CURRENT ELECTRICITY

Contents
Particular's Page No.

Theory 001 – 048

Exercise # 1 049 – 060

Exercise # 2 061 – 071

Exercise # 3 071 – 079

Answers 080 – 082

RRP (Reliable Ranker Problems) 083 – 087

Answers 088

SAT (Self Assessment Test) 089 – 092

Answers 093

JEE (Advanced) Syllabus

Electric current: Ohm’s law; Series and parallel arrangements of resistances and cells; Kirchhoff’s laws and
simple applications; Heating effect of current, Galvanometer, Voltmeter, Ammeter, Potentiometer, Wheat
stone bridge , Post office box, Meter bridge.

JEE (Main) Syllabus

Electric current: Ohm’s law; Series and parallel arrangements of resistances and cells; Kirchhoff’s laws and
simple applications; Heating effect of current, Galvanometer, Voltmeter, Ammeter, Potentiometer, Wheat
stone bridge , Post office box, Meter bridge.

Note: Marked Questions can be used for Revision.

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CURRENT ELECTRICITY

ELECTRIC CURRENT
If a charge Q crosses an area in time t then the average electric current through the area, during this time as

Q
• Average current Iav =
t

Q dQ
• Instantaneous current I Lim
t 0 t dt
• Current is a fundamental quantity with dimension [M0L0T0A¹ ]
• Current is a scalar quantity with its S unit ampere.
• The conventional direction of current is the direction of flow of positive charge or applied field. It is opposite to
direction of flow of negatively charged electrons.

I E I E
+ + - -
+ + - -

• The conductor remains uncharged when current flows through it because the charge entering at one end per
second is equal to charge leaving the other end per second.
• For a given conductor current does not change with change in its cross–section because current is simply rate
of flow of charge.
• If there are n particles per unit volume each having a charge q and moving with velocity v then current through
q
cross–sectional area A is nqvA
t
• If a charge q is moving in a circle of radius r with speed v then its time period is T = 2 r/v. The equivalent current
q qv
.
T 2 r
Movement of electrons inside conductor in the absence of applied potential difference:
In absence of applied potential difference the free electrons present in a conductor gain energy from temperature
of surrounding and move randomly in the conductor. The average displacement and average velocity is zero.
There is no flow of current due to thermal motion of free electrons in a conductor.

1 3
The speed gained by virtue of temperature is called as thermal speed of an electron mv 2rms kt
2 2

3kT
So thermal speed v rms = where m is mass of electron
m
At room temperature T = 300 K, v rms = 105 m/s

Movement of electrons inside conductor in the presence of applied potential difference

When two ends of a conductors are joined to a battery then one end is at higher potential and another at lower
potential. This produces an electric field inside the conductor from point of higher to lower potential

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V
E= where V = emf of the battery, L = length of the conductor..
L
The field exerts an electric force on free electrons then the electrons start moving with an acceleration and due
to collision with other atoms & electrons, its average velocity becomes nearly constant and is called as drift

F eE
velocity. Acceleration of electron a=
m m

DRIFT VELOCITY
Drift velocity is defined as the velocity with which the free electrons get drifted towards the positive terminal
under the effect of the applied external electric field.

e–
I

Under the action of electric field :

Random motion of an electron
with superimposed drift

At any given time, an electron has a velocity v1 u1 a 1 , where u1 = the thermal velocity and
a 1
= the velocity acquired by the electron under the influence of the applied electric field.
1
= the time that has elapsed since the last collision. Similarly, the velocities of the other electrons are
v2 u2 a 2 , v3 u3 a 3 ,...v N uN a N .

The average velocity of all the free electrons in the conductor is equal to the drift velocity v d of the free electrons

v1 v2 v3 ...v N (u1 a 1 ) (u 2 a 2 ) ... (u N a N) (u1 u 2 ... u N ) 1 2 ... N

vd a
N N N N

u1 u 2 ... u N 1 2 ... N eE
0 vd a vd a –
N N m
Note : Order of drift velocity is 10–4 m/s.

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Relation between current and drift velocity :
Let n= number density of free electrons and A= area of cross–section of conductor.
Number of free electrons in conductor of length L = nAL, Total charge on these free electrons q neAL
L
Time taken by drifting electrons to cross conductor t
vd
q vd
current I= = neAL = neAv d
t L
total distance travelled
• Mean free path : ( ~10Å) =
number of collisions
• Relaxation time : The time taken by an electron between two successive collisions is called as
relaxation time . ( ~10–14s),
total time taken
Relaxation time :
number of collisions
•
Terms Thermal speed Mean free path Relaxation time Drift speed
vT vd

Order 105 m/s 10 Å 10–14 m/s 10–4 m/s

• If a steady current flows in a metallic conductor of non uniform cross section. A2
Current density and drift velocity depends on area A1

I 1 = I 2 , A1 < A 2 J1 > J2 , E1 > E2 , v d1 vd2

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 1. Estimate the average drift speed of conduction electrons in a copper wire of cross-sectional
area 1.0 × 10–7 m 2 carrying a current of 1.5 A. Assume that each copper atom contributes
roughly one conduction electron. The density of copper is 9.0 × 10 3 kg m –3 and its atomic
mass is 63.5 amu.
Solution: Mass of copper per unit volume = 9 × 103 kg
9 6.023 10 29
Atoms of Cu per unit volume = = n.
63.5
i = neA Vd.
1.5 63.5
Vd = 19 7 29
= 1.1 0 × 10–3 ms–1.
1.6 10 10 9 6.023 10

CURRENT DENSITY (J)

Current density at any point inside a conductor is defined as a vector having magnitude equal to current per unit
area surrounding that point. Remember area is normal to the direction of charge flow (or current passes)
through that point.
dI
• Current density at point P is given by J n
dA
• If the cross–sectional area is not normal to the current, but makes an angle with the direction of current then
dI dI = JdA cos = [Link] I J . dA
J
dA cos
• Current density J is a vector quantity. It's direction is same as that of E . It's S.I. unit is
ampere/m2 and dimension [L–2A].
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S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 2. A potential difference applied to the ends of a wire made up of an alloy drives a current through it.
The current density varies as J = 3 + 2r, where r is the distance of the point from the axis. If R be
the radius of the wire, then the total current through any cross section of the wire.
Solution: Consider a circular strip of radius r and thickness dr
dr
dI = [Link] 3 2r 2 rdr cos 0 2 3r 2r 2 dr
r
2 R 2 3
R 3r 2 3 3R 2R
I 2 3r 2r 2 dr 2 r 2 units R
0 2 3 0 2 3

Relation between Current Density, Conductivity and Electric field

Let the number of free electrons per unit volume in a conductor = n
Total number of electrons in dx distance = n (Adx) A
Total charge dQ = n (Adx)e I
dx
dQ dx I
Current I nAe = neAv d , Current density J = nev d
dt dt A V

2
eE eE ne ne 2
= ne vd J E J = E, where conductivity
m m m m
depends only on the material of the conductor and its temperature.
In vector form J E Ohm's law (at microscopic level)

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 3. A cyllindrical conducting wire of radius 0.2 mm is carrying a current of 20 mA . (a) How many
electrons are transferred per second between the supply and the wire at one end? (b) Write down
the current density in the wire.
3
20 10
Solution: (a) no of electrons passing per second
e
3
20 10 2 10 17
= 19 = = 1.25 × 1017.
1.6 10 1.6
3
20 10 1
(b) j = –3 2 = × 106 A/m2.
( 0.2 10 ) 2

RELATION BETWEEN POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE AND CURRENT (Ohm's Law)

Vector form of Ohm's law J E (at microscopic level)
2
ne V
J E , E
m

nAe 2
i = V
2m
Here i V
it is known as Ohm’s law
V
i =
R
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2m
R=
nAe 2
V= R

2m
hence R = .
ne 2 A

so Here R =
A
2m 1
is called resistivity (it is also called specific resistance), and = 2 = , is called conductivity..
ne
Therefore current in conductors is proportional to potential difference applied across its ends. This is
1
Ohm's Law. Units: R ohm( ), ohm meter( m) also called siemens, m 1.
S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 4. The dimensions of a conductor of specific resistance are shown below. Find the resistance of the
conductor across AB, CD and EF.
A D

c
E F

b
a

C
B

c b a
Answer : RAB = , RCD = , REF =
ab ac bc
Solution : For a condition

Re sistivity length
R= =
A Area of cross sec tion

c b a
RAB = , RCD = , REF =
ab ac bc

Example 5. A copper wire of length ‘ ’ and radius ‘r’ is nickel plated till its final radius is 2r. If the resistivity of the
copper and nickel are Cu and Ni, then find the equivalent resistance of wire?

2r Ni
Solution: R= ; Resistance of copper wire RCu = Cu 2 r
A r Cu
( A = r2)
L

ANi = (2r)2 – r2 = 3 r2 Resistance of Nickel wire RNi = Ni

3 r2

R Cu R Ni Cu Ni
Both wire are connected in parallel. So equivalent resistance R =
R Cu R Ni 3 Cu Ni r2

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Example 6. Figure shows a conductor of length carrying current I and having a circular
cross – section. The radius of cross section varies linearly from a to b. b
Assuming that (b – a) << . Calculate current density at distance x from left a
end.
Solution: Since radius at left end is a and that of right end is b,
Therefore increase in radius over length is (b – a).

b a b a
Hence rate of increase of radius per unit length = Increase in radius over length x = x

b a
Since radius at left end is a so radius at distance x, r = a + x

2
b a
Area at this particular section A = r2 = a x

I I I
Hence current density J = 2 2
A r x(b a)
a

Dependence of Resistance on various factors

2m
R
A ne 2 A

Therefore R depends as
(1)

1
(2)
A

1 1
(3)
n
(4) and in metals decreases as T increases R also increases.
Results
(a) On stretching a wire (volume constant)

2
R1 1
If length of wire is taken into account then R 2
2 2

R1 r24
If radius of cross section is taken into account then R , where R1 and R2 are initial and final
2 r14

resistances and 1, 2 , are initial and final lengths and r1 and r2 initial and final radii respectively. (if
elasticity of the material is taken into consideration, the variation of area of cross-section is calculated

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with the help of Young’s modulus and Poison’s ratio)
(b) Effect of percentage change in length of wire
2
2 x
1
R2 100
2 where - original length and x- % increment
R1
if x is quite small (say < 5%) then % change in R is
2
x
1 1
R 2 R1 100
100 100 2x %
R1 1

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 7. If a wire is stretched to double its length, find the new resistance if original resistance of
the wire was R.

Solution : As we know that R =

A

'
in case R =
A'

' 2
A' ' A (volume of the wire remains constant)
A 2
A' R = = 4 = 4R
2 A/2 A

Example 8. The wire is stretched to increase the length by 1% find the percentage change in the
Resistance.
Solution : As we known that

R=
A

R A A
= + – and = –
R A A

R
= O + 1 +1 = 2
R
Hence percentage increase in the Resistance = 2%

Note : Above method is applicable when % change is very small.

Tempe rature De pend ence of Resis tivity an d Resista nce :

The resistance and resistivity of a metallic conductor nearly increases with increasing temperature.
This is because, with the increase in temperature the ions of the conductor vibrate with greater amplitude,
and the collision between electrons and ions become more frequent.
= temperature coefficient of resistivity.
= fractional change in resistivity per unit change in temperature
d d
= or,
dT dT
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d
dT ( can be assumed constant for small temperature variation )

T
d
dT
0 T0

In = (T – T 0)
0

( T T0 )
0e
if (T – T 0) << 1 then
e ( T T0 ) can approximately be written as 1 + (T – T 0).
Hence over a small temperature range (upto 100ºC), the resistivity of a metal can be represented
approximately by the equation,

(T) = 0 [1 + (T – T 0)]
where, 0 is the resistivity at a reference temperature T 0 (often taken as 0ºC or 20ºC) and (T) is the
resistivity at temperature T.
The resistance of a given conductor depends on its length and area of cross-section besides the
resistivity. As temperature changes, the length and area also change. But these changes are quite
small and the factor /A may be treated as constant.
Then, R
and hence, R(T) = R0 [1 + (T – T 0)]
In this equation R(T) is the resistance at temperature T and R 0 is the resistance at temperature T 0.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 9. The resistance of a thin silver wire is 1.0 at 20ºC. The wire is placed in liquid bath and
its resistance rises to 1.2 . What is the temperature of the bath ? (Here = 10–2 /ºC)
Solution : Here change in resistance is small so we can apply
R = R0(1 + )
1.2 = 1 × (1 + 10–2 ) = 20ºC
– 20 = 20 = 40º CAns.

1
Example 10. A conductive wire has resistance of 10 ohm at 0ºC, and is /ºC, then determine its
273
resistance at 273ºC.
Solution : In such a problem, term T will have a larger value so could not be used directly in
R = R0 (1 + T). We need to go for basics as

dR
As we know that =
RdT

dR R2
= dT n = (T2 – T1)
R R1

( T2 T1 )
R2 = R1e R2 = 10e1
R2 = 10 e

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Example 11. (i) A potential difference of 200 volt is applied to a coil at a temperature of 15ºC and the current
is 10 A. What will be the temperature of the coil when the current has fallen to 9 A, the
applied voltage being the same as before? temperature coefficient of resistance =
1
ºC–1.
234
(ii) A platinum wire has resistance of 10 ohm at 0ºC and 20 ohm at 273 ºC. Find the value of
temperature coefficient of resistance.

n2
Answer : (i) 41ºC (ii) ºC–1 .
273

200 200
Solution: (i) R15 = = 20 . ,Rt =
10 9

200 t
Rt = R15 (1 + t) = 20 1
9 234

t 1 234
= t= = 26 t = 26 + 15 = 41º C.
234 9 9

273 20
1 dR dR
(ii) = dt =
R dt R
0 10

20 n2 o
.273 = n = C–1.
10 273

Electric current in resistance:

In a resistor current flows from high potential to low potential
If V1 > V2
then current will flow from A to B

V1 V2
and i =
R

If V1 < V2

V2 V1
then current will go from B to A and i =
R

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 12. Calculate current (i) flowing in part of the circuit shown in figure?

15V 9V

6
Solution : VA – VB = i×R i= = 3A Ans.
2

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COLOUR CODE FOR CARBON RESISTORS

Colour Strip A Strip B Strip C Strip D
(Tolerance)
0
Black 0 0 10
1
Brown 1 1 10
2
R ed 2 2 10
3
Orange 3 3 10
4
Y ellow 4 4 10
5
Green 5 5 10
6
Blue 6 6 10 Aid to memory BBROY
7
V iolet 7 7 10 Great Britain
8
Grey 8 8 10 Very Good watch of gold & silver
9
W hite 9 9 10
-1
Gold - - 10 ±5%
-2
Silver - - 10 ± 10 %
No colour - - - ± 20 %

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 13. Draw a colour code for 42 k ± 10% carbon resistance.
Solution: According to colour code colour for digit 4 is yellow, for digit 2 it is red, for 3 colour is orange and
1 0% tolerance is represented by silver colour. So colour code should be yellow, red, orange and
silver.
Example 14. What is resistance of following resistor.

Violet Gold

Yellow Brown
Solution: Number for yellow is 4, Number of violet is 7
Brown colour gives multiplier 101, Gold gives a tolerance of ± 5%
So resistance of resistor is 47 × 101 ± 5% = 470 ± 5% .

ELECTRICAL POWER
Energy liberated per second in a device is called its power. The electrical power P delivered or consumed
by an electrical device is given by P = VI, where V = Potential difference across the device and
= Current.
If the current enters the higher potential point of the device then electric power is consumed by it
(i.e. acts as load). If the current enters the lower potential point then the device supplies power (i.e.
acts as source).

[Link]
Power =
dt
=V
P = V
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If power is constant then energy = P t
If power is variable then

Energy = pdt

Power consumed by a resistor

2
V2
P= R =V = .
R
When a current is passed through a resistor energy is wasted in overcoming the resistance of the
wire. This energy is converted into heat.

V2
W =Vt= 2
Rt = t
R
The heat generated (in joules) when a current of ampere flows through a resistance of R ohm for t
second is given by:
2
I2 Rt
H= Rt Joule = Calorie
4.2
1 unit of electrical energy = 1 Kilowatt hour = 1 KWh = 3.6 x 10 6 Joule.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 15. A resistor with a current of 3 A through it converts 500 J of electrical energy to heat energy in
12 s. What is the voltage across the resistor?
125
Ans . V
9
W
Solution: V=
Q
Q=I×t
= 3 × 12 = 36 C
500 125
V= = V Ans .
36 9
Example 16. 1 kW, 220 V electric heater is to be used with 220 V D.C. supply.
(a) What is the current in the heater.
(b) What is its resistance.
(c) What is the power dissipated in the heater.
(d) How much heat in calories is produced per second.
(e) How many grams of water at 100º C will be converted per minute into steam at 100º C with the
heater. (latent heat of vaporisation of water = 540 cal/g)] [J = 4.2 J/cal]
50 22 11
Ans. (a) = 4.55 A (b) = 48.4 (c) 1000 W (d) 240 cal s-1 (e) 80/3 gm
11 5
P 1000 50
Solution: (a) i = = 4.55 A
V 220 11

V2 ( 220)2 22 11
(b) R = = 48.4
P 1000 5
(c) P = 1 kW
Q 1000
(d) H = = 240 cal/sec
J 4.2

Ht 240 60 80
(e) tH = mL m= gm.
L 540 3
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HEATING EFFECT OF CURRENT

CAUSE OF HEATING
The potential difference applied across the two ends of conductor sets up electric field. Under the effect of
electric field, electrons accelerate and as they move, they collide against the ions and atoms in the conductor,
the energy of electrons transferred to the atoms and ions appears as heat.
• Joules's Law of Heating
When a current I is made to flow through a passive or ohmic resistance R for time t, heat Q is produced such that

V2
Q = I2 R t = P × t = V I t = t
R
Heat produced in conductor does not depend upon the direction of current.
• SI unit : joule ; Practical Units : 1 kilowatt hour (kWh)
1kWh = 3.6 × 106 joule = 1 unit 1 BTU (British Thermal Unit) = 1055 J

V2
• Power : P = V I = = I2R • SI unit : Watt
R
The watt–hour meter placed on the premises of every consumer records the electrical energy consumed.
• Series combination of resistors (bulbs)
P1P2 P1,V P2 ,V
Total power consumed Ptotal .
P1 P2
P
If n bulbs are identical Ptotal
n V

1
In series combination of bulbs : Brightness Power consumed by bulb V R
Prated
Bulb of lesser wattage will shine more. For same current P = I 2R P R R P
• Parallel combination of resistors (bulbs)
Total power consumed Ptotal = P1 + P2 P1,V
If n bulbs are identical Ptotal = nP
In parallel combination of bulbs
P2,V
1
Brightness Power consumed by bulb I
R
Bulb of greater wattage will shine more. V

1
For same V more power will be consumed in smaller resistance P
R
• Two identical heater coils gives total heat HS when connected in series and Hp when connected in parallel than
HP
4 [In this, it is assumed that supply voltage is same]
HS
• If a heater boils m kg water in time T1 and another heater boils the same water in T2, then both connected in
T 1T2
series will boil the same water in time Ts = T1 + T2 and in parallel TP [Use time taken Resistance]
T1 T2
• Instruments based on heating effect of current, works on both A.C. and D.C. Equal value of A.C. (RMS) and
D.C. produces, equal heating effect. That why brightness of bulb is same whether it is operated by A.C. or
same value D.C.
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FUSE WIRE
The fuse wire for an electric circuit is chosen keeping in view the value of safe current through the circuit.
Fuse

Washing Machine

DVD Player

Electric Fan
Refrigerator

Computer
Bulb

T.V.
• The fuse wire should have high resistance per unit length and low melting point.
• However the melting point of the material of fuse wire should be above the temperature that will be reached on
the passage of the current through the circuit
• A fuse wire is made of alloys of lead (Pb) and tin (Sn).
• Length of fuse wire is immaterial.
• The material of the filament of a heater should have high resistivity and high melting point.
• The temperature of the wire increases to such a value at which, the heat produced per second equals heat lost

per second due to radiation from the surface of wire I 2 H 2 r I 2 r3

r2
H = heat lost per second per unit area due to radiation.
BATTERY (CELL)
Cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
A battery is a device which maintains a potential difference across its two terminals A and B. Dry
cells, secondary cells, generator and thermocouple are the devices used for producing potential difference
in an electric circuit. Arrangement of cell or battery is shown in figure. Electrolyte provides continuity
for current.

It is often prepared by putting two rods or plates of different metals in a chemical solution. Some
internal mechanism exerts force (Fn ) on the ions (positive and negative) of the solution. This force
drives positive ions towards positive terminal and negative ions towards negative terminal. As positive
charge accumulates on anode and negative charge on cathode a potential difference and hence an
electric field E is developed from anode to cathode. This electric field exerts an electrostatic force

F qE on the ions. This force is opposite to that of Fn . In equilibrium (steady state)

Fn = Fe and no further accumulation of charge takes place.
When the terminals of the battery are connected by a conducting wire, an electric field is developed in
the wire. The free electrons in the wire move in the opposite direction and enter the battery at positive
terminal. Some electrons are withdrawn from the negative terminal. Thus, potential difference and hence,
F e decreases in magnitude while F n remains the same. Thus, there is a net force on the positive
charge towards the positive terminal. With this the positive charge rush towards positive terminal and
negative charge rush towards negative terminal. Thus, the potential difference between positive and
negative terminal is maintained.
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Internal resistance (r) :
The potential difference across a real source in a circuit is not equal to the emf of the cell. The reason is
that charge moving through the electrolyte of the cell encounters resistance. We call this the internal
resistance of the source.
The internal resistance of a cell depends on
• The distance between electrodes (r d).

1
• Area of electrodes (r ) and nature.
s
• Concentration (r c)

1
• Temperature of electrolyte (r ).
Temp.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 17. What is the meaning of 20 Amp. hr ?
Solution : It means if the 20 A current is withdrawn then the battery will work for 1 hour.

20 Amp 1 hr

1 Amp 20 hr

½ Amp 40 hr

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (E.M.F.)

Definition : Electromotive force is the capability of the system to make the charge flow.
Definition II : It is the work done by the battery for the flow of 1 coloumb charge from lower
potential terminal to higher potential terminal inside the battery.
• emf depends on : (i) nature of electrolyte (ii) metal of electrodes
• emf does not depend on : (i) area of plates (ii) distance between the electrodes
(iii) quantity of electrolyte (iv) size of cell
Ideal cell :
Cell in which there is no heating effect.

Non ideal cell :

Cell in which there is heating effect inside due
to opposition to the current flow internally

TERMINAL VOLTAGE (V)

• When current is drawn through the cell or current is E r
supplied to cell then, the potential difference across its
terminals called terminal voltage.
terminal voltage
• When I current is drawn from cell, then terminal voltage is
less than it's e.m.f. V = E – Ir
R

• Terminal Potential Difference : The potential difference between the two electrodes of a cell in a
closed circuit i.e. when current is being drawn from the cell is called terminal potential difference.
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(a) When cell is discharging : E r
Current inside the cell is from cathode to anode.
I I
E
Current E= R+ r=V+ r V=E– r R
r R
When current is drawn from the cell potential difference is less than emf of cell. Greater is the current drawn
from the cell smaller is the terminal voltage. When a large current is drawn from a cell its terminal voltage is
reduced.
E r
(b) When cell is charging :
Current inside the cell is from anode to cathode.
I I
V E k + –
Current V=E+ r V
r
During charging terminal potential difference is greater than emf of cell.
(c) When cell is in open circuit :

E
In open circuit R = 0 V=E
R r
In open circuit terminal potential difference is equal to emf and is the maximum potential difference which a cell
can provide.
(d) When cell is short circuited :

E E
In short circuit R = 0 and V = R = 0
R r r
In short circuit current from cell is maximum and terminal potential difference is zero.
(e) Power transferred to load by cell and maximum power transferred :

E r

I I
R

2 E2R dP
P R P = Pmax if 0 r=R
(r R)2 dR

2
E
Pmax = —
4r
P

R
r=R

Power transferred by cell to load is maximum when

E2 E2
r = R and Pmax =
4r 4R
The efficiency of the cell when it is used to supply maximum power :-

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Power of battery spent

2 2
= 2 .2r =
r r 2r

power (output)

2 2
= r=
r r 4r

2
100
power output 4r 1
Efficiency = = 2 ×100 = 50%
total power spent by cell 2
2r
S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 18. A battery of internal resistance 4 ohm is connected to the network of resistance as shown.
In the order that the maximum power can be delivered to the network, the value of R in
ohm should be :

Solution: Condition for maximum power is

r=R

6R 3R
4=
9R

R = 2 Ans.

Example 19. (a) A car has a fresh storage battery of emf 12 V and internal resistance 5.0 × 10 –2 . If the
starter draws a current of 90 A, what is the terminal voltage of the battery when the starter
is on?
(b) After long use, the internal resistance of the storage battery increases to 500 . What
maximum current can be drawn from the battery? Assume the emf of the battery to remain
unchanged.
(c) If the discharged battery is charged by an external emf source, is the terminal voltage
of the battery during charging greater or less than its emf 12 V?
Answer: (a) 7.5 V, (b) 24 mA (c) greater than 12 V.
Solution: (a) V = E – ir = 12 – 90 × 5 × 10–2 = 12 – 4.5 = 7.5 V

E 12
(b) = = 24 mA
max
r' 500
(c) For charging of battery V = E + ir , V>E V > 12 V

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Example 20. Find the currents through the three resistors shown in figure

Ans. zero in the upper 4 resistor and 0.2 A in the rest two.

4
A i =0 A
Solution:
i1
A A

4 6
i1 i1

4V 2V

Potential difference across upper 4 resistance is zero so current is also zero.

Other two resistors are in series combination so current is same
4 2
= = 0.2 A.
4 6

Not e :
The potential at all points of a wire of zero resistance will be same.
Earthing : If some point of circuit is earthed then its potential is assumed to be zero.

REFERENCE POTENTIAL
While solving an electric circuit it is convenient to chose a reference point and assigning its voltage as
zero, then all other potentials are measured with respect to this point. This point is also called the
common point.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 21. Find the current in each wire

Solution : Let potential at point A is 0 volt then potential of other points is shown in figure.

40 0
current in BG = 40 A from G to B
1

0 ( 30 )
current in FC = 15 A from C to F
2

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0 ( 40 )
current in DE = 20 A from D to E
2
current in wire AH = 40 – 35 = 5 A from A to H

KIRCHHOFF'S LAWS
First law (Kirchhoff’s Current Law or Junction law)
In an electric circuit, the algebraic sum of the current meeting at any junction i2 i3
in the circuit is zero or Sum of the currents entering the Junction is equal
to sum of the current leaving the Junction. i=0
i1 – i2 – i3– i4 + i5 = 0 i1 + i5 = i2+i3 + i4 i1 i5
This is based on law of conservation of charge.
i4
S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 22. Find the current in each wire

Solution :

Let potential at point B = 0. Then potential at other points are mentioned.

Potential at E is not known numerically.
Let potential at E = x
Now applying kirchhoff’s current law at junction E. (This can be applied at any other junction
also).

x 10 x 30 x 14
0
1 2 2
4x = 36 x = 9
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10 9
Current in EF = = 1 A from F to E
1
30 9
Current in BE = 10.5 A from B to E
2
9 ( 14 )
Current in DE = 11 .5 A from E to D
2

Example 23. Find the potential at point A

Solution : Let potential at A = x, applying kirchhoff current law at juction A

x 20 10 x 15 20 x 45 x 30
0
1 2 2 1
2x 60 x 35 x 45 2x 60
0
2
6x + 10 = 0 x = –5/3
5
Potential at A= V
3

Second law (Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law or Loop law) :

In any closed circuit the algebraic sum of all potential differences and e.m.f. is zero. E – IR=0
while moving from negative to positive terminal inside the cell, e.m.f. is taken as positive while moving in the
direction of current in a circuit the potential drop (i.e. IR) across resistance is taken as positive. This law is
based on law of conservation of energy.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 24. For the circuit shown in figure, determine the unknown voltage drop V1 .

Answer: 19 V
Solution: According to Kirchhoffs Voltage Law, the sum of the potential drops equal to the sum of the potential
rises;
Therefore, 30 = 2 + 1 + V1 + 3 + 5
or V1 = 30 – 11 = 19 V Ans.
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Example 25. Find current in the circuit

Solution : all the elements are connected in series

current is all of them will be same
let current = i
Applying kirchhoff voltage law in ABCDA loop
10 + 4i – 20 + i + 15 + 2i – 30 + 3i = 0
10 i = 25
i = 2.5 A

Example 26. Find the current in each wire applying only kirchhoff voltage law

Solution : Applying kirchhoff voltage law in loop ABEFA

i 1 + 30 + 2 (i 1 + i 2) – 10 = 0
3l 1 + 2l 2 + 20 = 0 -------------- (i)
Applying kirchoff voltage law in BEDCB
+ 30 + 2(i 1 + i 2) + 50 + 2i 2 = 0
4i 2 + 2i 1 + 80 = 0
2i 2 + i 1 + 40 = 0 -------------- (ii)
Solving (i) and (ii)

3 40 2i2 + 2i 2 + 20 = 0
– 120 – 4i 2 + 20 = 0
i 2 = –25 A
and i 1 = 10 A
i 1 + i 2 = – 15 A
current in wire AF = 10 A from A to F
current in wire EB = 15 A from B to E
current in wire DE = 25 A from E to D.

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COMBINATION OF RESISTANCES : i R1 i R2 i R3

Series Combination V1 V2 V3
• Same current passes through each resistance
• Voltage across each resistance is directly proportional to it's value V
V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2 , V3 = IR3
• Sum of the voltage across resistance is equal to the voltage applied across the circuit.
V = V1 + V2 + V3
IR = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
R = R1 + R2 + R3 Where R = equivalent resistance R1
Parallel Combination I1
I2
• There is same drop of potential across each resistance. I3 R2
• Current in each resistance is inversely proportional to the I
R3
V V V
value of resistance. I1 , I2 , I3 V
R1 R2 R3
• Current flowing in the circuit is sum of the currents in individual resistance.
V V V V 1 1 1 1
I = I1 + I2 + I3
R R1 R2 R3 R R1 R2 R3

(a) (b)

In the figure (a) and (b) all the resistors are connected between points A and B so they are in parallel.

To get maximum resistance, resistance must be connected in series and in series the resultant is greater than
largest individual.
To get minimum resistance, resistance must be connected in parallel and the equivalent resistance of parallel
combination is lower than the value of lowest resistance in the combination.

Current division in two resistors in parallel :-

i 1R1 = i 2R2

i1 R2
or
i2 R1

R2 i R1 i
i1 = R R , i2 = R R
1 2 1 2

1
Note : Remember this law of i in the resistors connected in parallel. It can be used in problems.
R

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S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 27. Suppose you have three resistors of 20 , 50 and 100 . What minimum and maximum
resistances can you obtain from these resistors ?
Ans. 12.5 , 170
Solution: For maximum resistance, all resistance are in series
Rmax = 20 + 50 + 100 = 170
For minimum resistance, all resistance are in parallel
1 1 1 1 1 2 5 8
Rmin 100 50 20 100 100

100
Rmin = = 12.5
8

Example 28. In the figure shown B1, B2 and B3 are three bulbs rated as (200V, 50 W), (200V, 100W) and
(200 V, 25W ) respectively. Find the current through each bulb and which bulb will give
more light?

2
200
Solution : R1 = ;
50

2 2
200 200
R2 = ; R3 =
100 25
the current following through each bulb is

200 200 100 1

= = = A
R1 R2 R3 2 2 1 4 200 7 14
200
100

Since R3 > R1 > R2

Power consumed by bulb = i 2R
if the resistance is of higher value then it will give more light.
Here Bulb B3 will give more light.
Example 29. In given circuit determine

(a) Equivalent resistance (Including internal resistance).

(b) Current i, i1, i2 and i3
(c) Potential difference across battery and each resistance
(d) The rate at which the chemical energy of the cell is consumed
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(e) The rate at which heat is generated inside the battery
(f) Electric power output
(g) Which resistance consumes maximum power ?
(h) Power dissipated across 4 resistance
Answer: (a) R = 3
1 1
(b) i = 2A, i1 = A, i2 = 1A, i3 = A
2 2
(c) V = 4V in each (d) 12 W
(e) 4W (f) 8 W
(g) 4 (h) 4W
Solution: (a) Req = 2 + 1 = 3
6
(b) i = R = = 2A
eq 3

1 1 1 1
i1 + i2 + i3 = 2 ; i1 : i2 : i3 = : : = 1 : 2 : 1 ; i1 = i3 = A, i2 = 1 A
8 4 8 2
(c) Vacross battery = – ir = 6 – 2 × 1 = 4 V Vacross each cell = 4 V
(d) P of the cell consumed P = i = 12 W
(e) P heat generated in cell P = i2r = 4 W
(f) Poutput = i – i2r = 8 W

1
(g) In parallel , P 4 consumes Max power
R
s a

v2 4 4
(h) P4 = = =4W
R 4

Example 30. In the figure shown each resistor is of 20 and the cell has emf 10 volt with negligible
internal resistance. Then rate of joule heating in the circuit is (in watts)

Solution:

20 20
20
2 3 50 20 100
Req = = Req =
20 20 110 11
20
2 3

V2 (10)2
P= = 11 W .
R 100 / 11

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Example 31. Find the current in Resistance P if voltage supply between A and B is V volts

3R
Solution : Req =
5

5V
I= Modified circuit
3R

5V
R
Current in P = 3R
1.5R R

2V
=
3R
Example 32. In the ladder network shown, current through the resistor 3 is 0.25 A. The input voltage ‘V’ is
equal to

Solution:

Req = 7 + 4 + 9 = 20
V = IReq = 1 × 20 = 20 V

WHEAT STONE BRIDGE

• The configuration in the adjacent figure is called Wheat Stone Bridge.
• If current in galvanometer is zero (Ig = 0) then bridge is said to be balanced

When current through the galvanometer is zero (null point or balance point) V C = VD.

P Ig Q
I1 I1 –Ig
A B
G
I2 I2 +I g
R S
I= I1 +I2 I
D
K

E Ro

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VD = VC
I1P = I2R & I1Q = I2S
P R
Q S
The null point is not affected by resistance in CD branch, E and R 0. It is not affected even if the
positions of Galvanometer and battery (E) are interchanged.
hence, here the circuit can be assumed to be following,

P Q P Q

R S R S

P R
• If then VC > VD and current will flow from C to D.
Q S
P R
• If then VC < VD and current will flow from D to C.
Q S

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 33. In the adjoining network of resistors each is of resistance r . Find the equivalent resistance between
point A and B

r r r

A B
r r
D E

Solution: Given circuit is balanced Wheat stone Bridge

r C r C
B B
r r
r
r r
r A r A
D D

1 1 1 1 R =r
AB
R AB 2r 2r r
Example 34. Find the equivalent resistance between A and B

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Solution : This arrangement can be modified as shown in figure
since it is balanced wheat stone bridge

2R 2R
Req = = R
2R 2R
Example 35. Find the equivalent resistance of the circuit given in figure between the following point:

(i) A and B (ii) C and D (iii) E and F (iv) A and F (v) A and C
Ans. (i) RAB = 5/6 (ii) RCD = 1.5 (iii) REF = 1.5 (iv) RAF = 5/6 (v) RAC = 4/3
5 1 5
Solution: (i) RAB =
5 1 6

3 6
6
3 6 2 6 3
(ii) RCD = 3 6 2 6 2 = 1.5
6
3 6

3 6
4 2
3 6 ( 2 4) 2 3
(iii) REF = 3 6 2 4 2 2 = 1.5
4 2
3 6

5
(iv) RAF = RAB =
6

6 6
1 2
6 6 (3 1) 2 4
(v) RAC = 6 6 (3 1) 2 3
1 2
6 6

Example 36. Determine the value of R in the circuit shown in figure, when the current is zero in the branch CD.

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Solution : The current in the branch CD is zero, if the potential difference across CD is zero.
That means, voltage at point C = voltage at point D.
Since no current is flowing, the branch CD is open circuited. So the same voltage is applied across
ACB and ADB
10 R
V10 = V × VR = V ×
15 20 R
10 R
V10 = VR and V× =V ×
15 20 R
R = 40 Ans.

SYMMETRICAL CIRCUITS
Some circuits can be modified to have simpler solution by using symmetry if they are solved by
traditional method of KVL and KCL then it would take much time.
S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 37. Each resistance is of 1 in the circuit diagram shown in figure. Find out equivalent resistance
between A and B

A B

8
Solution: By symmetric line method RAB = (2 + 1 2) 2 =
7

2 1

2
A B 2

Example 38. Find the equivalent Resistance between A and B

Solution :

Here V A = VC and VB = VD

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Here the circuit can be simplified as

this circuit can be simplified as

4R
2R
Req = 3
10R
3

4R
= Ans.
5

Example 39. Identical resistance of resistance R are connected as in figure then find out net resistance between x
and y.

x y

Solution: Given circuit can be modified according to following figures

F F F

R R R R R
R
A B C B B
D E X Y X Y
X Y R R R R
3 3 3 3
R R R R R R R

G G G

1 1 3 1 5 2R
R xy
R xy 2R 2R 2R 2R 5

Example 40. Find the equivalent Resistance between A and B

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Solution : In this case the circuit has symmetry in the two branches AC and AD at the input
current in them are same but from input and from exit the circuit is not similar
( on left R and on right 2R)
on both sides the distribution of current will not be similar.
Here V c = Vd
hence C and D are same point
the circuit can be simplified that as shown
Now it is balanced wheat stone bridge
3R
3R
2
Req =
3R
3R
2
9
R
2
= = R.
9
2

Example 41. (unbalanced wheat stone bridge) Find the equivalent Resistance between A and B.

5 10

A 5 B

10 5

Solution : It is wheat stone bridge but not balanced. No series parallel connections. But similar values
on input side and output. Here we see that even after using symmetry the circuit does not
reduce to series parallel combination as in previous examples.

applying kirchoff voltage law

v – 10(i – x) – 5x = 0
v – 10i + 5x = 0 ...(1)
10(i – x) – 5 (2x – i) – 5x = 0
10i – 10x – 10 x + 5i – 5x = 0
15i – 25 x = 0

15
x = i 5x = 3i ....(2)
25
Using (2) and (1)
v – 10 i + 3i = 0

v
= 7
i
Req = 7 Ans.

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COMBINATION OF CELLS
• Series combination E1 E2 E3
When the cells are connected in series the total e.m.f. of the A B
series combination is equal to the sum of the e.m.f.'s of the r1 r2 r3
individual cells and internal resistance of the cells also come in I R
series.

Equivalent EMF
Eeq = E1 E2 ....... En [write EMF's with polarity]
Equivalent internal resistance
req = r1 r2 r3 r4 .... rn
If n cells each of emf E, arranged in series and if r is internal resistance of each cell, then total
emf = n E so current in the circuit

nE
=
R nr

nE
If nr << R then = Series combination is advantageous.
R

E
If nr >> R then = Series combination is not advantageous.
r

Not e : If polarity of m cells is reversed, then equivalent emf = (n-2m)E while the equivalent resistance
is still nr+R, so current in R will be
(n 2m)E
i .
nr R
S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 42. A battery of six cells each of e.m.f. 2 V and internal resistance 0.5 is being charged by D. C.
mains of e.m.f. 220 V by using an external resistance of 10 . What will be the charging current.
Solution: Net e.m.f of the battery = 12V and total internal resistance = 3
Total resistance of the circuit = 3 + 10 = 13
6 cells 3
Net e.m.f . 220 12
Charging current I 16 A
total resistance 13 220V
10
Example 43. Find the current in the loop.

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Solution : The given circuit can be simplified as
35 35
i = =
10 5 15
7 7
= A = A
3 3

• Parallel combination
When the cells are connected in parallel, the total e.m.f. of the parallel combination remains equal to the e.m.f.
1 2 .... n
r1 r2 rn
of a single cell and internal resistance of the cell also come in parallel. Eeq
1 1 ..... 1
r1 r2 rn

[Use emf’s with polarity]

1 1 1 1
....
req r1 r2 rn

If m cells each of emf E and internal resistance r be connected in parallel and if this
combination is connected to an external resistance then equivalent emf of the circuit = E.
r
Internal resistance of the circuit = .
m

E mE
and = r
= .
R m mR r

mE
If mR << r ; I= Parallel combination is advantageous.
r

E
If mR >> r ; I= Parallel combination is not advantageous.
R
• Mixed combination
If n cells connected in series and their are m such branches in the circuit then total number of identical cell in
this circuit is nm. The internal resistance of the cells connected in a row = nr . Since there are such m rows,
nr
Total internal resistance of the circuit rnet
m E r E r E r
Total e.m.f. of the circuit = total e.m.f. of the cells connected in a row
Enet = nE E r E r E r

E net nE
Current in the circuit I I
R rnet nr E r E r E r
R
m R

Current in the circuit is maximum when external resistance in the circuit is equal to the total internal resistance
nr
of the cells R
m
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• Series combination is useful when internal resistance is less than external resistance of the cell.
• Parallel combination is useful when internal resistance is greater than external resistance of the cell.
• Power in R (given resistance) is maximum, if its value is equal to net resistance of remaining circuit.
• Internal resistance of ideal cell = 0
• if external resistance is zero than current given by circuit is maximum.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 44. In the figure each cell has an emf of 1.5 V and internal resistance of 0.40 . Calculate:

A > B

12 18 36 1.8

D C

(i) current
(ii) current in the 36 resistor
(iii) potential difference across A and B.
1 1 1
Ans. (i) = 0.5 A (ii) = 0.0833 A (iii) 1.5 0.4 = 1.7 V
2 12 2
Solution: (i) Effective emf = 4 × 1.5 – 1.5 = 4.5 V
(ii) Effective internal resistance
4 0.4
req = + 0.4 = 1.2 Req = 6 + 1.8 + 1.2 = 9
2

E 4. 5 1 Req 6 1 1
= R 9 2 amp = R
eq 36
36 36 2 12

1
(ii) VAB = E + ir = 1.5 + × 0.4 = 1.5 + 0.2 = 1.7 V
2
Example 45. Find the emf and internal resistance of a single battery which is equivalent to a combi-
nation of three batteries as shown in figure.

10V 2
6V 1

4V 2

Solution : 10V 2
6V 1
B

A
C 2
4V

Battery (B) and (C) are in parallel combination with opposite polarity. So, their equivalent

10 4
2 2 5 2
= = = 3V rBC = 1 .
BC 1 1 1
2 2

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6V 3V
1 1
Now,

ABC = 6 – 3 = 3V
rABC = 2 . Ans.

Example 46. Four identical cells each of e.m.f. 2V are joined in parallel providing supply of current to external
circuit consisting of two 15 resistors joined in parallel. The terminal voltage of the equivalent cell
as read by an ideal voltmeter is 1.6V calculate the internal resistance of each cell.
r E r
Solution: Total internal resistance of the combination req =
4 E r

Total e.m.f. Eeq = 2V E r

r
15 15 15 E
Total external resistance R 7.5
15 15 2 15

terminal potential 1.6 15

Current drawn from equivalent cell I A
external resistance 7.5 r
E 4

r r 1.6V
E I 1.6 E I 1.6 r = 7.5
4 4
7.5

GALVANOMETER (MOVING COIL TYPE)

The instrument used to measure strength of current, by measuring the deflection of the coil due to torque
produced by a magnetic field, is known as galvanometer.
Function: It consists of a pivoted coil placed in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet. Attached to
the coil is a spring. In the equilibrium position, with no current in the coil, the pointer is at zero and
spring is relaxed. When there is a current in the coil, the magnetic field exerts a torque on the coil that
is proportional to current. As the coil turns, the spring exerts a restoring torque that is proportional to
the angular displacement. Thus, the angular deflection of the coil and pointer is directly proportional to
the coil current and the device can be calibrated to measure current.
When coil rotates the spring is twisted and it exerts an opposing torque on the coil.
There is a resistive torque also against motion to damp the motion. Finally in equilibrium
magnetic
= spring
BINA sin =C
But by making the magnetic field radial = 90º.
BINA = C

here B = magnetic field A = Area of the coil

Current C = torsional constant
N = Number of turns = angle rotate by coil.
Current sensitivity
The ratio of deflection to the current i.e. deflection per unit current is called current sensitivity(C.S.)
BNA
of the galvanometer CS = =
C

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Not e :
• ig = Current required for full scale deflection of galvanometer.
• Rg = Resistance of galvanometer coil.
• Ig is the current for full scale deflection. If the current for a deflection, of one division on the galvanometer
scale is k and N is the total number of divisions on one side of the zero of galvanometer scale, then I g =
k × N.
• A ballistic galvanometer is a specially designed moving coil galvanometer, used to measure charge
flowing through the circuit for small time intervals.
SHUNT
The small resistance connected in parallel to galvanometer coil, in order to control current flowing through
the galvanometer, is known as shunt.
• Merits of shunt
(i) To protect the galvanometer coil from burning.
(ii) Any galvanometer can be converted into ammeter of desired range with the help of shunt.
(iii) The range an ammeter can be changed by using shunt resistance of different values.
• Demerits of shunt
Shunt resistance decreases the sensitivity of galvanometer.

CONVERSION OF GALVANOMETER INTO AMMETER

A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by connecting low resistance in parallel to its coil.

If maximum value of current to be measured by ammeter is then

G
. RG = ( – G )S
G .R G
S =
G

G RG
S = when >> G
.
where = Maximum current that can be measured using the given ammeter.
For measuring the current the ammeter is connected is series.
In calculation it is simply a resistance

Resistance of ammeter
R G .S
RA =
RG S
for S << RG RA = S

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S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 47. Calculate the value of shunt which passes 10% of the main current through a galvanometer of
99ohm.
Solution :
Rg
As in figure Rg g = ( – g)S G
g

99 × = ×S
10 10
( – g) S
S = 11 .

Example 48. When a shunt of 4 is attached to a galvanometer, the deflection reduces to 1/5th. If an additional
shunt of 2 is attached what will be the deflection ?

Solution: Initial condition : When shunt of 4 used

I 4 G = 16
G I 4
5 5
I I
I
4I 5 G
5

S=4

4 I
When additional shunt of 2 used I' × 16 = (I – I') I' =
3 13
(I) (I’) (I) (I’)

(I-I’)
4 G G
(I-I’) 4
3
2

I
it will reduce to of the initial deflection
13
Example 49. Calculate the current in the circuit (a) & (b) and also determine percentage error in measuring
the current through an ammeter.

10
Solution : ln A = = 5A
2
10
ln B = = 4A
2 .5
i i´
Percentage error is = × 100 = 20% Ans.
i
Here we see that due to ammeter the current has reduced. A good ammeter has very low
resistance as compared with other resistors, so that due to its presence in the circuit
the current is not affected.

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Example 50. Find the reading of ammeter ? Is this the current through 6 ?

3 6
Solution : Req = 1 = 3
3 6
Current through battery
18
= =6A
3
So, current through ammeter
6
= 6× = 4A
9
No, it is not the current through the 6 resistor.

Not e :
Ideal ammeter is equivalent to zero resistance wire for calculation potential difference across it is zero.

CONVERSION OF GALVANOMETER INTO VOLTMETER

• The galvanometer can be converted into voltmeter by connecting high resistance in series with its coil. It is used
to measure potential difference across a resistor in a circuit.

For maximum potential difference

V
V = G . R + G RG R = – RG
G

V
If RG << R RS
G

For measuring the potential difference a voltmeter is connected across that element. (parallel to that
element it measures the potential difference that appears between terminals ‘A’ and ‘B’.)
For calculation it is simply a resistance

Resistance of voltmeter R V = RG + R R
Vo
g
= . R Ideal voltmeter.
Rg R
A good voltmeter has high value of resistance.
Ideal voltmeter which has high value of resistance.
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Note :
For calculation purposes the current through the ideal voltmeter is zero.
V V´
Percentage error in measuring the potential difference by a voltmeter is = × 100
V

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 51. A 100 volt voltmeter whose resistance is 20 k is connected in series to a very high resistance R.
When it is joined in a line of 110 volt, it reads 5 volt. What is the magnitude of resistance R ?
110
Solution: When voltmeter connected in 110 volt line, Current through the voltmeter I
(20 103 R)
The potential difference across the voltmeter V = IRV

110 20 103
5 20 × 103 + R = 440 × 103 R = 420 × 103
(20 103 R)
Example 52. A galvanometer has a resistance of G ohm and range of V volt. Calculate the resistance to be
used in series with it to extend its range to nV volt.
V
Solution : Full scale current ig =
G
to change its range
V
V1 = (G + Rs)ig nV = (G + Rs) Rs = G(n – 1) Ans.
G

Example 53. A voltmeter of resistance 400 is used to measure the potential difference across the 100
resistor in the circuit shown in the figure. (i) What will be the reading of the voltmeter ? (ii) What
was the potential difference across 100 before the voltmeter was connected ?

Solution:

400 100
Reff = + 200 Reff = 280
500
84 84 100 400
i= A. V= × = 24 V
280 280 500
84 84
(b) i = V= × 100 = 28 V
300 300
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Current sensitivity
The ratio of deflection to the current i.e. deflection per unit current is called current sensitivity (C.S.) of

the galvanometer CS =

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 54. A galvanometer having 30 divisions has current sensitivity of 20 A/division. It has a resistance of
25 .
(i) How will you convert it into an ammeter measuring upto 1 ampere.
(ii) How will you convert this ammeter into a voltmeter upto 1 volt.
Solution: The current required for full scale deflection Ig = 20 A × 30 = 600 A = 6 × 10–4A
(i) To convert it into ammeter, a shunt is required in parallel with it

Ig R g 6 10 4
shunt resistance R 'S 4
25 0.015
(I Ig ) 1 6 10
(ii) To convert galvanometer into voltmeter, a high resistance in series with it is required

V 1
series resistance R Rg 4
25 = 1666.67 – 25 = 1641.67
ig 6 10

Example 55. A galvanometer with a scale divided into 100 equal divisions, has a current sensitivity of
10 division per mA and voltage sensitivity of 2 division per mV. What adoptions are required to
use it (a) to read 5A full scale and (b) 1 division per volt ?
100
Solution : Full scale deflection current ig = = mA
cs 10
= 10 mA

Full scale deflection voltage Vg =

vs
100
= mv
2
= 50 mv
Vg 50mV
So galvanometer resistance G = i =
g 10mA
=5
(a) to convert the galvanometer into an ammeter of range 5A, a resistance of value S is
connected in parallel with it such that
( – ig) S = ig G
(5 – 0.01) S = 0.01 × 5
5
S= 0.01 Ans.
499
(b) To convert the galvanometer into a voltmeter which reads 1 division per volt, i.e. of
range 100 V,
V = ig (R + G)
100 = 10 × 10–3 (R + 5)
R = 10000 – 5
R = 9995 9.995 k Ans.
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POTENTIOMETER
• Necessity of potentiometer
Practically voltameter has a finite resistance. (ideally it should be ) in other words it draws some current from
the circuit . To overcome this problem potentiometer is used because at the instant of measurement , it draws
no current from the circuit. It means its effective resistance is infinite.
• Working principle of potentiometer
Any unknown potential difference is balanced on a known potential difference which is uniformly distributed
over entire length of potentiometer wire. This process is named as zero deflection or null deflection method.
• Potentiometer wire
Made up of alloys of magnin, constantan, Eureka. Specific properties of these alloys are high specific resistance,
negligible temperature co–efficient of resistance ( ). Invariability of resistance of potentiometer wire over a long
period.

CIRCUIT OF POTENTIOMETER

E r Rh (O–R1)

primary circuit
L
A B
secondary circuit wire

E' G E'<E

• Primary circuit contains constant source of voltage rheostat or Resistance Box

• Secondary, Unknown or galvanometer circuit
Let = Resistance per unit length of potentiometer wire

• Potential gradient (x) (V/m)

The fall of potential per unit length of potentiometer wire is called potential gradient.

V current resitance of potentiometer wire R

x= = = I
L length of potentiometer wire L

The potential gradient depends only on primary circuit and is independent of secondary circuit.

Note:-
Any potential difference which is less than the potential difference maintained across the potentiometer wire
can be measured using this.

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• Applications of potentiometer

To measure potential difference across a To find out current in a given circuit

resistance. Calibration of an ammeter or to have a check
To find out emf of a cell on reading of (A)
Comparison of two emfs E1/ E2 Calibration of a voltmeter or to have a check on
To find out internal resistance of a primary reading of (V)
cell To find out thermocouple emf (et) (mV or mV)
Comparison of two resistance.
To find out an unknown resistance which is
connected in series with the given resistance.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 56. Primary circuit of potentiometer is shown in figure determine :

(A) current in primary circuit

(B) potential drop across potentiometer wire AB

(C) potential gradient (means potential drop per = 2V r = 1 R1 = 20

unit length of potentiometer wire)

(D) maximum potential which we can measure

R = 10 L = 10m
above potentiometer A B

2 2
Solution : (a) i = r R R = i= A Ans.
1 1 20 10 31

2 20
(b) VAB = iR = × 10 v AB = volt Ans.
31 31

VAB 2
(c) x = = volt/m Ans.
L 31
(d) Maximum potential which we can measure by it = potential drop across wire AB
20
= volt Ans.
31

Application of potentiometer
(a) To find emf of unknown cell and compare emf of two cells.
In case ,
In figure, (2) is joint to (1) then balance length = 1
1
=x 1 ....(1)
in case ,
In figure, (3) is joint to (2) then balance length = 2
2
=x 2 ....(2)

1 1

2 2

If any one of 1
or 2
is known the other can be found. If x is known then both 1
and 2
can be
found
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S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 57. There is a definite potential difference between the two ends of a potentiometer. Two cells are
connected in such a way that first time help each other, and second time they oppose each other.
They are balanced on the potentiometer wire at 120 cm and 60 cm length respectively. Compare
the electromotive force of the cells.
Solution: Suppose the potential gradient along the potentiometer wire = x and the emf's of the two cells are
E1 and E2.
When the cells help each other, the resultant emf = (E1 + E2)
E1 + E2 = x × 120 cm ...(i)
When the cells oppose each other, the resultant emf = (E1 – E2)
E1 – E2 = x × 60 cm ...(ii)

E1 E 2 120 cm 2 E1 3
From equation (i) and (ii) E1 + E2 = 2(E1 – E2) 3E2 = E1
E1 E 2 60cm 1 E2 1

Example 58. In an experiment to determine the emƒ of an unknown cell, its emf is compared with a standard
cell of known emf 1 = 1.12 V. The balance point is obtained at 56cm with standard cell and
80 cm with the unknown cell. Determine the emf of the unknown cell.

Solution Here, 1
= 1.12 V; 1
= 56 cm; 2
= 80 cm
Using equation

1
=x 1
....(1)

2
=x 2
....(2)

1 1 2
we get 2
= 1
2 2 1

80
or 2
= 1.12 56 = 1.6 V Ans

(b) To find current if resistance is known

VA – VC = x 1

R1 = x 1

x 1
=
R1

Similarly, we can find the value of R2 also.

Potentiometer is ideal voltmeter because it does not draw any current from circuit, at the balance
point.

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S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 59. A standard cell of emf 0 = 1.11 V is balanced against 72 cm length of a potentiometer. The same
potentiometer is used to measure the potential difference across the standard resistance R = 120
. When the ammeter shows a current of 7.8 mA, a balanced length of 60 cm is obtained on the
potentiometer.
(i) Determine the current flowing through the resistor.
(ii) Estimate the error in measurement of the ammeter.
Solution : Here, 0 = 72 cm ; = 60 cm; R = 120 and 0 = 1.11 V
(i) By using equation 0
=x 0 .......(i)
V = IR = x .......(ii)
From equation (i) and (ii)

0 1.11 60
= R = 120 72 = 7.7 mA
0
(ii) Since the measured reading 7.8 mA ( > 7.7 mA) therefore, the instrument has a positive error.
0. 1
I = 7.8 – 7.7 = 0.1 mA, × 100 = 1.3 %
7.7

(c) To find the internal resistance of cell.

I st arrangement 2nd arrangement

by first arrangement ’= x 1 ...(1)

by second arrangement R = x 2
x 2
= ,
R

' ' x 2 x 1 x 2 1 2
also = = = r’ = R
r' R r' R R r' R R 2

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 60. Figure shows a 2.0 V potentiometer used for the determination of internal resistance of 1.5 V
cell. The balance point of the cell without 9.5 in the external circuit is 70 cm. When a
resistor of 9.5 is used in the external circuit of the cell, the balance point shifts to 60 cm
length of the potentiometer wire. Determine the internal resistance of the secondary cell.

70 9.5
Ans. 1 9 .5 = ohm
60 6

R( – ' ) 70 – 60 70 9.5
Solution: r = = 9.5 = 9.5 –1 =
60 60 6

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METRE BRIDGE (USED TO MEASURE UNKNOWN RESISTANCE)

It is based on principle of whetstone bridge. It is used to find
out unknown resistance of wire. AC is 1 m long uniform wire R.B. is known resistance and S is unknown
resistance. A cell is connected across 1 m long wire and Galvanometer is connected between Jockey and
midpoint D. To find out unknown resistance we touch jockey from A to C and find balance condition. Let balance
is at B point on wire.
RB
AB = cm P=r D S
G
BC = (100 – ) cm Q = r(100 – )
P J
where r resistance per unit length on wire. A (100- ) C
B

P R r R 100
At balance condition : S R
Q S r(100 ) S

Note :
• The bridge is most sensitive when the resistance in all the four branches of the bridge is of same order.
• For better accuracy, R is so adjusted that lies between 40 cm and 60 cm.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 61. In a meter bridge experiment, the value of unknown resistance is 2 . To get the balancing point
at 40cm distance from the same end, the resistance in the resistance box will be?
Solution : Apply condition for balance wheat stone bridge,

P P 100 40
= = =
Q 100 2 40
Ans. : P = 3 .

POST-OFFICE BOX
INTRODUCTION: It is based on Wheatstone bridge. It is so named because its shape is like a box
and it was originally designed to determine the resistances of electric cables and telegraph wires. It
was used in post offices to determine the resistance of transmission lines.
CONSTRUCTION: A post office box is a compact form of Wheatstone bridge with the help of which we
can measure the value of the unknown resistance correctly up to 2nd decimal place, i.e., up to 1/100th
of an ohm correctly. Two types of post office box are available - plug type and dial type. In the plug-
type instrument shown in figure (a), each of the arms AB and BC contains three resistances of 10, 100
and 1000 ohm. These arms are called the ratio arms. While the resistance P can be introduced in the
arm AB, the resistance Q can be introduced in the arm BC. The third arm AD, called the resistance
arm, is a complete resistance box containing resistances from 1 to 5,000 . In this arm, the
resistance R is introduced by taking out plugs of suitable values. The unknown resistance X constitutes
the fourth arm CD. Thus, the four arms AB, BC, CD and AD are infect the four arms of the Wheatstone
bridge (figure (b)). Two tap keys K 1 and K2 are also provided. While K1 is connected internally to the
terminal A, K2 is connected internally to B. These internal connections are shown by dotted lines in
figure (a).
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A battery is connected between C and key K 1 (battery key). A galvanometer is connected between D
and key K2 (galvanometer key). Thus, the circuit is exactly the same as that shown in figure (b). It is
always the battery key which is pressed first and then the galvanometer key. This is because a self-
induced current is always set up in the circuit whenever the battery key is pressed or released. If we
first press the galvanometer key, the balance point will be disturbed on account of induced current. If
the battery key is pressed first, then the induced current becomes zero by the time the galvanometer
key is pressed. So, the balance
x
point is not affected.

B
1000 100 10 B 10 100 1000 C
A
P Q P Q
1 2 5 10 20 20 50
G
2
A C
+
R ¥ K2
5000 2000 2000 1000 500 200 200 100 R X
D –
D
k1 k2

K1
(b)
G
(a)
WORKING : The working of the post office box involves broadly the following four steps :
) Keeping R zero, each of the resistances P and Q are made equal to 10 ohm by taking out suitable
plugs from the arms AB and BC respectively. After pressing the battery key first and then the
galvanometer key, the direction of deflection of the galvanometer coil is noted. Now, making R infinity,
the direction of deflection is again noted. If the direction is opposite to that in the first case, then the
connections are correct.
) Keeping both P and Q equal to 10 , the value of R is adjusted, beginning from 1 , till 1 increase
reverses the direction of deflection. The 'unknown' resistance clearly lies somewhere between the two
final values of R.
Q 10
X R R R
P 10
As an illustration, suppose with 3 resistance in the arm AD, the deflection is towards left and with
4 , it is towards right. The unknown resistance lies between 3 and 4 .
) Making P 100 and keeping Q 10 , we again find those values of R between which direction of
deflection is reversed. Clearly, the resistance in the arm AD will be 10 times the resistance X of the wire.
Q 10 R
X R R
P 100 10
In the illustration considered in step II, the resistance in the arm AD will now lie between 30 , and 40
. So, in this step, we have to start adjusting R from 30 onwards. If 32 and 33 are the two
values of R which give opposite deflections, then the unknown resistance lies between 3.2 and 3.3
.
(IV) Now, P is made 1000 and Q is kept at 10 . The resistance in the arm AD will now be 100 times the
'unknown' resistance.
10 R
X R
1000 100

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In the illustration under consideration, the resistance in the arm AD will lie between 320 and 330 .
Suppose the deflection is to the right for 326 ohm, towards left for 324 ohm and zero deflection for
325 Then, the unknown resistance is 3.25 .
The post office box method is a less accurate method for the determination of unknown resistance as
compared to a metre bridge. This is due to the fact that it is not always possible to arrange resistance
in the four arms to be of the same order. When the arms ratio is large, large resistance are required to
be introduced in the arm R.

S OLV ED E X AM PLE
Example 62. In a post office box if the position of the cell and the galvanometer are interchanged, then the :
(A) null point will not change (B) null point will change
(C) post office box will not work (D) Nothing can be said. Ans. : (A)
Example 63. The post office box works on the principle of :
(A) Potentiometer (B) Wheatstone bridge
(C) Matter waves (D) Ampere’s law Ans. : (B)

Example 64. While using a post office box the keys should be switched on in the following order :
(A) first cell key the and then galvanometer key.
(B) first the galvanometer key and then cell key.
(C) both the keys simultaneously.
(D) any key first and then the other key. Ans. : (A)

M I SCE LLA N E OU S S OLV ED E X A M P LE

Problem 1. The current density at a point is J 2 104 ˆj Jm 2 .

Find the rate of charge flow through a cross sectional area S 2iˆ 3jˆ cm2

Solution: The rate of flow of charge = current = I = [Link] I = J.S 2 104 ˆj 2iˆ 3jˆ 10 4 A 6A

Problem 2. Current is flowing from a conductor of non-uniform cross section area if A 1 > A2 then find
relation between

(a) i 1 and i 2

(b) j 1 and j 2

(c) v 1 and v 2 (drift velocity)

where i is current, j is current density and V is drift velocity.

Answer : i 1 = i 2 , V1 < V2 , J1 < J2

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Solution : (a) i = charge flowing through a cross-section per unit time.

i1 = i2

i
(b) j =
A

as A1 > A2 then j 1 < j 2

(c) j = nev d

j
vd =
ne

as j 1 < j 2 then, v 1 < v 2

Problem 3. A wire of L = 10–6 / m is turned in the form of a circle of diameter 2 m. A piece of same material
is connected in diameter AB. Then find resistance between A and B.
Solution: R = L length R1 r
R1 × 10–6 , R2 = 2 × 10–6 , R3 = × 10–6
R2
1 1 1 1 A 2r B
6 6 6 ; RAB = 0.88 × 10–6 ohm.
R AB 10 2 10 10
R3 r

Problem 4. If 2 bulbs rated 2.5 W – 110 V and 100 W – 110 V are connected in series to a 220 V supply
then
(A) 2.5 W bulb will fuse (B) 100 W bulb will fuse
(C) both will fuse (D) both will not fuse

(110)2 (110)2
Solution: R2.5 W = , R100W = R2.5 > R100 .
2.5 100
In series current passes through both bulb are same
P2.5 = i2 R2.5 , P100 = i2 R100
P2.5 > P100 due to R2.5 > R100 & P2.5 > 2.5W & P100 < 100 W (can be verified)
Therefore 2.5 W bulb will fuse

Problem 5. Find the current through the 10 resistor shown in figure

(A) zero (B) 1 A (C) 2A (D) 5 A

Solution:

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4. 5 3
3 10 54
Eq = 1 1 13 = V
3 10

3 10 30
req =
13 13

54 / 13 54 1
i = 6 30 108 2 amp.
13
1
V6 = i.R = × 6 = 3V
2
There fore current in 10 is zero.

Problem 6. n rows each containing m cells in series, are joined in parallel. Maximum current is taken from
this combination in a 3 resistance. If the total number of cells used is 24 and internal resistance
of each cell is 0.5 , find the value of m and n.

mr 3n
Solution: Total number of cell mn = 24, For maximum current R 0.5 m = 3 n, m 6n
n 0.5
6n × n = 24 n = 2 and m × 2 = 24 m = 12

Problem 7. In the given circuit calculate potential difference between A and B.

2V 4V 4V
Solution: First applying KVL on left mesh 2 – 3 I1 – 2 I1 = 0 I1 = 0.4 amp.
2 3 3 5
Now applying KVL on right mesh. 4 – 5 I2 – 3 I2 = 0 I2 = 0.5 amp.
Potential difference between points A and B I1 I2
A B
VA – VB = – 3 × 0.4 – 4 + 3 × 0.5 = – 3.7 volt.

Problem 8. What shunt resistance is required to convert the 1.0 mA, 20 galvanometer into an ammeter
with a range of 0 to 50mA ?
20
Answer : S= = 0.408
49
Solution : ig Rg = (i – ig)S

ig = 1.0 × 10–3 A , G = 20
i = 50 × 10–3 A
igR g 1 10 3 20
S = i– v = = 0.408
g 49 10 3

Problem 9. How can we convert a galvanometer with Rg = 20 and ig = 1.0 mA into a voltmeter with a
maximum range of 10 V ?
Answer : A resistance of 9980 is to be connected in series with the galvanometer.

Solution : v = ig RS + ig Rg

10 = 1 × 10–3 × Rs + 1 × 10–3 × 20

10 – 0.02 9.98
RS = 3
= 3
= 9980
1 10 10
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Problem 10. A Potentiometer wire of 10 m length and having 10 ohm resistance, emf 2 volts and a rheostat.
If the potential gradient is 1 micro volt/mm, the value of resistance in rheostat in ohms will be
:
(A) 1.99 (B) 19.9 (C) 199 (D) 1990
Solution : d = 10 m , R = 10 ,

dv
E = 2volts , = 1µ v/mm
d

6
dv 1 10
= 3 v/m = 1 × 10–3 v/m
d 1 10
Across wire potential drop ,

dv
× = 1 × 10–3 × 10 = 0.01 volts
d

0.01 E
i= = 0.001 = (R’ = resistance of rheostat)
10 R R'

E 2
R’ = R = 10 = 2000 – 10 = 1990 Answer : (D)
0.001 0.001

Problem 11. In the following circuit diagram, the galvanometer reading is zero. If the internal resistance of cells
are negligible then what is the value of X ?

a
G
400 Ig
I
10V X 2V

10
Sol. Ig = 0 I=
400 X
also potential difference across X is 2V IX=2

10X 10
2 I X = 100
400 X 400 X

****

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PART - I : SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

SECTION (A) : DEFINITION OF CURRENT, CURRENT DENSITIES & DRIFT VELOCITIES

A-1. The current through a wire depends on time as i = 10 + sin t. Find the charge crossed through a section
2
of the wire in 3 seconds, and average current for that interval.
A-2. A current of 2.5 A exists in a 10 resistance for 4 minutes.
(i) How many coulombs and
(ii) How many electrons pass through any cross section of the resistor in this time?
Charge of the electron = 1.6 x 10 -19 C.

SECTION (B) : RESISTANCE

B-1. What is resistance of following resistor.

Violet Gold

Yellow Brown

B-2. A copper wire of length L, and cross section area A carries a current I. If the specific resistance of copper is
, the electric field in the wire is.
B-3. A battery sets up an electric field of 50 N/C inside a uniform wire of length 2 m and a resistance of 10 . Find
current through the wire.
B-4. Two conductors are made of the same material and have the same length. Conductor A is a solid wire of
diameter 1mm. Conductor B is a hollow tube of outer diameter 2mm and inner diameter 1mm. Find the ratio
of resistance RA to RB.
B-5. The current-voltage graphs for a given metallic wire at two different temperature T 1 and T2 are shown in the
figure. Which one is higher, T1 or T2

T2

T1

B-6. If a copper wire is stretched to make it 0.1% longer, what is the percentage change in its resistance?
[JEE' 1978]

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SECTION (C) : POWER, ENERGY, BATTERY, EMF, TERMINAL VOLTAGE & KIRCHOFF’S LAWS
C-1. If a cell of constant E.M.F. produces the same amount of the heat during the same time in two independent
resistors R1 and R2, when they are separately connected across the terminals of the cell, one after the
another, find the internal resistance of the cell.
C-2. In following diagram boxes may contain resistor or battery or any other element

(A) (B)

then determine in each case

(a) E.m.f. of battery
(b) Battery is acting as a source or load
(c) Potential difference across each battery
(d) Power input to the battery or output by the battery.
(e) The rate at which heat is generated inside the battery.
(f) The rate at which the chemical energy of the cell is consumed or increased.
(g) Potential difference across box
(h) Electric power output across box.
C-3. The figure shows the current in a single-loop circuit with a battery B
and resistance R (and wires of negligible resistance). Then find the order
of following at the point x,y and z
(a) The magnitude of the current,
x y z
(b) The electric potential, and
(c) The electric potential energy of the charge carriers (electron), greatest first.
C-4. In following circuit potential at point ‘A’ is zero then determine

(a) Potential at each point

(b) Potential difference across each resistance
(c) Identify the batteries which act as a source
(d) Current in each battery
(e) Which resistance consumes maximum power
(f) Which battery consume or gives maximum power.
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C-5. For the circuit shown in figure, find the voltage across 10 resistor and the current passing through it.

C-6. A resistor develops 200 J of thermal energy in 5 s when a current of 2 A is passed through it. (a) Find its
resistance. (b) If the current is increased to 4 A, what will be the energy developed in 10 s.
C-7. Find the current in 10 resistance, V1, and source voltage Vs in the circuit shown in figure

SECTION : (D) COMBINATION OF RESISTANCE

D-1. Find current which is passing through battery.

D-2. Find equivalent Resistance

D-3. A copper wire of length ‘ ’ and radius ‘r’ is nickel plated till its final 2r Ni
r Cu
radius is 2r. If the resistivity of the copper and nickel are Cu
and ,
Ni
then find the equivalent resistance of wire?
L
D-4. Two electric bulbs, each designed to operate with a power of 500 watts in 220 volt line, are connected in
series. Now they are connected with a 110 volt line. What will be the power generated by each bulb?
[JEE – 1977]
D-5. All resistance in diagram (fig.) are in ohms. Find the effective resistance between the points A and B.
[JEE – 1979]

Q 3 R

3
3
P 6 6 S
6
3 3

A 3 B

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D-6. In the given circuit determine

3 2 4

(a) Potential difference across each resistance

(b) The rate at which the chemical energy of the cell is consumed
(c) The rate at which heat is generated inside the battery
(d) Electric power output
(e) Potential difference across battery
(f) Which resistance consumes maximum power
(g) Power dissipated in 2 resistance.

D-7.

(a) Find VX – VY.

(b) If intermediate cell has internal resistance r = 1 then find VX – VY.

D-8.

An infinite ladder network of resistance is shown in figure.

(i) Calculate the effective resistance between A and B.
(ii) Find the current through the 2 resistance nearest to the battery ?
D-9. A 100 W bulb B1 and two 60 W bulbs B2 and B3 are connected to a 250 V
source as shown in the figure. Now W 1, W 2 and W 3 are the output powers of
the bulbs B1, B2 and B3 respectively. Then: [IIT-JEE(Scr.) - 2002, 3/105]

SECTION (E) : COMBINATION OF CELLS

E-1. A battery of six cells each of e.m.f. 2 V and internal resistance 0.5 W is being charged by D. C. mains of
e.m.f. 220 V by using an external resistance of 10 W. What will be the charging current.

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E-2. A battery consists of a variable number n of identical cells having internal resistance connected in series. The
terminals of the battery are short circuited and the current I measured. Draw graph between I and n?
E-3. In previous problem, if the cell had been connected in parallel (instead of in series) Draw graph between I
and n?

E-4. In the figure shown, battery 1 has emf = 6 V and internal resistance = 1 . Battery 2 has emf = 2V and
internal resistance = 3 . The wires have negligible resistance. What is the potential difference across the
terminals of battery 2 ?

E-5. In the circuit shown all five resistors have the same value 200 ohms and each cell has an emf 3 volts. Find the
open circuit voltage and the short circuit current for the terminals P and Q.

E-6. Find the current through 25V cell & power supplied by 20V cell in the figure shown.

E-7. In the figure given beside find out the current in the wire BD

SECTION (F) : INSTRUMENT

F-1. A voltmeter of resistance 600 is used to measure the potential difference across the 300 resistor in
the circuit shown in the figure. (i) What will be the reading of the voltmeter ? (ii) What was the potential
difference across 300 before the voltmeter was connected ?

200

300 V 600
100 V

(B)

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F-2.

(i) The ammeter reads 0.02 A. What is the resistance of the voltmeter ?
(ii) The voltmeter reads 1.10 V, what is the zero error in the voltmeter ?

F-3. The internal resistance of a cell is determined by using a potentiometer. ln

an experiment, an external resistance of 60 is used across the given cell.
When the key is closed, the balance length on the potentiometer decreases
from 72 cm to 60 cm. calculate the internal resistance of the cell.

F-4. In the figure shown for which values of R1 and R2 the balance point for Jockey
is at 40 cm from A. When R2 is shunted by a resistance of 10 , balance
shifts to 50 cm. Find R1 and R2. (AB = 1 m):

F-5. In a potentiometer arrangement, a cell of emf 1.25 V gives a balance point at 35.0 cm length of the wire. If the
cell is replaced by another cell and the balance point shifts to 63.0 cm, what is the emf of the second cell ?

PART - II : OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

* Marked Questions are one or more than one correct type.

SECTION (A) : DEFINITION OF CURRENT, CURRENT DENSITIES, DRIFT

A-1. Two wires each of radius of cross section r but of different materials are connected together end to end (in
series). If the densities of charge carriers in the two wires are in the ratio 1 : 4, the drift velocity of electrons in
the two wires will be in the ratio:
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 4 : 1 (D) 1 : 4
A-2. In the presence of an applied electric field ( E ) in a metallic conductor..

(A) The electrons move in the direction of E

(B) The electrons move in the opposite to E

(C) The electrons may move in any direction randomly, but slowly drift in the direction of E .

(D) The electrons move randomly but slowly drift in a direction opposite to E .

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A-3. A wire has a non-uniform cross-section as shown in figure. A steady current flows through it. The drift speed
of electrons at points P and Q is v P and v Q.

(A) vP = vQ (B) vP < vQ (C) vP > vQ (D) Data insufficient

A-4.* A current passes through a wire of non-uniform cross-section. Which of the following quantities are indepen-
dent of the cross-section?
(A) drift speed (B) free-electron density.
(C) current density (D) the charge crossing in a given time interval
A-5.* When no current is passed through a conductor
(A) the average speed of a free electron over a large period of time is zero
(B) the free electrons do not move
(C) the average velocity of a free electron over a large period of time is zero
(D) the average of the velocities of all the free electrons at an instant is zero

SECTION (B) : RESISTANCE

B-1. A resistor has a color code of green, blue; brown and silver. What is its resistance?

(A) 56 ± 5% (B) 560 ± 10% (C) 560 ± 5% (D) 5600 ± 10%

B-2.* The current density in a wire is 20 A/cm 2 and the electric field in the wire is 10 V/cm. If = resistivity of
material, = conductivity of the material then (in S. . units) :

(A) = 50 x 10 4 (B) = 500 (C) = 15 x 10 3 (D) = 200

B-3. Which of the following quantities do not change when an ohmic resistor connected to a battery is heated due
to the current?
(A) drift speed (B) resistivity
(C) resistance (D) number of free electrons

SECTION (C) : POWER, ENERGY, BATTERY, EMF AND TERMINAL VOLTAGE

C-1. In a battery connected in an electric circuit, the positive charge inside the battery
(A) may go from the positive terminal to the negative terminal
(B) always goes from the positive terminal to the negative terminal
(C) always goes from the negative terminal to the positive terminal
(D) does not move.
C-2. Power generated across a uniform wire connected across a supply is H. If the wire is cut into n equal parts
and all the parts are connected in parallel across the same supply, the total power generated in the wire is

H H
(A) 2 (B) n2H (C) nH (D)
n n

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C-3. If internal resistance (r) of a cell is proportional to current (i) drawn from the cell. Then the best
representation of terminal potential difference (v) of a cell with current drawn from cell will be:

(A) (B) (C) (D)

C-4. A resistor of resistance R is connected to a cell of internal resistance 5 . The value of R is varied from
1 to 5 . The power consumed by R:
(A) increases continuously (B) decreases continuously
(C) first decreases then increases (D) first increases then decreases.
C-5. A simple circuit contains an ideal battery and a resistance R. If a second resistor is placed in parallel with the
first,
(A) the potential across R will decrease
(B) the current through R will decreased
(C) the current delivered by the battery will increase
(D) the power dissipated by R will increased.

C-6. In the figure a part of circuit is shown :

(A) current will flow from A to B 10V 1V
(B) current may flow from A to B
(C) current will flow from B to A
(D) the direction of current will depend on r.
C-7. In the figure shown the current through 2 resistor is

(A) 2 A (B) 0 A (C) 4 A (D) 6 A

C-8. The efficiency of a cell when connected to a resistance R is 60%. What will be its efficiency if the external
resistance is increased to six times.
(A) 80 % (B) 90% (C) 55% (D) 95%
C-9. Arrange the order of power dissipated in the given circuits, if the same current is passing through the system.
The resistance of each resistor is ' r '. [IIT-JEE(Scr.) - 2003, 3/84]

(i) (ii)

I
(iii) (iv) A B

(A) P2 > P3 > P4 > P1 (B) P1 > P4 > P3 > P2 (C) P1 > P2 > P3 > P4 (D) P4 > P3 > P2 > P1
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SECTION (D) : COMBINATION OF RESISTANCE
D-1. Two resistances of equal magnitude R and having temperature coefficient 1 and 2 respectively are connected
in parallel. The temperature coefficient of the parallel combination is, approximately

(A) 2 1 2 (B) (C) (D)

2 2
D-2. The equivalent resistance between the terminal points A and B in the network shown in figure is :-

7R 5R
(A) (B)
5 6
7R 5R
(C) (D)
12 12
D-3. Two bulbs rated (25 W – 220V) and (100W – 220V) are connected in series to a 440 V line. Which one is likely
to fuse?
(A) 25 W bulb (B) 100 W bulb (C) both bulbs (D) none
D-4. In the figure shown the power generated in y is maximum when y = 5 . Then R is :-

(A) 2 (B) 6 (C) 5 (D) 3

D-5. The current i in the circuit of figure is - [JEE - 1983]

1 1
(A) amp. (B) amp.
45 15

1 1
(C) amp. (D) amp.
10 5
D-6. Three equal resistors connected in series across a source of emf together dissipate 10 watts of power.
What would be the power dissipated if the same resistors are connected in parallel across the same
source of emf ? [JEE - 1972]
(A) 60 watt (B) 90 watt (C) 100 watt (D) 30 watt
D-7. The given Wheatstone bridge is showing no deflection in the galvanometer joined between the points B
and D (Figure). Calculate the value of R.

(A) 25 (B) 50 (C) 40 (D) 100

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D-8. Three equal resistance each of R ohm are connected as shown in figure. A battery of 2 volts of internal
resistance 0.1 ohm is connected across the circuit. Calculate the value of R for which the heat gener-
ated in the exeternal circuit is maximum. [REE - 1990]

R R R

2V
(A) 0.1 (B) 0.2 (C) 0.3 (D) 0.4
D-9. In the circuit shown in figure the heat produced in the 5 resistor due to the current flowing through it is 10
calories per second. [JEE' 1981; 2M]
4 6

5
The heat generated in the 4 resistor is :
(A) 1 cal/s (B) 2 cal/s (C) 3 cal/s (D) 4 cal/s
D-10. The equivalent resistance between the points A and B is :

36 85
(A) (B) (C) 10 (D) none of these
7 7

SECTION (E) : COMBINATION OF CELLS

E-1. 12 cells each having the same emf are connected in series and are kept in a closed box. Some of the cells are
wrongly connected. This battery is connected in series with an ammeter and two cells identical with each
other and also identical with the previous cells. The current is 3 A when the external cells support this battery
and is 2 A when the cells oppose the battery. How many cells in the battery are wrongly connected?
(A) one (B) two (C) three (D) none
E-2. Two cells of e.m.f. 5 V & 12 V are connected in parallel to each other 5V
between points A & B. The cell of e.m.f. 5 V is ideal but the cell of e.m.f.
12 V has internal resistance 2 . The equivalent e.m.f. between A and B
is:
(A) 5 V (B) not defined
(C) 20 V (D) 12 V 12V
E-3. N sources of current with different emf’s are connected as shown in figure. The
emf’s of the sources are proportional to their internal resistances, i.e. E = R,
where is an assigned constant. The connecting wire resistance is negligible.
The potential difference between points A and B dividing the circuit in n and
N – n links
(A) 0 (B) nE/2 (C) NE (D) (N – n)E

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SECTION (F) : INSTRUMENT

F-1. In the given circuit the current flowing through the resisitance 20 ohms
is 0.3 ampere while the ammetre reads 0.8 ampere. What is the value
of R1?
(A) 30 ohms (B) 40 ohms
(C) 50 ohms (D) 60 ohms
F-2. The ammeter shown in figure consists of a 480 coil connected in parallel to a 20 shunt. Find the reading
of the ammeter.

50 50 40 13
(A) A (B) A (C) A (D) A
73 93 53 50
F-3. In the circuit shown in figure the reading of ammeter is the same with both switches open as with both closed.
Then find the resistance R. (ammeter is ideal)

(A) 100 (B) 200 (C) 400 (D) 600

F-4. A potentiometer wire has length 10 m and resistance 10 . It is connected to a battery of EMF 11 volt and
internal resistance 1 , then the potential gradient in the wire is :-
(A) 10 V/m (B) 1 V/m (C) 0.1 V/m (D) none

F-5. In the given potentiometer circuit length of the wire AB is 3 m and

resistance is R = 4.5 . The length AC for no deflection in
galvanometer is :-
(A) 2 m (B) 1.8 m
(C) dependent on r1 (D) none of these

F-6.* In a potentiometer wire experiment the emf of a battery in the primary circuit is 20volt and its internal
resistance is 5 . There is a resistance box (in series with the battery and the potentiometer wire)
whose resistance can be varied from 120 to 200 . Resistance of the potentiometer wire is 75 . The
following potential differences can be measured using this potentiometer
(A) 5V (B) 6V (C) 7V (D) 8V

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PART-III : MATCH THE COLUMN

1. Electrons are emitted by a hot filament and are accelerated by an electric field as shown in figure. The two
stops at the left ensure that the electron beam has a uniform cross-section. Match the entries of column-I with
column-II as electron move from A to B :

A B

Column-I Column-II
(A) Speed of an electron (P) Increases
(B) Number of free electrons per unit volume (Q) Decreases
(C) Current density (R) Remains same
(D) Electric potential (S) any of the above is possible
2. Match the following :
The following table gives the lengths of four copper rods at the same temperature, their diameters, and
the potential differences between their ends.

Potential
Rod Length Diameter
Difference
1 L 3d V
2 2L d 3V
3 3L 2d 2V
4 3L d V

Correctly match the physical quantities mentioned in the left column with the rods as marked.
(A) Greatest Drift speed of the electrons. (p) Rod 1
(B) Greatest Current (q) Rod 2
(C) Greatest rate of thermal energy produced (r) Rod 3
(D) Greatest Electric field (s) Rod 4
3. In the potentiometer arrangement shown in figure, null point is obtained at length .

E1 R

E2

Column-I Column-II
(A) If E1 is increased (P) should increase
(B) If R is increased (Q) should decrease
(C) If E2 is increased (R) should remain the same to
again get the null point
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PART-I : OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. All the edges of a block in cuboidal shape with parallel
faces are equal. Its longest edge is twice its shortest
edge. The ratio of the maximum to minimum resistance
between parallel faces is:
(A) 2
(B) 4
(C) 8
(D) indeterminate unless the length of the third edge is specified.

2. A cell of emf E having an internal resistance r is connected to an external

resistance R. The potential difference V across the resistance R varies with R
as shown in figure by the curve :
(A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D

3. The potential difference between the terminals of a battery of emf 10 V and internal resistance 1 drops to 9.8
V when connected across an external resistance. The resistance of the external resistor is :
(A) 49 (B) 25 (C) 31 (D) 43

4. The equivalent resistance between P and Q will be

(A) 2/7 8
(B) 8 P Q

(C) 4/3 8
(D) 7/3

5. The equivalent resistance between points A and B is :

65 45 5 91
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 2 2 2

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6. Find the resistance of a wire frame shaped as a cube (figure) when measured between points 1-7 and
1-3.

5 3 5 3
(A) R, R (B) R, R
3 2 6 4

3 5 6 5
(C) R, R (D) R, R
5 2 5 6
7. For what value of R in circuit, current through 4 resistance is zero.

(A) 2 (B) 1 (C) 3 (D) 4

8. In a circuit shown in figure resistances R1 and R2 are known, as well as emf’s E1
and E2. The internal resistances of the sources are negligible. At what value of
the resistance R will the thermal power generated in it be the highest ?
(A) R1 + R2 (B) R1 – R2

R1R 2
(C) R1R 2 (D)
R1 R 2

9. A battery of internal resistance 4 ohm is connected to the network of resistance

as shown. In the order that the maximum power can be delivered to the network,
the value of R in ohm should be : [JEE - 1995]

(A) 4/9 (B) 2

(C) 8/3 (D) 18
10. Find the current I & voltage V in the circuit shown.

(A) 1.5 A, 2.5 V (B) 2.5 A, 3.5 V (C) 3.5 A, 1.5 V (D) 5.5 A, 2.5 V
11. By error, a student places moving-coil voltmeter V (nearly ideal) in series with the
resistance in a circuit in order to read the current, as shown. The voltmeter reading
will be
(A) 0 (B) 4V (C) 6V (D) 12V

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12. An ammeter and a voltmeter are joined in series to a cell. Their readings are A and V respectively. If a resistance
is now joined in parallel with the voltmeter,
(A) both A and V will increase (B) both A and V will decrease
(C) A will decrease, V will increase (D) A will increase, V will decrease
13. Which of the following wiring diagrams could be used to experimentally determine R using ohm's law ? Assume
an ideal voltmeter and an ideal ammeter.

(A) (B) (C) (D)

14. A part of a circuit is shown in figure. Here reading of ammeter is 5 ampere and voltmeter is 96V & voltmeter
resistance is 480 ohm. Then find the resistance R

(A) 10 ohm (B) 20 ohm (C) 30 ohm (D) 40 ohm

15. If the reading of ammeter A3 in figure is 0.75 A. Neglecting the resistances of the ammeters, the reading of
ammeter A1 and A2will be :

(A) 1.5 A, 2A (B) 3.75 A, 3 A (C) 4.5 A, 5A (D) 6 A, 3A

16. In the circuit shown, reading of the voltmeter connected across 400 resistance is 30 V. If it is connected
across 300 resistance then reading will be

60V

300 400

V
(A) 45 V (B) 32.5 V (C) 22.5 V (D) 18 V
17. In the fig. the potentiometer wire AB of length L & resistance 9 r is
joined to the cell D of e.m.f. & internal resistance r. The cell C's
e.m.f. is /2 and its internal resistance is 2 r. The galvanometer G
will show no deflection when the length AJ is:

(A) 4L/9 (B) 5L/9

(C) 7L/18 (D) 11L/18

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18. In the given circuit, no current is passing through the galvanometer. If the cross-sectional diameter of AB is
doubled then for null point of galvanometer the value of AC would [IIT-JEE’ 2003 (Scr)]

(A) x (B) x/2

(C) 2x (D) None

PART - II : SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. The current density in a cylindrical conductor of radius R varies according to the equation

J = J0 r , where r = radial distance from the axis and Jo is the current density at the surface of cylinder. If the
R

nJ o R 2
current in conductor is then find n.
3
2. 1 m long metallic wire is broken into two unequal parts P and Q. P of the wire is uniformly extended into
another wire R. Length of R is twice the length of P and the resistance of R is equal to that of Q. Find the
ratio of lengths of Q and P. [REE - 96]

3. In the diagram resistance between any two junctions is R. Equivalent resistance across terminals A and B is

xR
. Find x.
18

A B

4. In the circuit shown in fig. E1 = 3 volt, E2 = 2 volt, E3 = 1 volt and R = r1 = r2 = r3 = 1 ohm. [JEE - 1981]

(i) Find potential difference (in volts) between the points A and B with A & B unconnected.
(ii) If r2 is short circuited and the point A is connected to point B through a zero resistance wire,
find the current (in Amp.) through the resistor R.
5. A series parallel combination of batteries consisting of a large number N = 300 of identical cells, each
with an internal resistances r = 0.3 , is loaded with an external resistance R = 10 . If the number of
parallel groups consisting of an equal number of cells connected in series, at which the external resistance
generates the highest thermal power is n then find n.

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6. For a particular resistance X in the figure shown the thermal power generated in ' Y ' is maximum when Y
= 4 . Then X is:

10V,2

7. In the circuit shown in figure potential difference between point A and B is 16V. If the current passing through

X
2 resistance is A. Find X.
10

4 9V 3V 4
A B

8. In the given circuit diagram, the current through the 1 resistor is given by I amp. Find 2I.

10V 2
2
5V
1
10V 10V
2
5V 2

9. If the switches S1, S2 and S3 in the figure are arranged such that current through the battery is minimum, find
the voltage across points A and B.

10. In the circuit shown in fig. E, F, G and H are cells of emf 2, 1,3 and 1 volts and their internal resistances
are 2, 1, 3 and 1 ohm respectively.

n
(i) If the potential difference between B and D is then find n.
13

m
(ii) If the potential difference across the terminals of the cell G is then find m.
13

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11. The potential difference across the resistance of 400 ohm, as measured by the voltmeter V of resistance
400 ohm is x/3 volt then find x. [JEE' 1996, 5]

12. The potential of certain points in the circuit are maintained at the values indicated. The Voltmeter and Ammeter
are ideal. The potential of the cross junction point in the circuit (at center O) is x/3 volt and the readings of
Voltmeter is y/3 volt and Ammeter is z/15 A respectively then find value of x,y and z. All cells are ideal.

13. In the given circuit the ammeter A1 and A2 are ideal and the ammeter A3 has a resistance of 1.9 x 10 -3 . If the
17X + Z
readings (in amperes) of meters A1 , A2, and A3 are X, Y and Z respectively then find the value of .
Y

14. A battery of emf 0 = 10 V is connected across a 1 m long uniform wire having resistance 10 /m. Two cells of
emf 1 = 2V and 2 = 4V having internal resistances 1 and 5 respectively are connected as shown in the
figure. If a galvanometer shows no deflection at the point P, find the distance (in cm) of point P from the point A.
(Nearest integer)

0 = 10 V

1 =2V

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PART - III : ONE OR MORE THAN ONE CORRECT OPTIONS

1. A metallic conductor of irregular cross-section is as shown in the figure. A
constant potential difference is applied across the ends (1) and (2). Then :
(A) the current at the cross-section P equals the current at the cross-section Q
(B) the electric field intensity at P is less than that at Q.
(C) the rate of heat generated per unit time at Q is greater than that at P
(D) the number of electrons crossing per unit area of cross-section at P is less than that at Q.
2. Potential difference across the terminals of a non ideal battery is
(A) zero when it is short circuited
(B) less than its emf when current flows from negative terminal to positive terminal inside the battery
(C) zero when no current is drawn from the battery
(D) greater than its emf when current flows from positive terminal to negative inside the battery.
3. A battery of emf E and internal resistance r is connected across
a resistance R. Resistance R can be adjusted to any value greater
than or equal to zero. A graph is plotted between the current
(i) passing through the resistance and potential difference (V)
across it. Select the correct alternative (s)
(A) internal resistance of the battery is 5
i (ampere)
(B) emf of the battery is 10 V
(C) maximum current which can be taken from the battery is 2 A
(D) V-i graph can never be a straight line as shown in figure.
4. In the network shown, points A, B and C are potentials of 70 V,
zero and 10 V respectively.
(A) Point D is at a potential of 40 V
(B) The currents in the sections AD, DB, DC are in the ratio 3: 2: 1
(C) The currents in the sections AD, DB, DC are in the ratio 1: 2: 3
(D) The network draws a total power of 200 W.
5. Two cells of unequal emfs 1 and 2, and internal resistances r1 and r2
are joined as shown. VA and VB are the potentials at A and B respectively.

(A) One cell will supply energy to the other

(B) The potential difference across both the cells will be equal
(C) The potential difference across one cell will be greater than its emf.

1 r2 2 r1
(D) VA VB =
r1 r2

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6. In the circuit shown, the cell has emf = 10 V and internal resistance = 1
(A) The current through the 3 resistor is 1 A.
(B) The current though the 3 resistor is 0.5 A
(C) The current through the 4 resistor is 0.5 A.
(D) The current through the 4 resistor is 0.25 A
7. N cells each of e.m.f. E & identical resistance r are grouped into sets of K cells connected in series. The
(N/K) sets are connected in parallel to a load of resistance R, then;

NR
(A) Maximum power is delivered to the load if K = .
r

r
(B) Maximum power is delivered to the load if K =
NR
E2
(C) Maximum power delivered to the load is
4Nr
NE2
(D) Maximum power delivered to the load is
4r
8. The wire shown in figure has a uniform cross-section A.

x= 0 x= L

L
Resistivity of the material of wire is given by 0 . A potential difference V is applied across the
L x
wire:-

0L V
(A) Resistance of wire is .ln 2 (B) Current density inside the wire is
A o L n(2)

V V
(C) Electric field at distance x is (D) Electric field at x = L is ln 2 L
(L x) n(2)
9. A battery of emf 10 volt and internal resistance 2 is connected to an external resistance 8 as shown in the
figure :- 8

10V 2
P Q

(A) Work done due to conservative electric field while a unit positive charge passes through battery from Q to P
(along the arrow) is 8 Joule.
(B) Work done due to conservative electric field while a unit positive charge passes through battery from Q to P
(along the arrow) is – 8 Joule.
(C) Work done due to conservative electric field while a unit positive charge passes through 8 along the arrow
is –8 Joule.
(D) Work done due to non conservative electric field while a unit positive charge moves from Q to P (along the
arrow) is 10 Joule.

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10. The value of the resistance R in figure is adjusted such that power dissipated in the 2 resistor is maximum.
Under this condition
(A) R = 0
(B) R = 8
(C) power dissipated in the 2 resistor is 72 W.
(D) power dissipated in the 2 resistor is 8 W.
11. In the circuit shown E, F, G and H are cells of e.m.f. 2V, 1V, 3V and 1V
respectively and their internal resistances are 2 , 1 , 3 and 1
respectively.
(A) VD – VB = – 2/13 V
(B) VD – VB = 2/13 V
(C) VG = 21/13 V = potential difference across G.
(D) VH = 19/13 V = potential difference across H.
12. Figure shows the net power dissipated in R versus the current in a simple circuit shown.
P(W)
5

3
E r
2

1
I(A)
0 2 4 5 6 8 10 R
(A) The internal resistance of battery is 0.2
(B) The emf of battery is 2V
(C) R at which power is 5W is 2.5
(D) At i = 2A, power is 3.2 W
13. A micro-ammeter has a resistance of 100 and full scale range of 50 A. It can be used as a voltmeter and an
ammeter of a higher range provided a resistance is added to it. Pick the correct range and resistance combina-
tion (s) : [1991; 2M]

(A) 50 V range with 10 k resistance is series

(B) 10 V range with 200 k resistance in series
(C) 5 mA range with 1 resistance in parallel
(D) 10 mA range with 1 resistance in parallel
14. Three voltmeters, all having different resistances, are joined as shown. When some
potential difference is applied across A and B, their readings are V1, V2, V3 :
(A) V1 = V2 (B) V1 V2
(C) V1 + V2 = V3 (D) V1 + V2 > V3

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15. In the potentiometer arrangement shown, the driving cell D has emf and
internal resistance r. The cell C, whose emf is to be measured, has emf /2
and internal resistance 2r. The potentiometer wire is 100-cm long. If balance is

obtained at the length AJ = .

(A) = 50 cm

(B) > 50 cm

(C) Balance will be obtained only if resistance of AB is r.

(D) Balance cannot be obtained.

16. Mark out the correct options.

(A) An ammeter should have small resistance.

(B) An ammeter should have large resistance.

(C) A voltmeter should have small resistance.

(D) A voltmeter should have large resistance.

17. In a potentiometer wire experiment the emf of a battery in the primary circuit is 20V and its internal resistance
is 5 . There is a resistance box in series with the battery and the potentiometer wire, whose resistance can be
varied from 120 to 170 . Resistance of the potentiometer wire is 75 . The following potential differences can
be measured using this potentiometer.

(A) 5V (B) 6V (C) 7V (D) 8V

PART - IV : COMPREHENSION
Comprehension # 1

In the shown circuit all cells are ideal.

B
9V 12V
3 6
8
I E
A C
12 36V
9
18
9V
D
1. The magnitude of current through 8 resistor connected between points B and E is equal to :

(A) 0.25 A (B) 0.5 A (C) 1 A (D) 2 A

2. The magnitude of current I through conducting wire connected between A and E is equal to :

1 4
(A) A (B) 1 A (C) A (D) Zero
3 3

3. Let potential at points B and D be V B and VD respectively. Then V B – VD is equal to :

(A) 4V (B) – 4V (C) 20 V (D) – 20 V

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Comprehension # 2
In the circuit given below, both batteries are ideal. Emf E 1 of battery 1 has a fixed value, but emf E 2 of
battery 2 can be varied between 1.0 V and 10.0 V. The graph gives the currents through the two batteries
as a function of E2, but are not marked as which plot corresponds to which battery. But for both plots,
current is assumed to be negative when the direction of the current through the battery is opposite the
direction of that battery's emf. (direction of emf is from negative to positive)

4. The value of emf E 1 is

(A) 8 V (B) 6 V (C) 4 V (D) 2V
5. The resistance R1 has value
(A) 10 (B) 20 (C) 30 (D) 40
6. The resistance R2 is equal to :
(A) 10 (B) 20 (C) 30 (D) 40

PART - I : JEE (ADVANCED) / IIT-JEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. Consider a thin square sheet of side L and thickness t, made of a material of resitivity . The resistance
between two opposite faces, shown by the shaded areas in the figure is : [IIT-JEE 2010; 3/163, –1]

t.
L

(A) directly proportional to L (B) directly proportional to t

(C) independent of L (D) independent of t
2. Incandescent bulbs are designed by keeping in mind that the resistance of their filament increases with
increase in temperature. If at room temperature, 100 W, 60 W and 40 W bulbs have filament resistances R100,
R60 and R40, respectively, the relation between these resistance is : [IIT-JEE 2010; 3/163, –1 ]

1 1 1 1 1 1
(A) (B) R100 = R40 + R60 (C) R100 > R60 > R40 (D)
R100 R 40 R 60 R100 R 60 R 40
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3. To verify Ohm's law, a student is provided with a test resistor RT , a high resistance R1, a small resistance R2,
two identical galvanometers G1 and G2, and a variable voltage source V. The correct circuit to carry out the
experiment is : [IIT-JEE 2010; 3/163, –1 ]

(A) (B)

R1 R2
G1 G1

G2 G2
RT RT

(C) R2 (D) R1

V V
4. When two identical batteries of internal resistance 1 each are connected in series across a resistor R, the
rate of heat produced in R is J1. When the same batteries are connected in parallel across R, the rate is J2.
If J1 = 2.25 J2 the value of R in is : [IIT-JEE 2010; 3/163]
5. Two batteries of different emfs and different internal resistances are connected as shown. The voltage across
AB in volts is [IIT-JEE 2011; 4/160]

6. For the resistance network shown in the figure, choose the correct option(s). [JEE-2012, Paper-1 : 4/66]

(A) The current through PQ is zero. (B) I1 = 3 A.

(C) The potential at S is less than that at Q. (D) I2 = 2 A.
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7. Heater of electric kettle is made of a wire of length L and diameter d. It takes 4 minutes to raise the temperature
of 0.5 kg water by 40K. This heater is replaced by a new heater having two wires of the same material, each
of length L and diameter 2d. The way these wires are connected is given in the options. How much time in
minutes will it take to raise the temperature of the same amount of water by 40K?
[JEE-Advanced 2014, 3/60, –1 ]
(A) 4 if wires are in parallel (B) 2 if wires are in series
(C) 1 if wires are in series (D) 0.5 if wires are in parallel.
8. Two ideal batteries of emf V1 and V2 and three resistances R1, R2 and R3 are
connected as shown in the figure. The current in resistance R2 would be zero if
[JEE (Advanced) 2014, 3/60, –1 ]
(A) V1 = V2 and R1 = R2 = R3
(B) V1 = V2 and R1 = 2R2 = R3
(C) V1 = 2V2 and 2R1 = 2R2 = R3
(D) 2V1 = V2 and 2R1 = R2 = R3
9. A galvanometer gives full scale deflection with 0.006 A current. By connecting it to a 4990 resistance, it
2n
can be converted into a voltmeter of range 0-30 V. If connected to a resistance, it becomes an
249
ammeter of range 0-1.5 A. The value of n is. [JEE (Advanced) 2014; 3/60, –1]
10. During an experiment with a metre bridge, the galvanometer shows a null point when the joceky is pressed at
40.0 cm using a standard resistance of 90 , as shown in the figure. The least count of the scale used in the
meter bridge is 1 mm. The unknown resistance is: [JEE (Advanced) 2014; 3/60, –1]

(A) 60 0.15 (B) 135 0.56 (C) 60 0.25 (D) 135 0.23
11. In an aluminum (Al) bar of square cross section, a square hole is drilled and is filled with iron (Fe) as shown
in the figure. The electrical resistivities of Al and Fe are 2.7 × 10–8 m and 1.0 × 10–7 m, respectively. The
electrical resistance between the two faces P and Q of the composite bar is: [JEE (Advanced) 2015; 3/60]

50mm
2mm
7mm
2475 1875 1875 2475
(A) (B) (C) (D)
64 64 49 132
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12. In the following circuit, the current through the resistor R (= 2 ) is I Amperes. The value of I is
[JEE (Advanced) 2015; 3/60]
R(=2 ) 1

2 8

6 2
4
6.5V 10

12 4

13. An infinite line charge of uniform electric charge density lies along the axis of an electrically conducting
infinite cylindrical shell of radius R. At time t = 0, the space inside the cylinder is filled with a material of
permittivity and electrical conductivity . The electrical conduction in the material follows Ohm's law.
Which one of the following graphs best describes the subsequent variation of the magnitude of current
density j(t) at any point in the material? [JEE Advanced-2016]

j(t) j(t) j(t) j(t)

(A) (B) (C) (D)

t t t t
(0,0) (0,0) (0,0) (0,0)

14.* An incandescent bulb has a thin filament of tungsten that is heated to high temperature by passing an
electric current. The hot filament emits black-body radiation. The filament is observed to break up at random
locations after a sufficiently long time of operation due to non-uniform evaporation of tungsten from the
filament. If the bulb is powered at constant voltage, which of the following statement(s) is(are) true?

(A) The temperature distribution over the filament is uniform [JEE (Advanced) 2016]

(B) The resistance over small sections of the filament decreases with time

(C) The filament emits more light at higher band of frequencies before it breaks up

(D) The filament consumes less electrical power towards the end of the life of the bulb

15.* Consider two identical galvanometers and two identical resistors with resistance R. If the internal resistance
of the galvanometers RC < R/2, which of the following statement(s) about any one of the galvanometers
is(are) true ? [JEE (Advanced) 2016]

(A) The maximum voltage range is obtained when all the components are connected in series

(B) The maximum voltage range is obtained when the two resistors and one galvanometer are connected in
series, and the second galvanometer is connected in parallel to the first galvanometer

(C) The maximum current range is obtained when all the components are connected in parallel

(D) The maximum current range is obtained when the two galvanometers are connected in series and the
combination is connected in parallel with both the resistors.

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Paragraph for Questions No. 16 and 17
Consider an evacuated cylindrical chamber of height h having rigid conducting plates at the ends and an
insulating curved surface as shown in the figure. A number of spherical balls made of a light weight and soft
material and coated with a conducting material are placed on the bottom plate. The balls have a radius r
<<h. Now a high voltage source (HV) is connected across the conducting plates such that the bottom plate
is at +V0 and the top plate at –V0. Due to their conducting surface, the balls will get charged, will become
equipotential with the plate and are repelled by it. The balls will eventually collide with the top plate, where
the coefficient of restitution can be taken to be zero due to the soft nature of the material of the balls. The
electric field in the chamber can be considered to be that of a parallel plate capacitor. Assume that there are
no collision between the balls and the interaction between them is negligible. (Ignore gravity)
[JEE (Advanced) 2016]

–
HV
+

16. Which of the following statements is correct ?

(A) The balls will bounce back to the bottom plate carrying the opposite charge they went up with
(B) the balls will execute simple harmonic motion between the two plates
(C) The balls will bounce back to the bottom plate carrying the same charge they went up with
(D) The balls will stick to the top plate and remain there
17. The average current in the steady state registered by the ammeter in the circuit will be :
1/2 2
(A) Proportional to V0 (B) Proportional to V0
(C) Proportional to the potential V0 (D) Zero
18. A moving coil galvanometer has 50 turns and each turn has an area 2 × 10–4 m2. The magnetic field porduced
by the magnet inside the galvanometer is 0.02 T. The torsional constant of the suspension wire is
10–4 N m rad–1. When a current flows through the galvanometer, a full scale deflection occurs if the coil
rotates by 0.2 rad. The resistance of the coil of the galvanometer is 50 . This galvanometer is to be converted
into an ammeter capable of measuring current in the range 0 – 1.0 A. For this purpose, a shunt resistance is to
be added in parallel to the galvanometer. The value of this shunt resistance, in ohms, is...........
[JEE (Advanced) 2018]
19. Two identical moving coil galvanometer have 10 resistance and full scale deflection at 2 µA current.
One of them is converted into a voltmeter of 100 mV full scale reading and the other into an Ammeter
of 1 mA full scale current using appropriate resistors. These are then used to measure the voltage and
current in the Ohm's law experiment with R = 1000 resistor by using an ideal cell. Which of the following
statement(s) is/are correct ? [JEE Advanced-2019]
(A) The measured value of R will be 978 < R < 982 .

(B) The resistance of the Voltmeter will be 100 k .

(C) The resistance of the Ammeter will be 0.02 ( round off to 2nd decimal place)

(D) If the ideal cell is replaced by a cell having internal resistance of 5 then the measured value of
R will be more than 1000 .
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PART - I : JEE(MAIN) / AIEEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. Two conductors have the same resistance at 0ºC but their temperature coefficients of resistance are 1 and
2. The respective temperature coefficients of their series and parallel combinations are nearly

[AIEEE 2010; 8/144]

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
(1) , 1 + 2 (2) 1 + 2 , (3) 1 + 2 , (4) ,
2 2 1 2 2 2

2. If a wire is stretched to make it 0.1% longer, its resistance will : [AIEEE - 2011, 4/120, –1][

(1) increase by 0.05% (2) increase by 0.2% (3) decrease by 0.2% (4) decrease by 0.05%

3. The current in the primary circuit of a potentiometer is 0.2 A. The specific resistance and cross-section of the
potentiometer wire are 4 × 10–7 ohm metre and 8 × 10–7 m2 respectively. The potential gradient will be equal to:
[AIEEE 2011, 11 May; 4/120, –1]
(1) 1 V/ m (2) 0.5 V/m (3) 0.1 V/m (4) 0.2 V/m

4. Two electric bulbs marked 25W – 220V and 100W – 220 V are connected in series to a 440 V supply. Which
of the bulbs will fuse ? [AIEEE 2012 ; 4/120, –1]

(1) both (2) 100W (3) 25W (4) neither

5. The supply voltage to room is 120 V. The resistance of the lead wires is 6 . A 60 W bulb is already switched
on. What is the decrease of voltage across the bulb, when a 240 W heater is switched on in parallel to the
bulb ? [JEE (Main) 2013; 4/120, –1]

(1) zero Volt (2) 2.9 Volt (3) 13.3 Volt (4) 10.04 Volt

6. This questions has Statement and Statement . Of the four choices given after the Statements, choose the
one that best describes the two Statements. [JEE (Main) 2013; 4/120, –1]

Statement - : Higher the range, greater is the resistance of ammeter.

Statement - : To increase the range of ammeter, additional shunt needs to be used across it.

(1) Statement - is true, Statment - is true, Statement - is the correct explanation of Statement - .
(2) Statement - is true, Statment - is true, Statement - is not the correct explanation of Statement - .
(3) Statement - is true, Statment - is false.

(4) Statement - is false, Statment - is true.

7. In a large building, there are 15 bulbs of 40W, 5 bulbs of 100 W, 5 fans of 80 W and 1 heater of 1 kW. The
voltage of the electric mains is 220 V. The minimum capacity of the main fuse of the building will be :
[JEE (MAIN) 2014 ; 4/120. –1]

(1) 8 A (2) 10 A (3) 12 A (4) 14 A

8. When 5V potential difference is applied across a wire of length 0.1 m, the drift speed of electrons is 2.5 × 10–
4 ms–1. If the electron density in the wire is 8 × 1028 m –3, the resistivity of the material is close to :-

[JEE (Main) 2015; 4/120, –1]

(1) 1.6 × 10–6 m (2) 1.6 × 10–5 m (3) 1.6 × 10–8 m (4) 1.6 × 10–7 m

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9. In the circuit shown, the current in the 1 resistor is :- [JEE (Main) 2015; 4/120, –1]

6V
P 2

1 9V

3 Q 3

(1) 0.13 A, from Q to P (2) 0.13 A, from P to Q

(3) 1.3 A, from P to Q (4) 0A

10. A galvanometer having a coil resistance of 100 gives a full scale deflection, when a current of
1 mA is passed through it. The value of the resistance, which can convert this galvanometer into ammeter
giving a full scale deflection for a current of 10A, is :- [JEE (Main) 2016; 4/120, –1]

(1) 3 (2) 0.01 (3) 2 (4) 0.1

11. A 50 resistance is connected to a battery of 5V. A galvanometer of resistance 100 is to be used as an

ammeter to measure current through the resistance, for this a resistance rs is connected to the galvanometer.
Which of the following connections should be employed if the measured current is within 1% of the current
without the ammeter in the circuit ? [JEE (Main) 2016 Online]

(1) rs = 1 in series with galvanometer

(2) rs = 0.5 in parallel with the galvanometer

(3) rs = 0.5 in series with the galvanometer

(4) rs = 1 in parallel with galvanometer

12. In the circuit shown, the resistance r is a variable resistance. If for r = f R, the heat generation in r is maximum
then the value of f is : [JEE (Main) 2016, Online]

R
R

1 1 3
(1) 1 (2) (3) (4)
4 2 4

13. The resistance of an electrical toaster has a temperature dependence given by R(T) = R0 [1 + (T – T0)] in its
range of operation. At T0 = 300 K, R = 100 and at T = 500 K, R = 120 . The toaster is connected to a
voltage source at 200 V and its temperature is raised at a constant rate from 300 to 500K in 30s. The total
work done in raising the temperature is :- [JEE (Main) 2016, Online]

1.5 5 2
(1) 400 ln J (2) 300 J (3) 400 ln J (4) 200 ln J
1.3 6 3

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14. Which of the following statements is false ? [JEE (Main) 2017]

(1) A rheostat can be used as a potential divider

(2) Kirchhoff's second law represents energy conservation

(3) Wheatstone bridge is the most sensitive when all the four resistances are of the same order of magnitude.

(4) In a balanced wheatstone bridge if the cell and the galvanometer are exchanged, the null point is disturbed.

15. When a current of 5 mA is passed through a galvanometer having a coil of resistance 15 , it shows full scale
deflection. The value of the resistance to be put in series with the galvanometer to convert it into to voltmeter
of range 0 – 10 V is :- [JEE (Main) 2017]

(1) 2.535 × 103 (2) 4.005 × 103 (3) 1.985 × 103 (4) 2.045 × 103

16. In the above circuit the current in each resistance is :- [JEE (Main) 2017]

2V 2V 2V

1 1
1

2V 2V 2V

(1) 0.5 A (2) 0 A (3) 1 A (4) 0.25 A

17. In a potentiometer experiment, it is found that no current passes through the galvanometer when the terminals
of the cell are connected across 52 cm of the potentiometer wire. If the cell is shunted by a resistance of
5 , a balance is found when the cell is connected across 40 cm of the wire. Find the internal resistance
of the cell. [JEE (Main) 2018]

(1) 1.5 (2) 2 (3) 2.5 (4) 1

18. On interchanging the resistances, the balance point of a meter bridge shifts to the left by
10 cm. The resistance of their series combination is 1 k . How much was the resistance on the left slot
before interchanging the resistances ? [JEE (Main) 2018]

(1) 505 k (2) 550 k (3) 910 k (4) 990 k

19. For the circuit shown, with R1 = 1.0 , R2 = 2.0 , E1 = 2 V and E2 = E3 = 4 V, the potential difference between
the points 'a' and 'b' is approximately (in V) : [JEE (Main) 2019-S1_April]

R1 a R1

R2 E3

E1 R1
E2

R1 b

(1) 2.7 (2) 3.3 (3) 2.3 (4) 3.7

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20. A 200 resistor has a certain color code. If one replaces the red color by green in the code, the new resistance
will be : [JEE (Main) April 2019-S1]

(1) 100 (2) 400 (3) 500 (4) 300

21. The current I1 (in A) flowing through 1 resistor in the following circuit is : [JEE (Main) Jan. 2020-S1]

I1 1
2
1

2
1V

(1) 0.5 (2) 0.2 (3) 0.25 (4) 0.4

22. In a building there are 15 bulbs of 45 W, 15 bulbs of 100 W, 15 small fans of 10 W and 2 heaters of 1 kW.
The voltage of electric main is 220 V. The minimum fuse capacity (rated value) of the building will be:
[JEE (Main) Jan. 2020-S2]

(1) 10 A (2) 25 A (3) 15 A (4) 20 A

23. Four resistances of 15 , 12 , 4 and 10 respectively in cyclic order to form Wheatstone's network.
The resistance that is to be connected in parallel with the resistance of 10 to balance the network is
________ . [JEE-Main 2020-S3_Jan]

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Exercise # 1

PART - I
SECTION (A) :
31
A-1. 31 C , A A-2. (i) Q = 600 C (ii) n = 75/2 x 1020
3

SECTION (B) :
B-1. 470 ± 5% . B-2. I /A B-3. 10 A. B-4. 3:1
B-5. T1 B-6. 0.2 %
SECTION (C) :
C-1. R1R 2

C-2. (a) E = 10 V each ; (b) (A) act as a load and (B) act as source ; (c) VA = 11V, VB = 9 V
(d) PA = 11 W, PB = 9 W (e) Heat rate = 1 W each ; (f) 10 W each ; (g) 11V, 9V (h) 11W, –9W
C-3. (a) all equal (b) y, then x and z equal (c) x, z equal, y
C-4. (a) VA = VB = VC = VD = 0 V, VE = VF = VG = VH = 10 V , V = VJ = VK = 15 V
(b) V1 = 15 V, V2 = 5V, V3 = 15 V; (c) each act as a source
(d) 17.5 A ( ), 15A( ) 2.5 A ( ), 5A ( ) from left to right in given circuit.
(e) 1 resistance ; (f) left most battery.

25 5
C-5. V = 2.78 V, A = 0.278 A C-6. (a) 10 . (b) 1600 J
9 18

C-7. 5 A, 74 V, 49 V (+ve terminal is connected at point B)

SECTION (D):

R Cu Ni 125
D-1. 15 A D-2. D-3. D-4. = 31.25 watt
3 3 Cu Ni r2 4

D-5. Rf = 2 .
D-6. (a) V3 = 3V, V2 = 2V, V4 = 4V (b) 10 W (c) 1 W (d) 9W (e) 9V (f) 4 resistance (g) 2 W.
D-7. (a) 3.7 V (b) 3.7 V D-8. (i) 2 (ii) 1.5 A D-9. W1 < W2 < W3
SECTION (E) :

E-1. 16A E-2. E-3. E-4. 5V

E-5. VQ – VP =21/5 = 4.2 V, = 35/2 mA = 17.5 mA (Q to P)

E-6. 12A, – 20W E-7. 1 A from D to B

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SECTION (F) :
4
F-1. (i) 50 V; (ii) 60 V F-2. (i) 200 (ii) 1.1 – = –0.23 V
3

72 10
F-3. r = (60) 60 – 1 = 12 F-4. ,5 F-5. 2.25 V
3

PART - II
SECTION (A) :
A-1. (C) A-2. (D) A-3. (C) A-4. (B,D) A-5. (C,D)

SECTION (B) :
B-1. (B) B-2. (A,D) B-3. (D)
SECTION (C) :
C-1. (A) C-2. (B) C-3. (B) C-4. (A) C-5. (C)
C-6. (B) C-7. (B) C-8. (B) C-9. (A)

SECTION (D) :
D-1. (D) D-2. (A) D-3. (A) D-4. (D) D-5. (C)
D-6. (B) D-7. (A) D-8. (C) D-9. (B) D-10. (B)

SECTION (E) :
E-1. (A) E-2. (A) E-3. (A)

SECTION (F) :
F-1. (D) F-2. (A) F-3. (D) F-4. (B) F-5. (D)
F-6. (A,B,C)

PART - III
1. (A) P; (B) Q; (C) R; (D) P 2. (A) q; (B) p; (C) p; (D) q
3. (A) Q; (B) P; (C) P
Exercise # 2

PART - I
1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (A) 4. (D) 5. (B)
6. (B) 7. (B) 8. (D) 9. (B) 10. (B)
11. (D) 12. (D) 13. (B) 14. (B) 15. (B)
16. (C) 17. (B) 18. (A)

PART - II
1. 2 2. 4 3. 11 4. (i) 2 (ii) 2 5. 3
6. 3 7. 35 8. 5 9. 1
10. (i) 2 (ii) 21 11. 20 12. 4, 37, 1 13. 41 14. 47

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PART - III
1. (A,B,C,D) 2. (A,B,D) 3. (A,B,C) 4. (A,B,D) 5. (A,B,C,D)

6. (A), (D) 7. (A,D) 8. (A,B,C) 9. (B,D) 10. (A,C)

11. (A,C,D) 12. (A,B,D) 13. (B,C) 14. (B,C) 15. (B,C)

16. (A,D) 17. (ABC)

PART - IV
1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (A) 4. (B) 5. (B)

6. (D)

Exercise # 3

PART - I
1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (C) 4. 4 5. 5

6. (A,B,C,D) 7. (B,D) 8. (A,B,D) 9. 5 10. (C)

11. (B) 12. 1 13. (A) 14. (C,D) 15. (B,C)

16. (A) 17. (B) 18. 05.55 19. (A,C)

PART - I
1. (4) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (3) 5. (4)

6. (4) 7. (3) 8. (2) 9. (1) 10. (2)

11. (2) 12. (3) 13. (1) 14. (4) 15. (3)

16. (2) 17. (1) 18. (2) 19. (2) 20. (3)

21. (2) 22. (4) 23. 10.00

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SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. A long cylinder with uniformly charged surface and cross sectional radius a = 1.0 cm moves with a constant
velocity v = 10 m/s, along its axis. An electric field strength at the surface of the cylinder is equal to
E = 0.9 KV/cm. Find the resulting covection current, that is, the current caused by mechanical transfer of
charge.
2. A long conductor of circular cross-section has radius r and lengh l as shown in the figure. The conductivity of
the material near the axis is 1 and increases linearly with the distance from axis and becomes 2 near the
surface. Find the resistance of the conductor if the current enters from the one end and leaves from the other
end.

3. A circular portion is cut of a disc of thickness t, its resistivity is and radii of disc are a and b (b > a). A
potential difference is maintained between outer and inner cylindrical surfaces of the disc. What is resistance
of the disc ?

b
V O a

4. When a cell is connected in a circuit, a current 1 flows in the circuit. When one more identical cell is
connected in series with the first one, a current 2 is found to flow in the circuit. When same cell is connected
in parallel with the first one, the current is found to be 3. Show that:3 2 3 = 2 1 ( 2 + 3).
5. In the circuit shown in figure, all wires have equal resistance r. Calculate equivalent resistance between A and
B?

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6. A battery is made by joining m rows of identical cells in parallel. Each row consists of n cells joined in series.
This battery sends a maximum current I in a given external resistor. Now the cells are so arranged that
instead of m rows, n rows are joined in parallel and each row consists of m cells joined in series. Find the
current through the same external resistor (Total number of cells which is equal to nm is connected)
7. Consider an infinite ladder network shown in fig. A voltage is applied between points A and B. If the
voltage is halved after each section, find the ratio R 1/R2. Suggest a method to terminate it after a few
sections without introducing much error in attenuation. [REE - 1998]

8. Determine the resistance RAB between points A and B of the frame made of thin homogeneous wire (as shown
in figure), assuming that the number of successively embedded equilateral triangles (with sides decreasing
by half) tends to infinity. Side AB is equal to a, and the resistance of unit length of the wire is .

A B

a
9. If the wire has resistivity and cross sectional area A, the equivalent resistance between P and Q is :-

P /2 /2

/2 /2

/2 /2

/2 /2 Q

2 2
(A*) (B) (C) (D)
2A A A A
10. A person decides to use his bath tub water to generate electric power to run a 40 watt bulb. The bath tub
is located at a height of 10 m from the ground and it holds 200 liters of water. If we install a water driven
wheel generator on the ground, at what rate should the water drain from the bath tub to light bulb? How
long can we keep the bulb on, if the bath tub was full initially. The efficiency of generator is 90 %.
(g=10m/s-2) [REE - 1990]

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11. A cell of emf 3.4 volt and internal resistance 3 connected to an ammeter having resistance 2 and
to an external resistance of 100 . When a voltmeter is connected across the 100 resistance the
ammeter reading is 0.04 ampere. Find the voltage read by the voltmeter and its resistance. Had the
voltmeter been an ideal one, what would have been its reading. [REE - 1990]

12. A D.C. supply of 120 volt is connected to a large resistance X. A volt meter of resistance 10 k , placed
in series in the circuit reads 4 volts. What is the value of X? What do you think is the purpose in using
a voltmeter, instead of an ammeter, to determine the large resistance X?

+ – 120 V –

X 10k
V

13. A galvanometer having 30 divisions has current sensitivity of 20 A/div. It has a resistance of 25 ohm. How will
you convert it to an ammeter measuring upto 1 ampere ? How will you now convert this ammeter into a
voltmeter reading upto 1 volt ? [REE - 1987]

14. A galvanometer having a coil resistance of 100 ohms gives a full scale deflection when a current of one
milli-ampere is passed through it. What is the value of resistance which can convert this galvanometer
into ammeter giving a full scale deflection for a current of 10 amperes? A resistance of the required value
is available but it will get burnt if the energy dissipated in it is greater than one watt. Can it be used for
the above described conversion of the galvanometer? When this modified galvanometer is connected
across the terminals of battery, it shows a current 4 amp. The current drops to 1 amp., when the
resistance of 1.5 ohm is connected in series with modified galvanometer. Find the emf and internal
resistance of battery. [JEE - 1972]

15. A 6 volt battery of negligible internal resistance is connected across a uniform wire AB of length 100 cm. The
positive terminal of another battery of emf 4V and internal resistance 1 is joined to the point A as shown in
figure. Take the potential at B to be zero. (a) What are the potentials at the points A and C ? (b) At which point
D of the wire AB, the potential is equal to the potential at C. (c) If the point C and D are connected by a wire,
what will be the current through it ? (d) If the 4V battery is replaced by 7.5 V battery, what would be the
answers of parts (a) and (b) ?

16. The emf and the internal resistance r of the battery shown in figure are 4.3 V and 1.0 respectively. The
external resistance R is 50 . The resistances of the ammeter and voltmeter are 2.0 and 200 respectively.
(a) Find the readings of the two meters. (b) The switch is thrown to the other side. What will be the readings
of the two meters now ?

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17. A nichrome wire of uniform cross-sectional area is bent to form a rectangular loop ABCD. Another nichrome
wire of the same cross-section is connected to form the diagonal AC. Find out the ratio of the resistances
across BD and AC if AB = 0.4 m and BC = 0.3 m. [REE - 2000]

18. A thin uniform wire AB of length 1 m, an unknown resistance X and a resistance of 12 are connected
by thick conducting strips, as shown in the figure. A battery and a galvanometer (with a sliding jockey
connected to it) are also available. Connections are to be made to measure the unknown resistance X
using the principle of Wheatstone bridge. Answer the following question. [IIT-JEE(Main) 2002; (1+2+2)/60]

(a) Are there positive and negative terminals on the galvanometer?

(b) Copy the figure in your answer book and show the battery and the galvanometer (with jockey)
connected at appropriate points.
(c) After appropriate connections are made, it is found that no deflection takes place in the
galvanometer when the sliding jockey touches the wire at a distance of 60 cm from A. Obtain
the value of the resistance X.
19. The resistance of the galvanometer G in the circuit is 25 . The meter deflects full scale for a current of 10 mA.
The meter behaves as an ammeter of three different ranges. The range is 0–10A, if the terminals O and P are
taken; range is 0–1 A between O and Q; range is 0–0.1 A between O and R. Calculate the resistance R1, R2
and R3.

R1 R2 R3

+ 10A 1A 0.1A
O P Q R
20. A galvanometer having 50 divisions provided with a variable shunt is used to measure the current as an
ammeter when connected in series with a resistance of 90 and a battery of internal resistance 10 . It is
observed that when the shunt resistance are 10 , 50 , respectively the deflection are respectively 9 & 30
divisions. What is the resistance of the galvanometer? Further if the full scale deflection of the galvanometer
movement is 300 mA, find the emf of the cell.

21. A galvanometer (coil resistance 99 ) is converted into a ammeter using a shunt of 1 and connected as
shown in the figure (i). The ammeter reads 3A. The same galvanometer is converted into a voltmeter by
connected a resistance of 101 in series. This voltmeter is connected as shown in figure (ii). Its reading is
found to be 4/5 of the full scale reading. Find
12V 12V
r r
(i) internal resistance r of the cell
(ii) range of the ammeter and voltmeter A 2

(iii) full scale deflection current of the galvanometer

v
2
Fig. (i) Fig. (ii)

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22. An electric heater has heating coils A and B, when coil A is switched on, the water boils in 10 minute, and
when coil B is switched on the water boils in 20 minute. Calculate the time taken by water, to boil if the coils
connected in [REE - 2000]

(a) Series and (b) Parallel all switched on.

23. The resistance of each resistor in the circuit diagram shown in figure is the same and equal to R. The voltage
15 U
across the terminals is U. If the value of current i in leads is then find n. (Neglect resistance of leads)
n R

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RRP (RELIABLE RANKER PROBLEMS)

1. 5 × 10–7 A 2.
1 r 2 (2 + )
2 1
R 3l

b 3r
3. ln 4.
2 t a 5

2mn 1
6. 2 2 7.
m n 2

a ( 7 1)
8. RAB = 9.
3 2A
68
10. 4/9 kg/sec; 450 sec 400 , 16 = 3.2 V, 11. = 3.238 V
5 21
12. 290 k , Due to very small value of current, Ammeter has not been used. The ammeter reading would
have been very small. Note that this is unusual use of a voltmeter. It is meant only for the measurement
of high resistance.
3
15 10
13. S= 3 0.015 in parallel R = 0.985 in series.
1 0.6 10

0.1
14. S= 3
0.01 , yes, E = 2V, r = 0.5 – 0.01 = 0.49 .
10 10

200
15. (a) 6 V, 2 V (b) AD = = 66.7 cm (c) zero (d) 6 V, – 1.5 V, no such point D exists.
3

1083.6 200 1083 .6 RBD 59

16. (a) 0.1 A, 4.0 V; (b) = 0.08 A, 4.3 – = 4.2 V 17. R AC 35
10652 252 10652

E B C 12 E B C 12
18. (a) No; (b) A
D or A
D (c) 8
J G J
G

19. R1 = 0.0278 , R2 = 0.25 , R3 = 2.5 20. 233.3 , 144V

20
21. (i) 1.01 (ii) 0-5 A, 0-10V, (iii) 0.05 A 22. (a) ts = 30 min. (b) tp = min.
3
23. 7

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JEE (ADVANCED) PAPER-1

SECTION-1 : ONE OPTION CORRECT (Maximum Marks - 12)
1. A resistance R of thermal coefficient of resistivity = is connected in parallel with a resistance = 3R, having
thermal coefficient of resistivity = 2 . Find the value of eff .

5 5 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) 3
4 2 3
2. When a galvanometer is shunted with a 4 resistance, the deflection is reduced to one - fifth. If the
galvanometer is further shunted with a 2 wire, determine current in galvanometer now if initially current
in galvanometer is 0 (given main current remain same) .
(A) 0/13 (B) 0/5 (C) 0/8 (D) 5 0/13
3. Two long straight cylindrical conductors with resistivities 1
and 2 respectively are joined together as shown in figure. If I I
current I flows through the conductors, the magnitude of the 1 2

total free charge at the interface of the two conductors is :-

1 2 I 0
(A) zero (B) (C) 0 I 1 2 (D) 0 I 1 2
2
4. In the circuit shown in figure reading of voltmeter is V1 when only S1 is closed, reading of voltmeter is V2 when
only S2 is closed and reading of voltmeter is V3 when both S1 and S2 are closed. Then

(A) V3 > V2 > V1 (B) V2 > V1 > V3 (C) V3 > V1 > V2 (D) V1 > V2 > V3

SECTION-2 : ONE OR MORE THAN ONE CORRECT (Maximum Marks - 32)

5. In the shown circuit, the power dissipated in resistor R3 is 30W. The reading of ammeter and voltmeter are 500
mA and 10V respectively. Ammeter, voltmeter and battery are ideal.

10 =R2

R3

R1
A

V
(A) the resistance R1 is 20 (B) the resistance R3 is 7.5
(C) emf of battery is 15V (D) power supplied by battery is 37.5 W
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6. In the shown figure

A V

10V
(A) If both ammeter and voltmeter are ideal, then reading of ammeter is zero, reading of voltmeter is 10 V
(B) If both ammeter and voltmeter are ideal, then reading of ammeter is 10 A, reading of voltmeter is 0 V
(C) If ammeter is non ideal, voltmeter is ideal, then reading of ammeter is less than 10A, reading of voltmeter
is10 V
(D) If ammeter is ideal, voltmeter is non ideal, then reading of ammeter is less than 10 A, reading
of voltmeter is less than 10V
7. In the given diagram choose correct options :-
10A 5
A
5 200V
10
5
6A B
10 5
10

(A) The value of I is 4A (B) The current from the cell is 4A.
(C) Voltage drop across AB is 140 V. (D) The current from the cell is 10A.
8. In the figure shown current will flow through branch A–B if

A B 10V

6 4

5V 10V
S1 S2

(A) both S1 and S2 are open. (B) S1 is open and S2 is closed.

(C) S1 is closed and S2 is open. (D) S1 and S2 both are closed.
9. A metal sphere of radius a is surrounded by a concentric metal sphere of inner radius of b, where b > a. The
space between the spheres is filled with a material whose electrical conductivity varies with the electric field
strength E as = kE where k is a constant. A potential difference V is maintained between spheres.
(A) Current is 4 r2 kE2, where (a < r < b)
(B) Current is 2 r2 kE2, where (a < r < b)

I b
(C) Potential difference between spheres is V = n where I is total current
4 k a

I b
(D) Potential difference between spheres is V = n where I is total current
2 k a

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10. The current through the 3 resistor (as shown in figure) is 2A. Then the value of VA–VB will be

A B 2

6
2
12V

(A) 20 V (B) 6 V (C) –6V (D) – 20 V

11. A student used potentiometer and galvanometer to make variable range voltmeter (V) as shown. He used this
voltmeter in figure–2.

ig = 100 mA Potentiometer (300 , 3m)

Rg =100
A B
A V
M Jockey
N
B
Galvanometer

Figure-1 : MN – length of potentiometer wire between point M and N

20

240

10V
Figure–2

(A) Reading of voltmeter is 8V when MN = 20 cm

(B) Reading of voltmeter is 7V when MN = 140 cm

(C) Maximum range of voltmeter is 40 volt

(D) Sensitivity of voltmeter decreases with increase in length MN R1

12. In the circuit shown both cells are ideal and of fixed emf, the resistor
of resistance R1 has fixed resistance and the resistance of resistor R2 E1 R2 E2
can be varied (but the value of R2 is not zero). Then :
(A) The electric power delivered to resistor of resistance R1 is independent of R2

(B) Electric power delivered by E1 is independent of R2

(C) Electric power delivered by E1 is dependent on R2

(D) Electric power delivered to R1 is dependent on R2.

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SECTION-3 : NUMERICAL VALUE TYPE (Maximum Marks - 18)

13. The value of the resistance R in the circuit shown below so that electric bulb consumes the rated power is :-

3V, 0.5W 4

R
6V 0.5

14. A constant voltage V0 (= 12V) is applied to a potential divider of resistance R (= 4 ), connected to an ideal
ammeter. A constant resistor r (= 2 ) is connected to the sliding contact of the potential divider (as shown).
Find the minimum current (in A) measured by ammeter.

V0

R
a A
x b C

r
15. An ammeter and a voltmeter are connected in series to a battery with an emf 6V. When a certain resistance
is connected in parallel with the voltmeter, the reading of the voltmeter decrease 2 times, whereas the reading
of the ammeter increase the same number of times. Find the voltmeter reading (in volts) after the connection
of the resistance.

16. ABCD is a square where each side is uniform wire of resistance 1 . A point E on CD is such that if a uniform
wire of resistance 1 is connected across AE and a potential difference is applied across A and C, the points

B and E are equipotential. If CE: ED = n : 1 then find n.

17. In a galvanometer, the deflection becomes one half when the galvanometer is shunted by a 20 resistor. The
galvanometer resistance is

18. Find the current through battery in amperes.

10

10

14
51

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SAT (Self Assessment Test)

1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (C) 4. (B) 5. (A,B,C,D)

6. (A,C,D) 7. (A,B,C) 8. (D) 9. (A,C) 10. (B,D)

11. (A,C,D) 12. (A,B) 13. 6 14. 2 15. 2

16. 2 17. 20 18. 9

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