Current Electricity (Physics)

Question 3.1:
The storage battery of a car has an emf of 12 V. If the internal resistance of the
battery is 0.4Ω, what is the maximum current that can be drawn from the battery?
Answer

Discussion
Emf of the battery, E = 12 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 0.4 Ω
Maximum current drawn from the battery = I
According to Ohm’s law,

The maximum current drawn from the given battery is 30 A.

Question 3.2:
A battery of emf 10 V and internal resistance 3 Ω is connected to a resistor. If the
current in the circuit is 0.5 A, what is the resistance of the resistor? What is the
terminal voltage of the battery when the circuit is closed?
Answer

Discussion
Emf of the battery, E = 10 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 3 Ω
Current in the circuit, I = 0.5 A
Resistance of the resistor = R
The relation for current using Ohm’s law is,

Terminal voltage of the resistor = V

According to Ohm’s law,
V = IR
= 0.5 × 17
= 8.5 V
Therefore, the resistance of the resistor is 17 Ω and the terminal voltage is
8.5 V.
Question 3.3:
(a) Three resistors 1 Ω, 2 Ω, and 3 Ω are combined in series. What is the total
resistance of the combination?
(b) If the combination is connected to a battery of emf 12 V and negligible internal
resistance, obtain the potential drop across each resistor.
Answer

Discussion
(a) Three resistors of resistances 1 Ω, 2 Ω, and 3 Ω are combined in series. Total
resistance of the combination is given by the algebraic sum of individual
resistances.
Total resistance = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 Ω
(b) Current flowing through the circuit = I
Emf of the battery, E = 12 V
Total resistance of the circuit, R = 6 Ω
The relation for current using Ohm’s law is,

Potential drop across 1 Ω resistor = V1

From Ohm’s law, the value of V1 can be obtained as
V1 = 2 × 1= 2 V … (i)
Potential drop across 2 Ω resistor = V2
Again, from Ohm’s law, the value of V2 can be obtained as
V2 = 2 × 2= 4 V … (ii)
Potential drop across 3 Ω resistor = V3
Again, from Ohm’s law, the value of V3 can be obtained as
V3 = 2 × 3= 6 V … (iii)
Therefore, the potential drop across 1 Ω, 2 Ω, and 3 Ω resistors are 2 V, 4 V, and 6
V respectively.
Question 3.4:
(a) Three resistors 2 Ω, 4 Ω and 5 Ω are combined in parallel. What is the total
resistance of the combination?
(b) If the combination is connected to a battery of emf 20 V and negligible internal
resistance, determine the current through each resistor, and the total current
drawn from the battery.
Answer

Discussion
(a) There are three resistors of resistances,
R1 = 2 Ω, R2 = 4 Ω, and R3 = 5 Ω
They are connected in parallel. Hence, total resistance (R) of the combination is
given by,
Therefore, total resistance of the combination is .
(b) Emf of the battery, V = 20 V
Current (I1) flowing through resistor R1 is given by,

Current (I2) flowing through resistor R2 is given by,

Current (I3) flowing through resistor R3 is given by,

Total current, I = I1 + I2 + I3 = 10 + 5 + 4 = 19 A
Therefore, the current through each resister is 10 A, 5 A, and 4 A respectively and
the total current is 19 A.
Question 3.5:
At room temperature (27.0 °C) the resistance of a heating element is 100 Ω. What
is the temperature of the element if the resistance is found to be 117 Ω, given that
the temperature coefficient of the material of the resistor is
Answer

Discussion
Room temperature, T = 27°C
Resistance of the heating element at T, R = 100 Ω
Let T1 is the increased temperature of the filament.
Resistance of the heating element at T1, R1 = 117 Ω
Temperature co-efficient of the material of the filament,
Therefore, at 1027°C, the resistance of the element is 117Ω.
Question 3.6:
A negligibly small current is passed through a wire of length 15 m and uniform
cross-section 6.0 × 10−7 m2, and its resistance is measured to be 5.0 Ω. What is the
resistivity of the material at the temperature of the experiment?
Answer

Discussion
Length of the wire, l =15 m
Area of cross-section of the wire, a = 6.0 × 10−7 m2
Resistance of the material of the wire, R = 5.0 Ω
Resistivity of the material of the wire = ρ
Resistance is related with the resistivity as

Therefore, the resistivity of the material is 2 × 10−7 Ω m.

Question 3.7:
A silver wire has a resistance of 2.1 Ω at 27.5 °C, and a resistance of 2.7 Ω at 100
°C. Determine the temperature coefficient of resistivity of silver.
Answer

Discussion
Temperature, T1 = 27.5°C
Resistance of the silver wire at T1, R1 = 2.1 Ω
Temperature, T2 = 100°C
Resistance of the silver wire at T2, R2 = 2.7 Ω
Temperature coefficient of silver = α
It is related with temperature and resistance as
Therefore, the temperature coefficient of silver is 0.0039°C −1.
Question 3.8:
Aheating element using nichrome connected to a 230 V supply draws an initial
current of 3.2 A which settles after a few seconds toa steady value of 2.8 A. What is
the steady temperature of the heating element if the room temperature is 27.0 °C?
Temperature coefficient of resistance of nichrome averaged over the temperature
range involved is 1.70 × 10−4 °C −1.
Answer

Discussion
Supply voltage, V = 230 V
Initial current drawn, I1 = 3.2 A
Initial resistance = R1, which is given by the relation,

Steady state value of the current, I2 = 2.8 A

Resistance at the steady state = R2, which is given as

Temperature co-efficient of nichrome, α = 1.70 × 10−4 °C −1

Initial temperature of nichrome, T1= 27.0°C

Study state temperature reached by nichrome = T2
T2 can be obtained by the relation for α,

Therefore, the steady temperature of the heating element is 867.5°C

Question 3.9:
Determine the current in each branch of the network shown in fig 3.30:
Answer

Discussion
Current flowing through various branches of the circuit is represented in the given
figure.

I1 = Current flowing through the outer circuit

I2 = Current flowing through branch AB
I3 = Current flowing through branch AD
I2 − I4 = Current flowing through branch BC
I3 + I4 = Current flowing through branch CD
I4 = Current flowing through branch BD
For the closed circuit ABDA, potential is zero i.e.,
10I2 + 5I4 − 5I3 = 0
2I2 + I4 −I3 = 0
I3 = 2I2 + I4 … (1)
For the closed circuit BCDB, potential is zero i.e.,
5(I2 − I4) − 10(I3 + I4) − 5I4 = 0
5I2 + 5I4 − 10I3 − 10I4 − 5I4 = 0
5I2 − 10I3 − 20I4 = 0
I2 = 2I3 + 4I4 … (2)
For the closed circuit ABCFEA, potential is zero i.e.,
−10 + 10 (I1) + 10(I2) + 5(I2 − I4) = 0
10 = 15I2 + 10I1 − 5I4
3I2 + 2I1 − I4 = 2 … (3)
From equations (1) and (2), we obtain
I3 = 2(2I3 + 4I4) + I4
I3 = 4I3 + 8I4 + I4
− 3I3 = 9I4
− 3I4 = + I3 … (4)
Putting equation (4) in equation (1), we obtain
I3 = 2I2 + I4
− 4I4 = 2I2
I2 = − 2I4 … (5)
It is evident from the given figure that,
I1 = I3 + I2 … (6)
Putting equation (6) in equation (1), we obtain
3I2 +2(I3 + I2) − I4 = 2
5I2 + 2I3 − I4 = 2 … (7)
Putting equations (4) and (5) in equation (7), we obtain
5(−2 I4) + 2(− 3 I4) − I4 = 2
− 10I4 − 6I4 − I4 = 2
17I4 = − 2

Equation (4) reduces to

I3 = − 3(I4)

Therefore, current in branch

In branch BC =

In branch CD =
In branch AD

In branch BD =

Total current =
Question 3.10:
(a) In a metre bridge [Fig. 3.27], the balance point is found to be at 39.5 cm from
the end A, when the resistor Y is of 12.5 Ω. Determine the resistance of X. Why are
the connections between resistors in a Wheatstone or meter bridge made of thick
copper strips?
(b) Determine the balance point of the bridge above if X and Y are interchanged.
(c) What happens if the galvanometer and cell are interchanged at the balance
point of the bridge? Would the galvanometer show any current?
Answer

Discussion
A metre bridge with resistors X and Y is represented in the given figure.

(a) Balance point from end A, l1 = 39.5 cm

Resistance of the resistor Y = 12.5 Ω
Condition for the balance is given as,

Therefore, the resistance of resistor X is 8.2 Ω.

The connection between resistors in a Wheatstone or metre bridge is made of thick
copper strips to minimize the resistance, which is not taken into consideration in
the bridge formula.
(b) If X and Y are interchanged, then l1 and 100−l1 get interchanged.
The balance point of the bridge will be 100−l1 from A.
100−l1 = 100 − 39.5 = 60.5 cm
Therefore, the balance point is 60.5 cm from A.
(c) When the galvanometer and cell are interchanged at the balance point of the
bridge, the galvanometer will show no deflection. Hence, no current would flow
through the galvanometer.
Question 3.11:
A storage battery of emf 8.0 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω is being charged by a
120 V dc supply using a series resistor of 15.5 Ω. What is the terminal voltage of
the battery during charging? What is the purpose of having a series resistor in the
charging circuit?
Answer

Discussion
Emf of the storage battery, E = 8.0 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 0.5 Ω
DC supply voltage, V = 120 V
Resistance of the resistor, R = 15.5 Ω
Effective voltage in the circuit = V1
R is connected to the storage battery in series. Hence, it can be written as
V1 = V − E
V1 = 120 − 8 = 112 V
Current flowing in the circuit = I, which is given by the relation,

Voltage across resistor R given by the product, IR = 7 × 15.5 = 108.5 V

DC supply voltage = Terminal voltage of battery + Voltage drop across R
Terminal voltage of battery = 120 − 108.5 = 11.5 V
A series resistor in a charging circuit limits the current drawn from the external
source. The current will be extremely high in its absence. This is very dangerous.
Question 3.12:
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?
Answer

Discussion
Emf of the cell, E1 = 1.25 V
Balance point of the potentiometer, l1= 35 cm
The cell is replaced by another cell of emf E2.
New balance point of the potentiometer, l2 = 63 cm
Therefore, emf of the second cell is 2.25V.
Question 3.13:
The number density of free electrons in a copper conductor estimated in Example
3.1 is 8.5 × 1028 m−3. How long does an electron take to drift from one end of a
wire 3.0 m long to its other end? The area of cross-section of the wire is 2.0 × 10 −6
m2 and it is carrying a current of 3.0 A.
Answer

Discussion
Number density of free electrons in a copper conductor, n = 8.5 × 1028 m−3 Length
of the copper wire, l = 3.0 m
Area of cross-section of the wire, A = 2.0 × 10−6 m2
Current carried by the wire, I = 3.0 A, which is given by the relation,
I = nAeVd
Where,
e = Electric charge = 1.6 × 10−19 C

Vd = Drift velocity

Therefore, the time taken by an electron to drift from one end of the wire to the
other is 2.7 × 104 s.
Question 3.14:
The earth’s surface has a negative surface charge density of 10 −9 C m−2. The
potential difference of 400 kV between the top of the atmosphere and the surface
results (due to the low conductivity of the lower atmosphere) in a current of only
1800 A over the entire globe. If there were no mechanism of sustaining
atmospheric electric field, how much time (roughly) would be required to neutralise
the earth’s surface? (This never happens in practice because there is a mechanism
to replenish electric charges, namely the continual thunderstorms and lightning in
different parts of the globe). (Radius of earth = 6.37 × 10 6 m.)
Answer

Discussion
Surface charge density of the earth, σ = 10−9 C m−2
Current over the entire globe, I = 1800 A
Radius of the earth, r = 6.37 × 106 m
Surface area of the earth,
A = 4πr2
= 4π × (6.37 × 106)2
= 5.09 × 1014 m2
Charge on the earth surface,
q=σ×A
= 10−9 × 5.09 × 1014
= 5.09 × 105 C
Time taken to neutralize the earth’s surface = t

Current,

Therefore, the time taken to neutralize the earth’s surface is 282.77 s.

Question 3.15:
(a) Six lead-acid type of secondary cells each of emf 2.0 V and internal resistance
0.015 Ω are joined in series to provide a supply to a resistance of 8.5 Ω. What are
the current drawn from the supply and its terminal voltage?
(b) A secondary cell after long use has an emf of 1.9 V and a large internal
resistance of 380 Ω. What maximum current can be drawn from the cell? Could the
cell drive the starting motor of a car?
Answer

Discussion
(a) Number of secondary cells, n = 6
Emf of each secondary cell, E = 2.0 V
Internal resistance of each cell, r = 0.015 Ω
series resistor is connected to the combination of cells.
Resistance of the resistor, R = 8.5 Ω
Current drawn from the supply = I, which is given by the relation,
Terminal voltage, V = IR = 1.39 × 8.5 = 11.87 A
Therefore, the current drawn from the supply is 1.39 A and terminal voltage is
11.87 A.
(b) After a long use, emf of the secondary cell, E = 1.9 V
Internal resistance of the cell, r = 380 Ω

Hence, maximum current

Therefore, the maximum current drawn from the cell is 0.005 A. Since a large
current is required to start the motor of a car, the cell cannot be used to start a
motor.
Question 3.16:
Two wires of equal length, one of aluminium and the other of copper have the same
resistance. Which of the two wires is lighter? Hence explain why aluminium wires
are preferred for overhead power cables. (ρAl = 2.63 × 10−8 Ω m, ρCu = 1.72 × 10−8
Ω m, Relative density of Al = 2.7, of Cu = 8.9.)
Answer

Discussion
Resistivity of aluminium, ρAl = 2.63 × 10−8 Ω m
Relative density of aluminium, d1 = 2.7
Let l1 be the length of aluminium wire and m1 be its mass.
Resistance of the aluminium wire = R1
Area of cross-section of the aluminium wire = A1
Resistivity of copper, ρCu = 1.72 × 10−8 Ω m
Relative density of copper, d2 = 8.9
Let l2 be the length of copper wire and m2 be its mass.
Resistance of the copper wire = R2
Area of cross-section of the copper wire = A2
The two relations can be written as

It is given that,

And,
Mass of the aluminium wire,
m1 = Volume × Density
= A1l1 × d1 = A1 l1d1 … (3)
Mass of the copper wire,
m2 = Volume × Density
= A2l2 × d2 = A2 l2d2 … (4)
Dividing equation (3) by equation (4), we obtain

It can be inferred from this ratio that m1 is less than m2. Hence, aluminium is
lighter than copper.
Since aluminium is lighter, it is preferred for overhead power cables over copper.
Question 3.17:
What conclusion can you draw from the following observations on a resistor made
of alloy manganin?
Current Voltage Current Voltage
A V A V

0.2 3.94 3.0 59.2

0.4 7.87 4.0 78.8

0.6 11.8 5.0 98.6

0.8 15.7 6.0 118.5

1.0 19.7 7.0 138.2

 2.0 39.4 8.0 158.0
Answer

Discussion
It can be inferred from the given table that the ratio of voltage with current is a
constant, which is equal to 19.7. Hence, manganin is an ohmic conductor i.e., the
alloy obeys Ohm’s law. According to Ohm’s law, the ratio of voltage with current is
the resistance of the conductor. Hence, the resistance of manganin is 19.7 Ω.
Question 3.18:
Answer the following questions:
(a) A steady current flows in a metallic conductor of non-uniform cross- section.
Which of these quantities is constant along the conductor: current, current density,
electric field, drift speed?
(b) Is Ohm’s law universally applicable for all conducting elements?
If not, give examples of elements which do not obey Ohm’s law.
(c) A low voltage supply from which one needs high currents must have very low
internal resistance. Why?
(d) A high tension (HT) supply of, say, 6 kV must have a very large internal
resistance. Why?
Answer

Discussion
(a) When a steady current flows in a metallic conductor of non-uniform cross-
section, the current flowing through the conductor is constant. Current density,
electric field, and drift speed are inversely proportional to the area of cross-section.
Therefore, they are not constant.
(b) No, Ohm’s law is not universally applicable for all conducting elements. Vacuum
diode semi-conductor is a non-ohmic conductor. Ohm’s law is not valid for it.
(c) According to Ohm’s law, the relation for the potential is V = IR
Voltage (V) is directly proportional to current (I).
R is the internal resistance of the source.

If V is low, then R must be very low, so that high current can be drawn from the
source.
(d) In order to prohibit the current from exceeding the safety limit, a high tension
supply must have a very large internal resistance. If the internal resistance is not
large, then the current drawn can exceed the safety limits in case of a short circuit.
Question 3.19:
Choose the correct alternative:
(a) Alloys of metals usually have (greater/less) resistivity than that of their
constituent metals.
(b) Alloys usually have much (lower/higher) temperature coefficients of resistance
than pure metals.
(c) The resistivity of the alloy manganin is nearly independent of/increases rapidly
with increase of temperature.
(d) The resistivity of a typical insulator (e.g., amber) is greater than that of a metal
by a factor of the order of (1022/103).
Answer

Discussion
(a) Alloys of metals usually have greater resistivity than that of their constituent
metals.
(b) Alloys usually have lower temperature coefficients of resistance than pure
metals.
(c) The resistivity of the alloy, manganin, is nearly independent of increase of
temperature.
(d) The resistivity of a typical insulator is greater than that of a metal by a factor of
the order of 1022.
Question 3.20:
(a) Given n resistors each of resistance R, how will you combine them to get the (i)
maximum (ii) minimum effective resistance? What is the ratio of the maximum to
minimum resistance?
(b) Given the resistances of 1 Ω, 2 Ω, 3 Ω, how will be combine them to get an
equivalent resistance of (i) (11/3) Ω (ii) (11/5) Ω, (iii) 6 Ω, (iv) (6/11) Ω?
(c) Determine the equivalent resistance of networks shown in Fig. 3.31.

Answer

Discussion
(a) Total number of resistors = n
Resistance of each resistor = R
(i) When n resistors are connected in series, effective resistance R1is the maximum,
given by the product nR.
Hence, maximum resistance of the combination, R1 = nR
(ii) When n resistors are connected in parallel, the effective resistance (R2) is the

minimum, given by the ratio .

Hence, minimum resistance of the combination, R2 =

(iii) The ratio of the maximum to the minimum resistance is,
(b) The resistance of the given resistors is,
R1 = 1 Ω, R2 = 2 Ω, R3 = 3 Ω2

Equivalent resistance,
Consider the following combination of the resistors.

Equivalent resistance of the circuit is given by,

Equivalent resistance,
Consider the following combination of the resistors.

Equivalent resistance of the circuit is given by,

(iii) Equivalent resistance, R’ = 6 Ω

Consider the series combination of the resistors, as shown in the given circuit.

Equivalent resistance of the circuit is given by the sum,

R’ = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 Ω

(iv) Equivalent resistance,

Consider the series combination of the resistors, as shown in the given circuit.

Equivalent resistance of the circuit is given by,

(c) (a) It can be observed from the given circuit that in the first small loop, two
resistors of resistance 1 Ω each are connected in series.
Hence, their equivalent resistance = (1+1) = 2 Ω
It can also be observed that two resistors of resistance 2 Ω each are connected in
series.
Hence, their equivalent resistance = (2 + 2) = 4 Ω.
Therefore, the circuit can be redrawn as
It can be observed that 2 Ω and 4 Ω resistors are connected in parallel in all the
four loops. Hence, equivalent resistance (R’) of each loop is given by,

The circuit reduces to,

All the four resistors are connected in series.

Hence, equivalent resistance of the given circuit is

(b) It can be observed from the given circuit that five resistors of resistance R each
are connected in series.
Hence, equivalent resistance of the circuit = R + R + R + R + R
=5R
2
Question 3.21:
Determine the current drawn from a 12 V supply with internal resistance 0.5 Ω by
the infinite network shown in Fig. 3.32. Each resistor has 1 Ω resistance.

Answer

Discussion
The resistance of each resistor connected in the given circuit, R = 1 Ω
Equivalent resistance of the given circuit = R’
The network is infinite. Hence, equivalent resistance is given by the relation,

Negative value of R’ cannot be accepted. Hence, equivalent resistance,

Internal resistance of the circuit, r = 0.5 Ω
Hence, total resistance of the given circuit = 2.73 + 0.5 = 3.23 Ω
Supply voltage, V = 12 V

According to Ohm’s Law, current drawn from the source is given by the ratio,
= 3.72 A
Question 3.22:
Figure 3.33 shows a potentiometer with a cell of 2.0 V and internal resistance 0.40
Ω maintaining a potential drop across the resistor wire AB. A standard cell which
maintains a constant emf of 1.02 V (for very moderate currents up to a few mA)
gives a balance point at 67.3 cm length of the wire. To ensure very low currents
drawn from the standard cell, a very high resistance of 600 kΩ is put in series with
it, which is shorted close to the balance point. The standard cell is then replaced by
a cell of unknown emf ε and the balance point found similarly, turns out to be at
82.3 cm length of the wire.

(a) What is the value ε ?

(b) What purpose does the high resistance of 600 kΩ have?
(c) Is the balance point affected by this high resistance?
(d) Is the balance point affected by the internal resistance of the driver cell?
(e) Would the method work in the above situation if the driver cell of the
potentiometer had an emf of 1.0 V instead of 2.0 V?
(f ) Would the circuit work well for determining an extremely small emf, say of the
order of a few mV (such as the typical emf of a thermo-couple)? If not, how will you
modify the circuit?
Answer

Discussion
(a) Constant emf of the given standard cell, E1 = 1.02 V
Balance point on the wire, l1 = 67.3 cm
A cell of unknown emf, ε,replaced the standard cell. Therefore, new balance point
on the wire, l = 82.3 cm
The relation connecting emf and balance point is,
The value of unknown emfis 1.247 V.
(b) The purpose of using the high resistance of 600 kΩ is to reduce the current
through the galvanometer when the movable contact is far from the balance point.
(c) The balance point is not affected by the presence of high resistance.
(d) The point is not affected by the internal resistance of the driver cell.
(e) The method would not work if the driver cell of the potentiometer had an emf of
1.0 V instead of 2.0 V. This is because if the emf of the driver cell of the
potentiometer is less than the emf of the other cell, then there would be no balance
point on the wire.
(f) The circuit would not work well for determining an extremely small emf. As the
circuit would be unstable, the balance point would be close to end A. Hence, there
would be a large percentage of error.
The given circuit can be modified if a series resistance is connected with the wire
AB. The potential drop across AB is slightly greater than the emf measured. The
percentage error would be small.
Question 3.23:
Figure 3.34 shows a potentiometer circuit for comparison of two resistances. The
balance point with a standard resistor R = 10.0 Ω is found to be 58.3 cm, while that
with the unknown resistance X is 68.5 cm. Determine the value of X. What might
you do if you failed to find a balance point with the given cell of emf ε?

Answer

Discussion
Resistance of the standard resistor, R = 10.0 Ω
Balance point for this resistance, l1 = 58.3 cm
Current in the potentiometer wire = i
Hence, potential drop across R, E1 = iR
Resistance of the unknown resistor = X
Balance point for this resistor, l2 = 68.5 cm
Hence, potential drop across X, E2 = iX
The relation connecting emf and balance point is,

Therefore, the value of the unknown resistance, X, is 11.75 Ω.

If we fail to find a balance point with the given cell of emf, ε, then the potential
drop across R and X must be reduced by putting a resistance in series with it. Only
if the potential drop across R or X is smaller than the potential drop across the
potentiometer wire AB, a balance point is obtained.
Question 3.24:
Figure 3.35 shows a 2.0 V potentiometer used for the determination of internal
resistance of a 1.5 V cell. The balance point of the cell in open circuit is 76.3 cm.
When a resistor of 9.5 Ω is used in the external circuit of the cell, the balance point
shifts to 64.8 cm length of the potentiometer wire. Determine the internal
resistance of the cell.

Answer

Discussion
Internal resistance of the cell = r
Balance point of the cell in open circuit, l1 = 76.3 cm
An external resistance (R) is connected to the circuit with R = 9.5 Ω
New balance point of the circuit, l2 = 64.8 cm
Current flowing through the circuit = I
The relation connecting resistance and emf is,
Therefore, the internal resistance of the cell is 1.68Ω.