle: It works on the principle that potential difference across any part is
directly proportional to the length.
𝜺∝𝒍
𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍 where 𝝓 =Potential drop per unit length.
Comparison of emf’s of two cells:
1. Figure shows two cells of emf’s 𝜺𝟏 and 𝜺𝟐 . The point
marks 1, 2, 3 form a two-way key.

2. Consider the first position of the key where 1 and 3

are connected, so the galvanometer is connected
to 𝜺𝟏
 Current Electricity
10 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
diagram how emf of two primary cells are compared by using the
potentiometer.

Answer
3. The jockey is moved along the wire till at a point 𝑵𝟏 ,
the balancing length 𝒍𝟏 from A is measured. 𝜺𝟏 = 𝝓𝒍𝟏 →
(𝟏)

3. Now the second position of the key where 2 and 3

4are connected, so the galvanometer is connected to
𝜺𝟐 .

4. The jockey is moved along the wire till at a point 𝑵𝟐 ,

the balancing length 𝒍𝟐 from A is measured.
𝜺 + 𝟐 = 𝝓𝒍𝟐 → (𝟐)
 Current Electricity
10 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
diagram how emf of two primary cells are compared by using the
potentiometer.

Answer
Dividing equation (𝟏) equation (𝟐)
𝜺𝟏 𝝓𝒍
= 𝟏
𝜺𝟐 𝝓𝒍𝟐

𝜺𝟏 𝒍𝟏
= → (𝟑)
𝜺𝟐 𝒍𝟐

Using the above formula, the emf’s of two given

cells is compared.
 Current Electricity
11 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
11
diagram how the potentiometer is used to determine the internal resistance of
the given primary cell.
Answer

Principle: It works on the principle that potential difference across any point is
directly proportional to the length.
𝜺∝𝒍
𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍
Determination of internal resistance of a primary cell:
For this the cell (emf 𝜺) whose internal resistance 𝒓 is to be
determined is connected across a resistance box through a
key 𝒌𝟐 .

1. When the key 𝒌𝟐 is open, the balancing 𝒍𝟏 is measured.

𝜺 = 𝝓𝒍𝟏 → 𝟏 𝝓 is a constant.
 Current Electricity
11 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
11
diagram how the potentiometer is used to determine the internal resistance of
the given primary cell.
Answer

2. When 𝒌𝟐 is closed, again the balancing length is

measured.
𝜺 𝝓𝒍
𝑽 = 𝝓𝒍𝟐 → (𝟐), we get = 𝟏
𝑽 𝝓𝒍𝟐
𝜺 𝒍𝟏
= → (𝟑)
𝑽 𝒍𝟐
But 𝜺 = 𝒊(𝑹 + 𝒓) and 𝑽 = 𝒊𝑹.
𝜺 𝒊 𝑹+𝒓 𝑹+𝒓
This gives = = → (𝟒)
𝑽 𝒊𝑹 𝑹
 Current Electricity
11 State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit
11
diagram how the potentiometer is used to determine the internal resistance of
the given primary cell.
Answer
𝑹+𝒓 𝒍𝟏
From equation (𝟑) and (𝟒), =
𝑹 𝒍𝟐

𝒓 𝒍𝟏
𝟏+ =
𝑹 𝒍𝟐

𝒓 𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟏 −𝒍𝟐
= −𝟏=
𝑹 𝒍𝟐 𝒍𝟐

𝒍𝟏 −𝒍𝟐
∴𝒓= 𝑹
𝒍𝟐

Using this formula, internal resistance of the cell is measured.

 Current Electricity
12 Show the variation of current versus graph for GaAs and mark the
(i) Non-linear region (ii) Negative resistance region

Answer

Figure shows variation of current verses voltage for

GaAs.
Decrease of current is possible with increase in voltage
shown in GaAs graph. This fact cannot be explained with
ohm’s law. Hence GaAs are widely used in electronic
circuits.

i) In non-linear region, voltage increases, current also

increases.
ii) In negative resistance region, voltage increases
current decreases.
 Current Electricity
13 A student has two wires of iron and copper pf equal length and diameter. He
first joins two wires in series and passes and electric current through the
combination which increases gradually. After that he joins two wires in parallel
and repeats the process of passing current. Which wire will glow first in each
case?
Answer

1. For a given length and area of cross-section, 𝑹 ∝ 𝝆, 𝝆𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏 > 𝝆𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓

When two wires are joined in series, heat generated,
𝑯 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 ⇒ 𝑯 ∝ 𝑹, 𝑯 ∝ 𝝆.
So, iron wire glows first.

2. When the wires are connected in parallel, heat generated,

𝑽𝟐 𝒕 𝟏 𝟏 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
𝑯= ⇒𝑯∝ ⇒𝑯∝ ; 𝑹=
𝑹 𝑹 𝝆 𝑹𝟏 +𝑹𝟐
Effective resistance decreases, so copper wire glows first.
 Current Electricity
14 Three identical resistors are connected in parallel and total resistance of the
circuit is R/3. Find the value of each resistance.
Answer

𝑹
Given 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹𝟐 = 𝑹𝟑 and 𝑹𝒆𝒒 = 𝑹𝟑
𝟑

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + 𝑹𝟐
𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

𝟏 𝟑 𝑹𝟏 𝑹 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟏
= ⇒ 𝑹𝒆𝒒 = ⇒ = ⇒ 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹
𝑹𝒆𝒒 𝑹𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑

∴ 𝑹𝟏 = 𝑹𝟐 = 𝑹𝟑 = 𝑹
1.State Kirchhoffs law for an elêctrical network. Using these laws deduce the condition
for balance in a Wheatstone bridge.

Answer:

1) Kirchhoff s first law (Junction rule or KCL) : The algebraic sum of the currents at any junction is zero.

∴ ΣI = 0

(or)

The sum of the currents flowing towards a junction is equal to the sum of currents away from the junction.
Kirchhoffs second law (Loop rule or KVL):
The algebraic sum of potential around any closed loop is zero.
∴ Σ(IR) + ΣE = 0
Wheatstone bridge :
Wheatstone’s bridge circuit consists of four resistances R1, R2, R3 and R4 are connected to form a closed
path. A cell of emf e is connected between the point A and C and a galvanometer is connected between
the points B and D as shown in fig. The current through the various branches are indicated in the figure.
The current through the galvanometer is Ig and the resistance of the galvanometer is G.
Applying Kirchhoffs first law at the junction D,
I1 – I3 – Ig = 0 —— (1)
at the junction B,
I2 + Ig – I4 = 0 —— (2)
 Applying Kirchhoffs second law to the closed path ADBA,

-I1R1-IgG + I2R2 = 0

Or I1R1 + IgG = I2R2 —– (3)

applying kirchhoffs second law to the closed path DCBD,

-I3R3 + I4R4 + IgG = 0

⇒ I3R3 – IgG = I4R4 —– (4)

When the galvanometer shows zero deflection the points D and B are at the same potential.

So Ig = 0.

Substituting this value in (1), (2), (3) and (4).

I1 = I3 ——- (5)

I2 = I4 —— (6)

I1R1 = I2R2 —– (7)

I3R3 = I4R4 —– (8)

Dividing (7) by (8)

2.State the working principle of potentiometer. Explain with the help of circuit diagram how the
emf of two primary cells are compared by using the potentiometer.

Answer:

Working principle of potentiometer : The potential difference across a length of the potentiometer wire is
directly proportional to its length

(or)

when a steady current is passed through a uniform wire, potential drop per unit length or potential gradient
is constant,

ε ∝ l ⇒ ε = ϕl where ϕ is potential gradient.

Comparing the emf of two cells ε1 and ε2 :

To compare the emf of two cells of emf E1 and E2 with potentiometer

is shown in diagram.
The points marked 1, 2, 3 form a two way key.

Consider first a position of the key where 1 and 3 are connected so that the galvanometer is
connected to ε1.

The Jockey is moved along the wire till at a point N1 at a distance l1 from A, there is no
deflection in the galvanometer.

Then ε1 ∝ l1 ⇒ ε1 = ϕl1 —– (1)

Similarly, if another emf ε2 is balanced against l2

then ε2 ∝ l2 ⇒ ε2 = ϕl2 —— (2)

a. (1)/(2) ⇒ε/1/ε2 =l1/l2

3.Draw a circuit diagram showing how a potentiometer may be used to find Internal resistance of a cell
and establish a formula for It.

4.State the working principle of potentiometer explain with the help of circuit diagram how the potentiometer
is used to determine the internal resistance of the given primary cell.

Working principle of potentiometer :

The potential difference across a length of the potentiometer wire is directly proportional to its length (or)
when a steady current is passed through a uniform wire, potential drop per unit length or potential gradient
is constant.

E ∝ l ⇒ e = ϕl

where ϕ is potential gradient.

Measurement of internal resistance (r) with potentiometer:
Potentiometer to measure internal resistance (r) of a cell (ε) is

shown in diagram.

The cell (emf ε) whose internal resistance (r) is to be determined

is connected across a resistance box (R.B) through a key K2.

With key K2 open, balance is obtained at length l1(AN1). Then ε = ϕl1 ——-> (1)

When key K2 is closed, the cell sends a current (T) through the resistance box (R.B).

If V is the terminal potential difference of the cell and balance is obtained at length l2.

Then V = ϕl2 ——> (2)

(1)/(2) ⇒ε/V =l1/l2 —– (3)

But ε = I (r + R) and V = IR. This gives