CHAPTER 3 5.

Derive a relation between drift

CURRENT ELECTRICITY velocity and current.
Ans: Consider a conductor of length
1. Define electric current. Give its SI ‘’ and number density of electrons ‘n’.
unit.
[n = number of electrons per volume]
Ans: Current is the rate of flow The distance travelled by electron in dt
of electric charge. time = vddt
dq
I= [ or I = q/t ]
dt
SI unit is ampere (A), 1A=1C/s

2. Define current density ( J ). Give its

SI unit.
Ans: It is the current flowing The number of free electrons in the
distance vddt
through unit area of cross section = Avddt × n
of a conductor. The total charge crossing the area A in
I
dt time
J= S.I unit is A/m2 dq= neAvddt
A
dq
3. Define drift velocity (vd).  Current I =
dt
Ans: In the absence of an external
electric field, inside a conductor the neAvd dt
I= = neAvd
free electrons are in random motion; dt
and so their average velocity is zero.
When an electric field is applied
the electrons move opposite to the J=I/A
electric field and get an average neAvd
J=
velocity. A
The average velocity acquired by

an electron in the presence of an

6. Derive a relation between drift
external electric field is called
velocity (vd ) and relaxation time (τ).
drift velocity. Ans: Let vi be the initial velocity of an
electron just after a collision. The
4. Define relaxation time. velocity of the electron after the
Ans: Relaxation time is the relaxation time ‘τ’ is given by,
vd = vi + aτ
average time interval between eE
= vi 
two successive collisions. m



SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 1
But just after a collision electron can 2. Emf exists only between the
be taken at rest ie, vi = 0
 terminals of the cell. But
eE  e E  potential difference exists
vd = vd =
m m
throughout the circuit.
7. Define mobility 3. Emf is the cause and
Ans: Mobile charge carriers are
potential difference is the
responsible for conductivity.
In metals, electrons are the charge after effect.
carriers. 4. Emf is always greater than
In electrolytes both +ve and –ve ions
are charge carriers. potential difference.
In semiconductors, conduction is
partially by electrons and partially by
9. State Ohm’s law.
holes.
Ans: Ohm’s law states that ‘at
Mobility ‘µ’ is defined as the ratio
constant temperature the current
of magnitude of the drift velocity flowing through a conductor is
to electric field strength. directly proportional to potential
| vd | eE e difference between the ends of
µ=  
E E m the conductor’.
-1 -1
SI unit of mobility is CmN s or Current α Potential difference.
m2V-1S-1. IαV I=
1
V
R
8. Distinguish between emf and R  Resistance of the conductor.
potential difference. V = IR
Ans:
1. Emf is the difference in 10. What is meant by resistance?
Ans: It is the ability of a
potential between the
conductor to oppose electric
terminals of a cell, when no
current.
current is drawn from it.
SI unit of resistance is ohm.
Potential difference is the

difference in potential between 11. What are the factors which affect
the resistance of a conductor?
the terminals of a cell or between
Ans:
any two points in a circuit when 1. Nature of the material
current is drawn from the cell. of the conductor.

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 2. Length of the conductor
1
SI unit = = ohm-1 = mho.
Ω
‘’ (directly
15. Define conductivity (𝝈)
proportional) Ans:
3. Area of cross-section ‘A’
1
Conductivity 𝜎 =
𝜌
(Inversely proportional) Conductivity is the reciprocal of
resistivity.
4. Temperature (directly
SI unit of conductivity is Ω-1m-1or mho
proportional) m-1

16. What are the factors which

12. Write the equation for the
affect resistivity?
resistance of a conductor in terms of
its length and area of cross section. Ans: i. Nature of the material of
Ans: R ∝ the conductor.

R∝
1
ii. Temperature
𝐴
𝑙
R∝ 17. Derive the relation for resistivity
𝐴
𝒍 in terms of relaxation time.
R=𝝆
𝑨
𝜌 The resistivity of the material of Ans:
the conductor.
S.I. unit of Resistivity ohm-metre (Ω - We know, I  neAv d
m) eE
and v d 
m
eE ne 2 AE
13. Define resistivity of the material  I  neA 
m m
of a conductor. V
Ans: Resistivity, But we have E 
𝑹𝑨
𝝆= ne 2 AV
𝒍 I 
m
Put A = 1 m2,  = 1m
𝑅.1 V m
𝜌= =R   2
1 I ne A
“Resistivity of the material of a m
R
conductor is defined as the resistance ne 2 A
of the conductor having unit length  m
 
A ne 2 A
and unit area of cross section.
Re sistivity,
m
14. Define conductance (C) 
1 ne 2 
Ans: Conductance C = Conductivity,
𝑅
Conductance is the reciprocal of ne 2 

resistance. m

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18. A wire of resistance 4𝛀 is drawn have the same resistance. Which wire
(a) to twice its original length is thicker?
23. Why copper is used as for
(b) to thrice its original length. making connecting wires?
Calculate the new resistance in each Ans: Copper has low resistivity.
case
24. Why Nichrome is used as
heating element of electrical
19[P]. A wire of resistance 4R is bent devices?
in to the form of a circle. What is the Ans: Nichrome has
i) High resistivity
effective resistance between the ends
ii) High melting point.
of diameter?
25. Why aluminium wires are
preferred for overhead power
cables?
20[P]. A copper wire is in the form of Ans: Aluminium has low resistivity. It
a cylinder and has a resistance R. It is is cheaper and lighter.
stretched till its thickness reduces by
26. What are Ohmic and Non-
half of its initial size. Find its new
ohmic substances.
resistance in terms of R. Ans:
Ohmic substances
21[P].The voltage current graphs for They are the substances which obey
two resistors of the same material ohms law. For these substances V-I
and same radii with lengths L1 and L2 graph is linear.
Eg: Metals
are shown in the figure. If L1>L2,
state with reason, which of these
graphs represents voltage current
change for L1.

Non – ohmic substances

They are the substances which do not
obey ohm’s law. For these substances
V-I graph is nonlinear.

22[Q]. Two wires of equal lengths, one

of copper and the other of manganin,

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 4
 temperature. Moreover these materials
have high resistivity.

30[P]. At room temperature (27.00C)

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
Eg:-Semiconductors, diodes,
coefficient of the material of the
vacuum tubes, electrolytes etc.
resistor is 1.70 x 10-4 0C-1 ?
27. Ohm’s law is not a universal law.
Explain. 31[P]. A silver wire has a resistance of
Ans: All materials do not obey Ohm’s 2.1 𝜴 at 27.50C and a resistance of
law. Metals obey ohms law while
2.7𝜴 at 1000C. Determine the temp
semiconductors, electrolytes, diodes
etc. do not obey Ohm’s law. So Ohm’s coefficient of resistivity of silver.
law is not a universal law.
32. Give the codes for different
28. Explain how resistance depends coloured rings of carbon resistors.
Ans:
on temperature.
Colour coding of carbon
Ans: When temperature increases,
resistors
resistances of materials change.
R2 = R1[1 + α (T2-T1)] Colour Code Tolerance
R1 resistance at the reference Black 0
temperature T1. Brown 1
R2 resistance at temperature T2. Red 2
Orange 3
∝ Temperature coefficient of
Yellow 4
resistance.
Green 5
Unit of ∝ is 0C-1 or K-1 Blue 6
The value of ∝ is positive for metals Violet 7
negative for semiconductors and nearly Grey 8
zero for insulators. White 9
Gold -1 5%
29. Why materials like constantan Silver -2 10%
and manganin are used to make No 20%
standard resistances? colour
Ans: The temperature coefficient of
resistance of these materials is nearly
zero. Therefore, their resistances do
not change considerably with

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 5
33. Determine the resistance of the Consider resistances R1, R2 and R3
carbon resistor in the following connected in series with a voltage V.
figure. In series circuit the current is the
Ans:-
same, but the voltages across

different resistors are different.

Resistance R = (47×102±5%)Ω

34[P]. Determine the resistances of The applied voltage,

the following carbon resistors. V = V1 + V2 + V3 ---- (1)
But V = IRs
V1 = IR1, V2 = IR2 and V3 =
IR3
(1)  IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3
IRs = I (R1+R2+R3)
Rs = R1 + R2+ R3
If there are ‘n’ resistors.
Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 + ……… + Rn

ii) parallel
35. Determine the resistance of a Consider three resistances R1, R2
resistor with the following colours and R3 connected in parallel.
for the rings: Blue, Grey, Black, No
colour.
Ans:-R = (68 × 100 ± 20%)Ω
= (68 ± 20%) Ω

36. What is the use of colour coding.

Ans: Colour coding of a carbon
resistance is used to find the value of
resistance. In parallel circuit voltage across

each resistor is the same but the

37. Derive expressions for the
currents are different.
effective resistance when three
resistors are connected in (i) series I = I1 + I2 + I3 …………. (2)
(ii) parallel V
I=
Ans: Rp

(i) series

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 6
I1 =
V
I2 =
V
I3 =
V minimum effective resistance? What
R1 R2 R3
is the ratio of the maximum to

V V V V minimum effective resistance?
(2)  = + +
Rp R1 R2 R3
41[P]. Determine the equivalent
resistance of the network shown in
figure.
If there are n resistors
1 1 1 1 1
   + …………….. +
R p R1 R2 R3 Rn

38[P]. (a) Three resistors

1 𝛺, 2𝛺 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3𝛺 are combined in
42[P]. Find the equivalent resistance
series. What is the total resistance of
the combination? between A and B.

(b) If the combination is connected to

a battery of emf 12V and negligible
internal resistance, obtain the
potential drop across each resistor.

39[P]. (a)Three resistors

43. Define internal resistance of a
2 𝛺, 4𝛺 𝑎𝑛𝑑 5𝛺 are combined in cell.
parallel. What is the total resistance of Ans: In the external circuit, the current
flows from the positive terminal of the
the combination?
cell to the negative terminal. But inside
(b) If the combination the cell the current flows from –ve
terminal to the +ve terminal.
is connected to a battery of emf 20V
and negligible internal resistance,
“Internal resistance of a cell is the
determine the current through each
resistance offered by the electrolyte
resistor and the total current drawn
and electrodes of the cell”.
from the battery.

40[P]. Given n resistors each of

resistance ‘R’. How will you combine
them to get the (i) maximum (ii)

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 7
 the maximum current that can be
drawn from the battery?

47[P]. A battery of emf 10V and

internal resistance 3𝜴 is connected to
a resistor. If the current in the circuit
is 0.5A, what is the resistance of the
Effective resistance = R + r resistor? What is the terminal voltage
E
Current I = of the battery?
Rr
I(R + r) = E  IR + Ir = E
But IR = V V Terminal Voltage 48. Derive expressions for the
V + Ir = E current due to a combination of
Ir = E – V cells.
Ans:
EV
r i) Series
I Consider n cells connected in series
with a resistor R.
44. What are the factors which affect
the internal resistance of a cell?
Ans: (i) The nature of the

electrolyte and the electrodes.

(ii) The distance between

Total emf= E +E + E + ……. + E = nE
the electrodes. Total Internal resistance
= r + r + r + …………… + r = nr
(iii) Temperature
 Effective resistance = R + nr

45. It is easier to start a car engine on

emf nE
a warm day than a chilly day. Why? Current I = 
Ans: Internal resistance of a car battery resis tan ce R  nr
decreases on a warm day due to
increase in temperature. Therefore,
more current flows to the spark plug.
ii) Parallel
Consider n cells connected in parallel
46[P]. The storage battery of a car has with an external resistance.
an emf of 12V. If the internal
resistance of a battery is 0.4𝜴, what is

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 8
 I1 + I2 + I3 – I4 – I 5 = 0
Or I1 + I2 + I3 = I4 + I5

Kirchhoff’s Ist rule is a statement of law of

conservation of charge.
Total internal resistance
2nd rule [Voltage Rule or Loop rule
or mesh rule]

Kirchhoff’s second rule states

that ‘In a closed circuit the
algebraic sum of the voltages is
zero’.

49. State Kirchhoff’s rules.

Ans:
1st rule (Current rule or Junction
rule)
Kirchhoff’s first rule states In the closed circuit ABFGA
I2R2 + I1R1= E
that “In a closed circuit the
Similarly for the mesh [closed circuit]
algebraic sum of the currents
BCDFB,
meeting at a junction is zero” I3R3 -I2R2 = 0
In other words, Kirchhoff’s second rule is a statement of law
The total current entering a junction of conservation of energy.
is equal to the total current leaving
the junction.

Wheatstone’s Bridge

50. What is the use of a

Wheatstone’s bridge?
Ans: It is used to find the resistance
of a given wire.

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 9
51. Derive the balancing condition This is the balancing condition of
of Wheatstone’s bridge. Explain Wheatstone’s bridge.
how the unknown resistance can be Procedure
determined. The wire whose resistance is to
Ans: be determined (Q) is connected across
Circuit Details B and C. The value of resistance S is
Consider 4 resistances P, Q, R adjusted so that the current through the
and S connected in the form of a galvanometer is zero. Now the bridge
bridge. A cell of emf ‘E’ is connected P R
is balanced and we have 
between the terminals A and C. A Q S
galvanometer is connected between the Since the values of P, Q, R and S are
terminals B and D. known, we can calculate the value of Q
PS
using the equation Q 
R

52[P]. Calculate the equivalent

resistance between X and Y of the
following network.

Balancing Condition
Applying Kirchhoff’s 2nd rule in the
loop ABDA,
I1P +IgG - I2R = 0 …. (1)
Again in the mesh BCDB,
I3Q - I4S - IgG = 0 …………. (2)
The resistance ‘S’ is adjusted so that 53[P]. Determine the current in each
current through the galvanometer is
branch of the network shown in
made zero. ie.,Ig = 0
Then, I1 = I3 and I2 = I4 figure
 (1)  I1P - I2R = 0;
I1P = I2R ………… (3) .
(2)  I3Q - I4S = 0;
I3Q = I4S ……….. (4)
I1P I2 R
(3)/(4)  
I3 Q I 4S
But when the bridge is balanced, I1=I3
and I2= I4
P R
 
Q S

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 Meter Bridge no current flows through the
galvanometer.
X r
54. What is the use of a meter 
R (100  )r
bridge?
X
Ans: It is used to find the resistance of 
R 100 
a given wire.
R
X= Rl X
55. Using a neat circuit diagram (100  l) 100 
explain the circuit details, principle
Procedure
of a meter bridge. And give the
The key is closed. A suitable
procedure to find an unknown
resistance (say 1Ω ) is taken from the
resistance.
resistance box. The jockey is moved
Ans:
from A towards B, until the
Circuit Diagram galvanometer shows the zero
deflection. The balancing length (AJ =
) is measured. Unknown resistance
X is determined using the equation
R
X= .
100 
X is determined for different
values of R (say 2Ω, 3Ω, -----). Now
the experiment is repeated after
interchanging X and R.
Circuit Details Resistivity
RA
Meter bridge consist of a one Resistivity  ,
L
meter long resistance wire (made of
Here, R = X, A = πr2
constantan or manganin) fixed on a
Xr 2
wooden board. A cell of emf E and a  L is the length and r is
L
key are connected between the
the radius of the given wire whose
terminals A and B. A jockey is
resistance is to be determined.
connected to the terminal ‘C’ through
a galvanometer. The unknown 56. (a) In a meter bridge the balance
resistance is connected in the left gap point is found to be at 39.5cm from
and a resistance box is connected in the
right gap.
Principle
It works on the Wheatstone’s bridge
principle. At the balancing condition
P R

Q S ,

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the end A, when the resistor Y is of V = I r , r is the resistance per
12.5𝛺. Determine the resistance of X. unit length of the wire
 V = (Ir)  V = k
Why are the connections between
 V α , where k=Ir
resistors in a meter or Wheatstone
Principle
bridge made of thick copper strips?
When a steady current (I) flows

(b) Determine the balance point of the through a wire of uniform area of
bridge if X and Y are interchanged. cross section, the potential

difference between any two

(c) What happens if the galvanometer
points of the wire is directly
and cell are interchanged at the
balancing point of the bridge? Would proportional to the length of the

the galvanometer show any current? wire between the two points.
59. Using a neat connection
diagram, explain how potentiometer
57. What are the uses of a can be used to compare the emf of
potentiometer? two cells.
Ans: Ans:
Potentiometer is used Circuit details
(i) To compare the emf of The primary circuit consists of
two cells potentiometer, cell of emf ε, key K and
a rheostat.
(ii) To find the internal
The secondary circuit consists of two
resistance of a cell cells ε1 and ε2, two-way key,
galvanometer, high resistance and
58. Explain the principle of a Jockey.
potentiometer. Connection diagram
Ans: Procedure
Consider a resistance wire of uniform
area of cross section carrying a current
I

The potential difference across

length of the wire is given by,
V = IR

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 12
 The key K in the primary circuit is
closed. The cell є1 is brought into the
circuit by putting the key. Jockey is
moved from A towards B until the
galvanometer shows zero deflection.
The balancing length AJ= is found
out. Now by the principle of
potentiometer,
ε1 ….. (1)
1
The cell ε1 is replaced by the cell ε2
by putting the key. Again balancing Procedure
length 2 is found out. The key ‘K′’ in primary circuit is
Therefore, ε2  2 …….. (2) closed. The balancing length 1 is
1 found out.
 1
(1) ÷ (2)  2 2 If one of
ε  1 ………… (1)
Now the key K in the secondary is
the cells is a standard cell ( say ε1), closed. The balancing length 2 is
we can determine the emf of the found out. Then we can write,
other V  2

R
 2  1 2  ……….. (2)
Rr
2

. 1
60. Using a neat connection 
(1) ÷ (2)  1
diagram explain how potentiometer  R  2
can be used to find the internal  R  r 

resistance of a cell. Rr

 1
Ans: R 2
circuit details
R
The primary circuit consists of a Rr  1

2
potentiometer, cell of emf є′, key K′
R
and a rheostat. The secondary circuit r 1
R
consist of a cell of emf є, a 2
R 1 R
galvanometer, Jockey, a resistance box r 2

R and key K. 2

Connection Diagram R( 1  2)
r=
2

Using this equation we can

calculate the internal resistance of the
given cell.

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 13
61. Why potentiometer is preferred (c) Cell P is replaced by another
over voltmeter for measuring emf of
cell whose emf is lower than
a cell?
Ans: If we measure emf of a cell using that of cell Q.
a voltmeter, a small current is drawn by
the voltmeter. So we will not get the 64[P]. A potentiometer wire of
actual emf of the cell. But if we length 100cm has a resistance of 10
measure the emf using a potentiometer, ohms.
while measuring emf, since null
deflection method is employed, no It is connected in series with a
current flows from the cell. So we will
resistance R and a cell of emf 2V
get the actual emf of the cell.
and of negligible internal
62[P]. In a potentiometer
resistance. The circuit is as shown
arrangement, a cell of emf 12.5V gives
below:
a balance point at 35.0cm length of
the wire. If the cell is replaced by
another cell and the balance point
shifts to 63.0cm, what is the emf of the
2nd cell?

63[P]. In the potentiometer circuit

(a) What is the resistance of 40cm
shown, the balance point is at X.
length of the potentiometer
wire?
(b) If a source of emf 10 millivolts
is balanced by length of 40 cm
of the potentiometer wire, find
State with reason, where the
the value of the external
balance point will be shifted,
resistance R.
when
(c) While performing an
(a) Resistance R is increased,
experiment on potentiometer
keeping all parameters
what precautions (at least two)
unchanged. one must observe in the
(b) Resistance S is increased,
laboratory?
keeping R constant.

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 14
65. State Joule’s law of heating. 69. Which is the commercial unit of
Ans: Joule’s Law states that “the electric energy? What is its relation
heat produced in a current with joule.
Ans: The commercial unit of electric
carrying conductor is
energy is kilo watt hour.
proportional to the square of 1kWh=1000W x 3600s =3.6 x 106J
the intensity of electric
current, the resistance of the
.
conductor and the time for
which the current flows”.
H = I2Rt
S.I. unit of heat is joule (J)

66. Define electric power.

Ans: Electric power is defined as the
electric energy consumed per second

SI unit of electric power is watt (W)

67P. A light bulb is rated at 125W for

a 250 V a.c supply. Calculate the
resistance of the bulb.

68P. Two electric bulbs one 25W and

other 100W, which one has greater
resistance?

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