Chapter 10
Class 7
Electric Current and it’s Effects
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TRIGGER TIME
Q1. Can we see electrical charges flowing in the circuit?
Ans – No, we can only observe the effects.
Q2. Can you say that the flow of electric current produces heat? Explain.
Ans – When electric current flows through a conductor, it produces heat due to the collisions between the
moving electrons and the atoms within the conductor, causing the atoms to vibrate and generate thermal
energy.
Q3. Can we put off the fire caused by short circuiting using water? Why / Why not?
Ans – No, because water is a conductor of electricity and can lead to severe electric shock instead carbon
dioxide extinguisher should be used.
Q4. Why do you observe a deflection in the compass needle when it is placed close to a wire carrying current?
Ans – The flowing current creates a magnetic field around the wire, resulting in a visible deflection.
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LOOK BEYOND
Q1. Can you charge the battery of your inverter with Sun's energy?
Ans – Yes, by connecting solar panels to a charge controller.
Q2. Research and gather information on it
(a) What do the stars in the red area show?
Ans – They helps to compare the energy efficiency of different models.
(b) What is BEE Star Rating?
Ans - A BEE star rating is a rating that indicates how energy efficient an appliance is
(c) What type of appliances have such a labelling?
Ans -The BEE star rating is used for a wide range of appliances, including air conditioners, ceiling fans,
refrigerators, geysers, and more.
Q3. How MCB are better than normal electric fuses?
Ans – MCBs are safer and more reliable than fuses because they respond faster to electrical faults and
prevent damage to devices. Unlike fuses, MCBs can be reused after tripping, making them more
convenient and cost-effective.
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THINK BEYOND
Q1. Why do we use copper wire for making connections in a circuit but insulate it with plastic/ rubber
covering?
Ans – Copper wires are used for electrical connections because they are excellent conductors of electricity. The
plastic or rubber covering acts as an insulator, preventing accidental shocks.
Section A
[Link] QUESTIONS:
1. What will happen if we put a thick wire to protect the fuse from burning?
Ans – Using a thick wire instead of a fuse can cause overheating and potentially lead to a fire. Thick wires
have lower resistance than thin wires, so they allow more current to pass through.
2. Why is permanent magnet not used in an electric bell?
Ans -A permanent magnet is not used in an electric bell because an electric bell relies on the principle of
electromagnetism, which allows for a rapid on-and-off switching of the magnetic field, if a permanent
magnet were used, the bell’s hammer would be continuously attracted.
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[Link] RIDDLES
1.I am the movement of electric charge through a conductor. I can power your devices and light up your
world. What am I? Ans – Cell / Battery.
2.I am a safety device that cuts off the flow of electric current if there is too much of
it. What am I? Ans – Electric fuse / MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)
3. I am a phenomenon that occurs when electric current flows through a conductor and produces a
magnetic field. What am I? Ans – Magnetic Effect of Electric Current
Ans – No, it was not used that’s was spark was seen due to excessive current flow in the circuit/ socket.
SECTION – B
[Link] two examples where heating effect of current is useful to us.
Ans - (i) An electric iron which uses electricity to heat up and iron clothes
(ii) An electric bulb where the filament inside glows due to the heat generated by the electric current passing
through it, producing light.
Ans – 4 Cells
[Link] a CFL a better alternative to a common electric bulb?
Ans – CFL are very efficient, long lasting and consume less electricity.
[Link] one of the following will melt first and why?
(a) filament of an electric bulb (b) heating element of an electric heater
Ans – The filament of an electric bulb will melt first. This is because electric heaters are designed to reach
higher temperatures than the filaments in electric bulbs. The heating element needs to generate intense
heat for heating purposes, leading to a higher melting point compared to the filament in a bulb, which is
designed for light production and operates at lower temperatures.
[Link] ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. A student studies that a fuse wire helps in protecting electrical appliances.
(a) What role does the fuse wire play in an electric circuit?
Ans – It is a safety device that breaks the electric circuit when there is an excessive flow of current in circuit.
(b) Which type of wire is used in a fuse and why?
Ans – It consist of thin wire (generally an alloy of tin and copper) having a low melting point. When
excessive current flow through the circuit the fuse wire melts due to low melting point and hence breaks
the circuit preventing any damage to electrical appliances.
2. Which one is more useful – an electromagnet or a permanent magnet? Give reason.
Ans - An electromagnet is more useful because:
(i) The magnetism of electromagnet can be ‘switched on’ or ‘switch off’ as desired. This is not possible with a
permanent
magnet.
(ii) An electromagnet canbe made very strong by increasing the number of coils and amount of current
passing through it. On the other hand, a permanent magnet cannot be made so strong.
Ans- (b) electromagnet is stronger as it is having more number of turns than (a).
4. A student performed an experiment where she placed a magnetic compass near a current carrying
wire. She notices some deflection in the compass needle.
(a) What causes the deflection of the needle in the compass?
Ans – Magnetic field produced by current carrying wire.
(b) What is the role of the wire in this process?
Ans – It provides path for current to flow.
5. Why do we cover plug pin holes that are within reach of children with sticky tape or a plastic cover when
not in use?
Ans - We cover plug pin holes with sticky tape or a plastic cover to prevent children from inserting their
fingers or objects into the holes, reducing the risk of electric shock or injury.
Ans – (a) Electromagnetism
(b) The iron nail gets attracted to the nail wrapped in wire because on passing current, it behaves like
electromagnet due to magnetic field produced in it.
(c) The role of wire is to create a magnetic field by allowing an electric current to flow through.
Ans – In case of R, the lamp will glow when switch is on because circuit is complete and all the components
are correctly connected.
In case of P, it will glow ,Bulb is connected in parallel arrangement and on putting switch in own position it
will complete the circuit.
In case of Q , as cells are not connected properly.
Ans – (a) Open, as key is not plugged in,
(e) Open, as there is space in connecting wires,
(f) rubber band which is an insulator
4. During an experiment, the same amount of current is passed through conductors, P and Q. Conductor P
causes more obstruction (blockage) to the flow of current as compared to conductor Q. Which of the two
conductors gets heated up more? Why does this happen?
Ans- Conductor P will be heated up more because it causes more obstruction that is more resistance to the
flow of current. So, more will be heat produced.
5.A coil suspended freely points in any direction when no current is passing through it. What happens
when a current is pass through it?
Ans - When a current is passed through a freely suspended coil, it will align itself in a specific direction due
to the magnetic field created by the current, essentially behaving like a magnet and aligning with the
Earth's magnetic field, typically pointing north-south.
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D. APPLICATION BASED QUESTIONS:
1. Sumit has a good understanding of the principles of electric current and their effects. How can this
understanding be applied to the design and construction of electrical circuits for practical applications?
Give one reason for each application.
Ans - Sumit's understanding of electric current can be applied to the design of electrical circuits in practical
ways:
1. Household Circuits: He can use fuses or MCBs to protect circuits from overloading, preventing
electrical fires or damage to appliances.
2. Electric Bells: Sumit can design circuits with electromagnets that work efficiently to make the bell
ring when current flows.
3. Lighting Systems: He can design circuits that allow safe and proper flow of electricity to light
bulbs, ensuring they do not overheat or burn out quickly.
Ans – Bulb in the circuit does not glow because cells are not connected in proper arrangement. They both
are connected by same terminals.
