Chapter 3 Current Electricity
Chapter 3 Current Electricity
PHYSICS
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CHAPTER 3: CURRENT ELECTRICITY
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CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Introduction:
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In this chapter we will study some basic laws concerning steady electric current and
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their applications.
Electric Current:
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The rate of flow of electric charge through any cross-section of a conductor is known
as electric current. If ΔQ amount of charge flows through any cross-section of
conductor in the interval t to (t + Δt), then it is defined as
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∆Q
i=
∆t
Direction of current is taken as direction of motion of positively charged particles and
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∆i
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⃗j =
∆A
The SI unit of current density is A/m2.
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Drift Speed:
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Drift Velocity is defined as the average velocity with which the free electrons move
towards the positive end of a conductor under the influence of an external electric
field applied. It is denoted by vd.
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eE
vd =
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N = (nAvd t)
So, moving charge in t second Q = (nAvdt).e
Q
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nAvd te
i=
t
d
i = neAvd
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i
We know J =
A
⃗j = nevd
Ohm’s Law:
According to this law, "At constant temperature, the potential difference V across the
Mohammad Nadeem PGT Mathematics - 6379102396 (2)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
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V∝i
V = i.R
where, R = resistance of conductor
Mobility:
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Mobility is defined as the magnitude of the drift velocity per unit electric field. It is
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denoted by μ,
vd
μ=
E
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Its SI unit is m2V-1s-1.
Resistance:
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Resistance is the ratio of potential difference applied across the ends of conductor to
the current flowing through it.
V
R=
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i
The SI unit of R is ohm (Ω).
Resistivity:
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E
d
ρ= … (1)
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If the length of conductor be 'l', cross sectional area be 'A', potential difference at the
end of conductor be 'V' and electric current be 'i', then ⃗E⃗ and ⃗j given by.
V
⃗E⃗ = … (2)
l
i
⃗j = … (3)
A
Putting the value of E and J, from equation (2) and (3) into (1), we get.
V
ρ= l
i
A
V A
ρ= .
i l
A
ρ=R
l
r
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The constant of proportionality ρ depends on the material of the conductor but not on
its dimensions. ρ is known as resistivity or specific resistance.
Conductivity:
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Conductivity is defined as the reciprocal of resistivity of a conductor. It is expressed as,
1
σ=
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ρ
SI unit is mho per meter (Ω-1 m-1).
Superconductivity:
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The resistivity of certain metal or alloy drops to zero when they are cooled below a
certain temperature is called superconductivity.
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Electrical Energy:
When electric current is moved in any electric circuit, then energy of work done by
taking a charge from one point to another point is called electric energy.
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If a charge q at potential difference V is moved from one point to another point, then
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W = V. q ….. (1)
W = Vit
W = i2Rt
V2
W= t
R
Power: Electric power is the rate of doing work by electric charge. It is measured in
watt and represented by P.
W
P= [∵ 1HP = 746 watt]
t
r
V2
Hence, P = Vi = i2R =
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R
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A carbon resistor has a set of coaxial colored rings in them, whose significance are
listed in above table. First two bands formed: First two significant figures of the
resistance in ohm. Third band; Decimal multiplier as shown in table. Last band;
Tolerance or possible variation in percentage as per the indicated value. For Gold ±
5%, for silver ± 10% and No color ± 20%.
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Combination of Resistors:
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There are two types of resistance combinations.
Series Combination:
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R = R 1 + R2 + R3
NOTE: The total resistance in the series combination is more than the greatest
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Parallel Combination:
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In Parallel combination, first end of all the resistances are connected to one point and
last end of all the resistances are connected to other point. Equivalent resistance can
be obtained by the formula.
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1 1 1 1
= + +
R R1 R 2 R 3
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NOTE: The total resistance in parallel combination is less than the least resistance of
the circuit.
Cells: An electrolytic cell consisting of two electrodes, called positive (P) and negative
(N) immersed in an electrolytic solution as shown in figure.
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Electrodes exchange charges with the electrolyte. Positive electrode P has a potential
difference V+ between itself and electrolyte solution A immediately adjacent to it.
Negative electrode N has a potential difference (V–) relative to electrolyte B adjacent
to it.
ε = V+ − V−
EMF: It is the difference of chemical potentials of electrodes used. It is also defined as
the difference of potential across the electrodes of cell, when the electrodes are in
open loop.
ε = V+ − V−
Internal Resistance: It is the opposition offered by the electrolyte of the cell to the flow of
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current through itself. It is represented by r and given by.
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v
r=
i
Kirchhoff’s Laws:
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Kirchhoff’s two rules are used for analyzing electric circuits consisting of a number of
resistors and cells interconnected in a complicated way.
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Kirchhoff’s first rule: Junction rule
At any junction, the sum of the currents entering the junction is equal to the sum of
currents leaving the junction.
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Σi=0
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The algebraic sum of changes in potential around any closed loop involving resistors
and cells in the loop is zero.
Σ iR = ΣE
Wheatstone Bridge:
It is an application of Kirchhoff’s rules. The bridge is consisting of four resistances R 1,
R2, R3 and R4 as four sides of a square ABCD as shown in figure.
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Across the diagonally opposite points between A and C, battery E is connected. This is
Currents through all resistances and galvanometer are as shown in figure. In balanced
Wheatstone bridge we consider the special case Ig = 0. Applying junction rule to
junction B and D, we have
I2 = I4 and I1 = I3
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Applying loop rule to loop ABDA
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I2R2 + 0 - I1R1 = 0
I1 R2
= ….. (i)
I2 R1
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Applying loop rule to loop BCDB
I4R4 - I3R3 + 0 = 0
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I2R4 - I1R3 = 0 (Using I4 = I2 and I3 = I1)
I1 R4
= ….. (ii)
I2 R3
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The equation (iii) relating the four resistor is called the balance condition for the
galvanometer to give zero or null deflection.
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Potentiometer:
It is a versatile instrument consisting of a long piece of uniform wire AC across which a
standard cell B is connected.
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Important Questions
Multiple Choice questions-
1. An electric heater is connected to the voltage supply. After few seconds, current
gets its steady value then its initial current will be
(a) equal to its steady current
(b) slightly higher than its steady current
(c) slightly less than its steady current
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(d) zero
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2. In the series combination of two or more than two resistances
(a) the current through each resistance is same.
(b) the voltage through each resistance is same.
(c) neither current nor voltage through each resistance is same.
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(d) both current and voltage through each resistance are same.
3. Combine three resistors 5 Q, 4.5 Q and 3 Q in such a way that the total resistance
of this combination is maximum
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(a) 12.5 Q
(b) 13.5 Q
(c) 14.5 Q
(d) 16.5 Q
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(a) change in previous direction
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(b) not change
(c) change in opposite direction
(d) none of these.
8. When a metal conductor connected to left gap of a meter bridge is heated, the
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balancing point
(a) shifts towards right
(b) shifts towards left
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(c) remains unchanged
(d) remains at zero
9. In a potentiometer of 10 wires, the balance point is obtained on the 7th wire. To
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(d) increase resistance in series with the cell whose emf is to be determined.
10. AB is a wire of potentiometer with the increase in the value of resistance R, the
shift in the balance point J will be
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(a) towards B
(b) towards A
(c) remains constant
(d) first towards B then back towards A.
Very Short:
1. A wire or resistivity ρ is stretched to double its length. What will be its new
resistivity?
2. What is the effect of temperature on the relaxation time of electrons in a metal?
3. Which physical quantity does the voltage versus current graph for a metallic
conductor depict? Give its SI unit.
4. Define drift velocity of electrons.
5. A resistance R is connected across a cell of emf ε and internal resistance r. A
potentiometer now measures the potential difference between the terminals, of
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the cell as V., Write the expression for ‘r’ in terms of ε, V and R. (CBSE Delhi 2011)
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6. How is the drift velocity in a conductor affected by the rise in temperature?
(CBSE Delhi 2019)
7. Two students A and B were asked to pick a resistor of 15 kΩ from a collection of
carbon resistors. A picked a resistor with bands of colours brown, green, orange,
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while B chose a resistor with bands of black, green, red. Who picked the correct
resistor? (CBSE AI 2013C)
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8. Define the term ‘Mobility’ of charge carriers in a conductor. Write its S.l. unit.
(CBSE Delhi 2014, AI 2015)
9. How does the mobility of electrons in a conductor change, if the potential
difference applied across the conductor is doubled, keeping the length and
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Short Questions:
1. Find the potential energy of this system. (CBSEAI, Delhi 2018)
2. The figure shows the V – l graph for a parallel and series combination of two
resistors A and B. Which line represents the parallel combination?
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4. In an experiment on a metre bridge, if the balancing length AC is ‘x’, what would
be its value, when the radius of the metre bridge wire AB is doubled? Justify your
answer. (CBSE AI 2011C)
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5. The emf of a cell is always greater than its terminal voltage. Why? Give reason.
(CBSE Delhi 2013)
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7. Define the term ‘mobility’ for a charge carrier and state its SI unit.
Name the mobile charge carriers in
(i) an electrolyte,
(ii) a semiconductor and
(iii) an ionised gas. (CBSE Al 2015)
8. Define the term current density of a metallic conductor. Deduce the relation
connecting current density (J) and the conductivity (a) of the conductor, when an
electric field E is applied to it. (CBSE AI 2015).
Long Questions:
1. Explain the term ‘drift velocity’ of electrons in a conductor. Hence obtain the
expression for the current through a conductor in terms of ‘drift velocity’. (CBSE AI
2013, 2013C)
2. Draw a plot showing the variation of resistivity of an (i) conductor and (ii)
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semiconductor, with the increase in temperature.
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How does one explain this behaviour in terms of the number density of charge
carriers and the relaxation time? (CBSE Delhi 2014C)
Assertion and Reason Questions-
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1. For two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled
Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c)
and (d) as given below.
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a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
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2. For two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled
Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c)
and (d) as given below.
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flowing.
d) Heat produced in a conductor varies inversely as the square of the
current flowing.
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(ii) If the coil of a heater is cut to half, what would happen to heat produced?
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a) Doubled.
b) Halved.
c) Remains same.
d) Becomes four times.
(iii) A 25W and 100W are joined in series and connected to the mains. Which
bulbs will glow brighter?
a) 100W.
b) 25W.
Mohammad Nadeem PGT Mathematics - 6379102396 (17)
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
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c) 20kJ
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d) 30kJ
(v) The heat emitted by a bulb of 100W in 1 min is:
a) 100J
b) 1000J
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c) 600J
d) 6000J
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2. Potentiometer is an apparatus used for measuring the emf of a cell or potential
difference between two points in an electrical circuit accurately. It is also used to
determine the internal resistance of a primary cell. The potentiometer is based on
the principle that, if V is the potential difference across any portion of the wire of
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d) 4 × 10-3Vm-1
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(iii) Sensitivity of a potentiometer can be increased by:
a) Decreasing potential gradient along the wire.
b) Increasing potential gradient along the wire.
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c) Decreasing current through the wire.
d) Increasing current through the wire.
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(iv) A potentiometer is an accurate and versatile device to make electrical
measurements of EMF because the method involves:
a) Potential gradients.
b) A condition of no current flow through the galvanometer.
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E1 and E2 are joined in series. When the two cells are connected in opposition
the balancing length is 4m. The ratio of thee. m. f. of two cells ( EE )is:
1
2
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a) 1 : 2
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b) 2 : 1
c) 1 : 3
d) 3 : 1
✓ Answer Key:
Multiple Choice Answers-
1. Answer: b
2. Answer: a
3. Answer: a
4. Answer: b
5. Answer: b
6. Answer: a
7. Answer: b
8. Answer: a
9. Answer: d
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10.Answer: a
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Very Short Answers:
1. Answer: The resistivity remains the same as it does not depend upon the length
of the wire.
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2. Answer: The relaxation time of electrons decreases with the rise in
temperature of the metal.
3. Answer: It represents resistance. It is measured in ohm.
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4. Answer: The mean velocity acquired by electrons in a conductor when an
external electric field is applied to it.
5. Answer:
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6. Answer: It decreases.
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7. Answer: A
8. Answer: Mobility of charge carriers in a conductor is defined as the magnitude
of their drift velocity per unit applied electric field. Its SI unit is m2 V-1 s-1.
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9. Answer: No change.
10.Answer: (i) DE (ii) AB
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As R1 and R2 remain the same, x will also remain the same. It does not depend
upon the diameter of the wire.
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5. Answer: When current passes through a cell, there is a drop in potential across
it due to its internal resistance. This is called the lost volt. Thus, terminal
voltage is less than the emf of the cell.
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6. Answer: The graph is as shown.
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7. Answer: Mobility is defined as the ratio of the drift velocity of the charge to the
applied electric field.
(i) Anions and cations.
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1. Answer:
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Drift velocity (Vd) is defined as the average velocity with which the free
electrons get drifted inside a conductor under the effect of the electric field,
opposite to the direction of the field.
Let n be the electrons per unit volume in the conductor. Here n is called the
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number density of electrons. Assume that all electrons move with the same
drift velocity Vd. In a time, interval dt, each electron moves a distance vdt. Now
the volume of the cylinder covered by the electrons in time dt is
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V = A vddt …(1)
and the number of electrons in this volume is
N = nV = nA vddt …(2)
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If e is the charge on the electron, then charge flowing through the conductor in
small time dt is
dQ = e(nA vddt) …(3)
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With a rise in temperature the average relaxation time for a conductor
decreases and resistivity increases, while for a semiconductor the number
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density of charge carriers increases, hence the resistivity decreases.
Assertion and Reason Answers-
1. (c) A is true, but R is false.
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Explanation:
The current in a wire is due to flow of free electrons in a definite direction. But the
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number of protons in the wire at any instant is equal to number of electrons and
charge on electrons is equal and opposite to that of proton. Hence, net charge on the
wire is zero.
2. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
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Explanation:
As filament of bulb and live wire are in series, hence current through both is same.
i2 Rt
Now, because H = and resistance of the filament of the bulb is much higher
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than that of live wires, hence heat produced in the filament is much higher than that
in line wires.
Case Study Answers-
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1. Answer :
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(i) (c) Heat produced in a conductor varies directly as the square of the current
flowing.
Explanation:
According to Joule's law of heating, Heat produced in a conductor, H =
I2 Rt where, I = Current flowing through the conductor R = Resistance of the
conductor t = Time for which current flows through the conductor.
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Explanation:
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The bulbs are joined in series. Current in both the bulbs will same.
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∴∴ The heat produced in them is given by H= I2Rt
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Therefore the bulb with low wattage or high resistance will glow brighter or we
can say the 25W bulb will glow brighter than the 100W bulb.
(iv) (d) 30kJ
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Explanation:
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Potential gradient,
= 10-3Vm-1
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(iii) (a) Decreasing potential gradient along the wire.
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(iv) (b) A condition of no current flow through the galvanometer.
Explanation:
A potentiometer is an accurate and versatile device to make electrical
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measurements of EMF because the method involves a condition of no current
flow through the galvanometer. It can be used to measure potential difference,
internal resistance of a cell and compare EMF's of two sources.
(v) (d) 3 : 1
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Explanation:
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