NCERT Solutions for Class 12

Physics
Chapter 3 - Current Electricity

1. The storage battery of a car has an emf of 12 V. If the internal resistance

of the battery is 0.4 , what is the maximum current that can be drawn
from the battery?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Emf of the battery, E= 12V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 0.4
Consider the maximum current drawn from the battery to be I .
Therefore, using Ohm’s law,
E = Ir
E
I=
r
12
I=
0.4
 I = 30A
Clearly, the maximum current drawn from the given battery is 30A .

2. A battery of emf 10V and internal resistance 3 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?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Emf of the battery, E = 10 V
Internal resistance of the battery, r = 3
Current in the circuit, I = 0.5A
Consider the resistance of the resistor to be R .
Therefore, using Ohm’s law,
E
I=
R+r
E
R+r=
I
10
R+r=
0.5
 R + r = 20

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 1

 R = 20 − 3 = 17
Let the terminal voltage of the resistor be V .
Using the Ohm’s law,
V = IR
 V = 0.5 17 = 8.5V
Thus, the resistance of the resistor is 17 and the terminal voltage is 8.5V .

3. a) Three resistors 1 , 2 and 3 are combined in series. What is the

total resistance of the combination?
Ans: In the above question it is given that three resistors of resistances 1 , 2
and 3 are combined in series.
The total resistance of a series combination of resistors is the algebraic sum of
individual resistances.
Hence the total resistance is given by:
Total Resistance = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6

b) If the combination is connected to a battery of emf 12V and negligible

internal resistance, obtain the potential drop across each resistor.
Ans: Consider the current flowing through the circuit to be I .
Emf of the battery, E = 12V
Total resistance of the circuit, R = 6
The relation for current using Ohm’s law is given by:
E
I=
R
12
 I = = 2A
6
Consider potential drop across 1 resistor to be V1 .
Using Ohm’s law, the value of V1 can be obtained as:
V1 = 2  1 = 2V …… (1)
Consider potential drop across 2 resistor to be V2 .
Again, using Ohm’s law, the value of V2 can be obtained as:
V2 = 2  2 = 4V …… (2)
Consider potential drop across 3 resistor to be V3 .
V3 = 2  3 = 6V ...... (3)
Clearly, the potential drops across 1 , 2 and 3 resistors are 2V , 4V and
6V respectively.
Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 2
4. a) Three resistors 2 , 4 and 5 are combined in parallel. What is the
total resistance of the combination?
Ans: In the above question it is given that there are three resistors of resistances
2 , 4 and 5 connected in parallel as shown below:

Let
R1 = 2;R 2 = 4;R 3 = 5
Now, using the rule for parallel combination of resistors, total resistance R of
the combination will be:
1 1 1 1
= + +
R R1 R 2 R 3
1 1 1 1 19
 = + + =
R 2 4 5 20
20
R= 
19
20
Clearly, total resistance of the given parallel combination is .
19

b)If the combination is connected to a battery of emf 20V and negligible

internal resistance, determine the current through each resistor, and the
total current drawn from the battery.
Ans: In the above question, it is given that the parallel combination mentioned
in (a) is connected to a battery and negligible internal resistance as shown:

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It is known that R1 = 2;R 2 = 4;R 3 = 5 .
Also given that,
Emf of the battery, V = 20V
Ohm’s law can be used to determine the individual current flowing through each
resistor and hence, the total current in the circuit.
If current I1 is flowing through resistor R1 , it is given by:
V
I1 =
R1
20
 I1 = = 10A
2
If current I 2 is flowing through resistor R 2 , it is given by:
V
I2 =
R2
20
 I2 = = 5A
4
If current I 3 is flowing through resistor R 3 , it is given by:
V
I3 =
R3
20
 I3 = = 4A
5
Now, the total current will be:
I = I1 + I 2 + I3
 I = 10 + 5 + 4 = 19A
Clearly, the current through resistors 2 , 4 and 5 are 10A , 5A and 4A
respectively while the total current in the circuit is 19A .

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5. At room temperature 27.0 C , the resistance of a heating element is 100
What is the temperature of the element if the resistance is found to be 117
given that the temperature coefficient of the material of the resistor is
1.70  10−4 C−1 ?
Ans: In the above question it is given that at room temperature (T = 27.0 C) , the
resistance of the heating element is 100 (say R).
Also, the heating element’s temperature coefficient is given to be
 = 1.70 10−4C−1 .
Now, it is said that the resistance of the heating element at an increased
temperature (say T1 ) is 117 (say R1 ). To compute this unknown increased
temperature T1 , the formula for temperature coefficient of a material can be used.
It is known that temperature co-efficient of a material provides information on
the nature of that material with respect to its change in resistance with
temperature. Mathematically,
R1 − R
=
R ( T1 − T )

R1 − R
 T1 − T =
R
Substituting the given values,
117 − 100
 T1 − 27 =
100  1.70  10−4
 T1 − 27 = 1000

 T1 = 1027 C

Clearly, it is at 1027 C when the resistance of the element is 117 .

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 . What is the resistivity of the material at the temperature of the
experiment?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Length of the wire, l = 15m
Area of cross-section of the wire, a = 6.0 10−7 m2
Resistance of the material of the wire, R = 5.0
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Let resistivity of the material of the wire be 
It is known that, resistance is related with the resistivity as:
l
R =
A
RA
=
l
5  6.0  10−7
=
15
  = 2  10−7 m 2
Therefore, the resistivity of the material is 2  10−7 m 2 .

7. A silver wire has a resistance of 2.1 at 27.5 C , and a resistance of 2.7

at 100 C . Determine the temperature coefficient of resistivity of silver.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Temperature, T1 = 27.5 C .
Resistance of the silver wire at T1 is R1 = 2.1 .
Temperature, T2 = 100 C .
Resistance of the silver wire at T2 is R 2 = 2.7 .
Let the temperature coefficient of silver be  . It is known that temperature co-
efficient of a material provides information on the nature of that material with
respect to its change in resistance with temperature. Mathematically, it is related
with temperature and resistance by the formula:
R 2 − R1
=
R1 ( T2 − T1 )
2.7 − 2.1
= = 0.0039 C−1
2.1(100 − 27.5)
Clearly, the temperature coefficient of silver is 0.0039 C −1 .

8. A heating element using nichrome connected to a 230 V supply draws an

initial current of 3.2A which settles after a few seconds to a steady value of
2.8 A. What is the steady temperature of the heating element if the room
temperature is 27 C ? Temperature coefficient of resistance of nichrome
averaged over the temperature range involved is 1.70  10−4 C−1 .
Ans: In the above question it is given that:

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Supply voltage is V = 230V
Initial current drawn is I1 = 3.2A .
Let the initial resistance be R1 .
Therefore, using Ohm’s law,
V
R1 =
I1
230
 R1 = = 71.87
3.2
Steady state value of the current is I 2 = 2.8A .
Let the resistance of the steady state be R 2 .
Therefore, using Ohm’s law.
V
R2 =
I2
230
 R2 = = 82.14
2.8
Temperature co-efficient of nichrome is  = 1.70 10−4 C−1 .
Initial temperature of nichrome is T1 = 27 C .
Let steady state temperature reached by nichrome be T2 .
Now, it is known that temperature co-efficient of a material provides information
on the nature of that material with respect to its change in resistance with
temperature. Mathematically, it is given by
R 2 − R1
=
R1 ( T2 − T1 )
R 2 − R1
 ( T2 − T1 ) =
R1
Substituting the given values,
82.14 − 71.87
 ( T2 − 27 ) =
71.87  1.70  10−4
 T2 − 27 = 840.5
 T2 = 867.5 C
Clearly, the steady temperature of the heating element is 867.5 C .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 7

9. Determine the current in each branch of the network shown in figure:

Ans: Current flowing through various branches of the circuit is represented in

the given figure.

Consider
I1 = Current flowing through the outer circuit
I 2 = Current flowing through branch AB
I3 = Current flowing through branch AD
I 2 − I 4 = Current flowing through branch BC
I3 + I 4 = Current flowing through branch CD
I 4 = Current flowing through branch BD
For the closed circuit ABDA, potential is zero i.e.,
10I 2 + 5I 4 − 5I3 = 0
2I 2 + I 4 − I3 = 0
I3 = 2I 2 + I 4 …… (1)
For the closed circuit BCDB, potential is zero i.e.,
5 ( I 2 − I 4 ) − 10 ( I3 + I 4 ) − 5I 4 = 0

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5I 2 + 5I 4 − 10I3 − 10I 4 − 5I 4 = 0
5I 2 − 10I3 − 20I 4 = 0
I 2 = 2I3 + 4I 4 …… (2)
For the closed circuit ABCFEA, potential is zero i.e.,
−10 + 10 ( I1 ) + 10 ( I 2 ) + 5 ( I 2 − I 4 ) = 0
10 = 15I 2 + 10I1 − 5I 4
3I3 + 2I1 − I 4 = 2 …… (3)
From equations (1) and (2), we obtain
I3 = 2 ( 2I3 + 4I 4 ) + I 4
I3 = 4I3 + 8I 4 + I 4
−3I3 = 9I 4
−3I 4 = + I3 …… (4)
Putting equation (4) in equation (1), we obtain
I3 = 2I 2 + I 4
−4I 4 = 2I 2 …… (5)
It is evident from the given figure that,
I1 = I3 + I 2 ……. (6)
Putting equation (6) in equation (1), we obtain
3I 2 + 2 ( I3 + I 2 ) − I 4 = 2
5I 2 + 2I3 − I 4 = 2 …… (7)
Putting equations (4) and (5) in equation (7), we obtain
5 ( −2I 4 ) + 2 ( −3I 4 ) − I 4 = 2
−10I 4 − 6I 4 − I 4 = 2
17I 4 = −2
2
I4 = − A
17
Equation (4) reduces to
I3 = −3 ( I 4 )
 2 6
I3 = −3 −  = A
 17  17
I 2 = −2 ( I 4 )
 2 4
I2 = −2  −  = A
 17  17
Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 9
 4  2 6
I2 − I4 = −−  =
17  17  17
6  −2  4
I3 + I 4 = +   = A
17  17  17
I1 = I3 + I 2
6 4 10
 I1 = + = A
17 17 17
4
Therefore, current in branch AB = A
17
6
Current in branch BC = A
17
−4
Current in branch CD = A
17
6
Current in branch AD = A
17
 −2 
Current in branch BD =   A
 17 
4 6 −4 6 −2 10
Total current = + + + + = A.
17 17 17 17 17 17

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 . Determine the
resistance of X. Why are the connections between resistors in a Wheatstone
or meter bridge made of thick copper strips?
Ans: A metre bridge with resistors X and Y is represented in the given figure.

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A meter bridge works with the same principle as that of a Wheatstone bridge,
which is an electrical circuit used to measure unknown resistances. It forms a
bridge circuit, wherein the two legs of the circuit are balanced, out of which, one
leg has the unknown resistance. Here, the concept of balance point is used, when
there is no deflection in the galvanometer (no current flow condition).
In the above question it is given that:
Balance point from end A is at distance, l1 = 39.5cm
Resistance of the resistor Y = 12.5 .
Condition for the balance with respect to the given meter bridge is given by
X 100 − l1
=
Y l1
100 − 39.5
X=  12.5 = 8.2
39.5
Thus, the resistance of resistor X is 8.2 .
The connection between resistors in a Wheatstone or metre bridge is made of
thick copper strips which helps to minimize the resistance. Hence it is not taken
into consideration in the bridge formula.

b)Determine the balance point of the bridge above if X and Y are

interchanged.
Ans: When X and Y are interchanged, then l1 and 100 − l1 also get
interchanged.
Thus, the balance point of the bridge would be 100 − l1 from A .
100 − l1 = 100 − 39.5 = 60.5cm
Clearly, the balance point is 60.5cm from A .

C)What happens if the galvanometer and cell are interchanged at the

balance point of the bridge? Would the galvanometer show any current?
Ans: When the galvanometer and cell are swapped at the balance point of the
bridge, the galvanometer would show zero deflection. As there is null deflection,
zero current would flow through the galvanometer.

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11. A storage battery of emf 8.0 V and internal resistance 0.5 is being
charged by a 120 V DC supply using a series resistor of 15.5 . What is the
terminal voltage of the battery during charging? What is the purpose of
having a series resistor in the charging circuit?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Emf of the storage battery is E = 0.8V .
Internal resistance of the battery is r = 0.5 .
DC supply voltage is V = 120V
Resistance of the resistor is R = 15.5 .
Consider effective voltage in the circuit to be V' , which would be the difference
in the supply voltage and the emf of the battery.
V' = V − E
 V' = 120 − 8 = 112V
Now, current flowing in the circuit is I and the resistance R is connected in
series to the storage battery.
Therefore, using Ohm’s law,
V'
I=
R+r
112
I= = 7A
15.5 + 0.5
Thus, voltage across resistor R would be:
IR = 7 15.5 = 108.5V
DC supply voltage = Terminal voltage of battery + Voltage drop across R
Terminal voltage of battery = 120 − 108.5 = 11.5V
A series resistor in a charging circuit takes the responsibility for controlling the
current drawn from the external source. Excluding this series resistor is
dangerous as the current flow would be extremely high if so.

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?
Ans: A potentiometer arrangement facilitates adjustable voltage dividing. It can
be used to compare the emf’s of two different cells with the help of balance
points in each case.Balance point or null point is the point when the
galvanometer in the circuit shows no deflection. i.e., when there is no current
flowing in the circuit.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 12

In the above question it is given that when the cell has an emf E1 = 1.25V , the
balance point of the potentiometer is given to be at a distance, l1 = 35cm .
Now, when the cell is replaced by another cell of emf E 2 , the balance point of
the potentiometer is given to be at a distance l2 = 63cm .
The balance condition to compare the emf’s of two cells using a potentiometer
setup is given by the relation,
E1 l1
=
E 2 l2
l
 E 2 = E1  1
l2
63
 E 2 = 1.25  = 2.25V
35
Clearly, the emf of the second cell is 2.25V .

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.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Number density of free electrons in a copper conductor is n = 8.5 1028 m−3 .
Length of the copper wire is l = 3.0m .
Area of cross-section of the wire is A = 2.0 10−6 m2 .
Current carried by the wire is I = 3.0A .
Now we know that:
I = nAeVd
Where,
e is the electric charge of magnitude 1.6 10−19 C .
Vd is the drift velocity and
Length of the wire ( l )
Drift velocity =
Time taken to cover ( t )
l
I = nAe
t
nAel
t=
I

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 13

 3  8.5  1028  2  10−6  1.6  10−19
t=
3.0
 t = 2.7  10 s .
4

Hence the time taken by an electron to drift from one end of the wire to the other
is 2.7  104 s .

14. The earth’s surface has a negative surface charge density of 10−9 Cm−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 neutralize 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  106 m .)
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Surface charge density of the earth is  = 10−9 Cm−2 .
Current over the entire globe is I = 1800A .
Radius of the earth is r = 6.37 106 m .
Surface area of the earth is given by:
A = 4r 2
 A = 4  ( 6.37  106 )
2

 A = 5.09 1014 m2
Charge on the earth surface is given by:
q = A
 q = 10−9  5.09  1014
 q = 5.09  105 C
Now, when the time taken to neutralize the surface of the earth is taken to be t ,
then,
q
Current, I =
t
q
t=
I
5.09  105
t= = 282.77s
1800
Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 14
Clearly, the time taken to neutralize the surface of the earth is 282.77s .

15. a) Six lead-acid type of secondary cells each of emf 2.0V and internal
resistance 0.015 are joined in series to provide a supply to a resistance of
8.5 . What is the current drawn from the supply and its terminal voltage?
Ans: In the above question, it is given that six lead-acid type of secondary cells
are joined in series as shown below:

Here, number of secondary cells are n = 6 .

Emf of each secondary cell is E = 2.0V .
Internal resistance of each cell is r = 0.015 .
Series resistor is connected to the combination of cells.
Resistance of the resistor R is 8.5 .
If the current drawn from the supply is I , then
nE
I=
R + nr
6 2
I=
8.5 + 6  0.015
 I = 1.39A
Now the terminal voltage would be
V = IR = 1.39  8.5 = 11.87V
Clearly, the current drawn from the supply is 1.39A and the terminal voltage is
11.87V .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 15

b)A secondary cell after long use has an emf of 1.9 V and a large internal
resistance of 380 . What maximum current can be drawn from the cell?
Could the cell drive the starting motor of a car?
Ans: It is given that after using a secondary cell for long, emf of the secondary
cell is E = 1.9V .
Also, internal resistance of the cell is r = 380 .
E
Here, using Ohm’s law, the maximum current =
r
E 1.9
 = = 0.005A .
r 380
Clearly, the maximum current used from the cell is 0.005A . To start the motor
of a car, a large amount of current is required. Thus, this cell which produces
just 0.005A cannot be used for this purpose.

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.
 Al = 2.63  108 m;Cu = 1.72  10−8 m;
Relative density of Al = 2.7;Relative density of Cu = 8.9
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Resistivity of aluminium is Al = 2.63  108 m .
Relative density of aluminium is d1 = 2.7 .
Consider l1 to be the length of aluminium wire, m1 as its mass, resistance of the
copper wire as R 2 , and area of cross-section of the copper wire as A 2 .
Therefore, using the relation between resistance and resistivity,
l
R1 = 1 1 …… (1)
A1
And
l
R 2 = 2 2 …… (2)
A2
However, we have R 1 = R 2
l l
 1 1 = 2 2
A1 A2

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 16

Also, we have l1 = l2 .
 
 1 = 2
A1 A 2
A 
 1= 1
A 2 2
A1 2.63  108 2.63
 = =
A 2 1.72  10−8 1.72
Now, mass of the aluminium wire is given by:
m1 = Volume  Density
 m1 = A1l1  d1 = A1l1d1 …… (3)
Similarly mass of the copper wire is given by:
m 2 = Volume  Density
 m 2 = A 2l 2  d 2 = A 2l 2d 2 …… (4)
Dividing equation (3) by equation (4), we get:
m1 A1l1d1
=
m 2 A 2l 2d 2
As l1 = l2 ,
m1 A1d1
=
m 2 A 2d 2
A 2.63
As 1 =
A 2 1.72
m1 2.63 2.7
=  = 0.46
m 2 1.72 8.9
It indicated that m1  m 2 .
Clearly, aluminium is lighter than copper.
Since aluminium is lighter, it is prioritized for overhead power cables instead of
copper.

17. What conclusion can you draw from the following observations on a
resistor made of alloy manganin?
Current (A) Voltage (V) Current (A) Voltage (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
Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 17
 0.8 15.7 6.0 118.5
1.0 19.7 7.0 138.2
2.0 39.4 8.0 158.0

Ans: From the given the table,

Ratio of voltage with current is a constant equal to 19.7.
Also, manganin is an ohmic conductor, which follows Ohm’s law.
Ohm’s law states that the ratio of voltage with current can be equated to the
resistance of the conductor.
Clearly, the resistance of manganin is 19.7 .

18. Answer the following questions:

a) A steady current flow 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?
Ans: In the above question it is given that a steady current flows in a metallic
conductor of non-uniform cross-section. Clearly, the current which flows
through the conductor must be constant.However, current density, electric field,
and drift speed are known to be inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area
of the conductor. Thus, these quantities cannot be constant.
b) Is ohm’s law universally applicable for all conducting elements? If
not, give examples of elements which do not obey Ohm’s law.
Ans: All conducting elements need not satisfy Ohm’s law. For instance, a
vacuum diode semiconductor is a conductor which does not follow Ohm’s law.
Here, voltage is not proportional to either the current or the resistance.

c) A low voltage supply from which one needs high currents must have
very low internal resistance. Why?
Ans: From Ohm’s law, it is known that V = IR .
It states that Voltage ( V ) is directly proportional to current ( I ) .
Clearly,
V
I=
R
where, R is the internal resistance of the source.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 18

Now, when V is less, then R must be very less for a high current used from the
source.

d) A high tension (HT) supply of, say, 6kV must have a very large
internal resistance. Why?
Ans: A high tension supply of a very large internal resistance is needed in order
to control the current from exceeding the safety limit. When the internal
resistance is very less, then the current used exceeds the safety limits in case of
short circuits.

19. Choose the correct alternative:

a) Alloys of metals usually have (greater/less) resistivity than that of
their constituent metals.
Ans: Metal alloys generally have greater resistivity than that of their constituent
metals.

b) Alloys usually have much (lower/higher) temperature coefficients of

resistance than pure metals.
Ans: Metal alloys generally have lower temperature coefficients of resistance
than pure metals.

c) The resistivity of the alloy manganin is (nearly independent

of/increases rapidly) with increase of temperature.
Ans: When temperature is increased, the resistivity of manganin gets no much
effect. Thus, it’s resistivity can be considered nearly independent with increase
in temperature.

d) The resistivity of a typical insulator like amber) is greater than that

of a metal by a factor of the order of ( 1022 / 103 ) .
Ans: A typical insulator’s resistivity is greater than that of a metal by a factor of
the order of 1022 .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 19

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?
Ans: In the above question, it is provided that total number of resistors are n
where resistance of each resistor is R .
i.When n resistors are connected in series, the effective resistance would be
maximum and is considered as the product nR . Mathematically, maximum
resistance of the series combination is represented as R1 = nR .
ii.The effective resistance would be minimum when resistors are connected
parallelly. Mathematically, maximum resistance of the parallel combination is
R
represented R 2 = .
n
iii.The ratio of the maximum to the minimum resistance would be
R1 nR
= = n2
R2 R / n

b)Given the resistances of 1,2,3 , how will you combine them to get an
equivalent resistance of (i) ( 11 / 3 )  (ii) ( 11 / 5 )  (iii) 6 (iv) ( 6 / 11)  ?
Ans: In the above question it is provided that:
R1 = 1,R 2 = 2,R 3 = 3
i.For an equivalent resistance of (11 / 5 )  :
Consider the circuit diagram given below.

Equivalent resistance for this circuit would be:

2 1 2 11
R'= +3= +3= 
2 +1 3 3

ii.For an equivalent resistance of (11 / 3)  :

Consider the circuit diagram given below.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 20

Equivalent resistance for this circuit would be:
23 6 11
R'= +1 = +1= 
2+3 5 5

iii.For an equivalent resistance of 6 :

Consider the circuit diagram given below.

Equivalent resistance for this circuit would be:

R ' = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6

iv.For an equivalent resistance of ( 6 / 11)  :

Consider the circuit diagram given below.

Equivalent resistance for the circuit would be:

1 2  3 6
R'= = 
1  2 + 2  3 + 3  1 11

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 21

c)Calculate the equivalent resistance of the following circuit:

Ans: Consider the primary small loop on the left. Two resistors of resistance
1 each are connected in series in the upper arm of the loop.
Clearly, their series equivalent resistance = 1 + 1 = 2 .
Also, two resistors of resistance 2 each are connected in series in the lower
arm of the loop.
Clearly, their series equivalent resistance = 2 + 2 = 4 .
Now, the circuit can be rearranged to

Here 2 and 4 resistors are connected in parallel in all the newly formed four
loops.
Clearly, their parallel equivalent resistance R ' is given by,
2 4 8 4
R'= = = 
2+4 6 3
The circuit further gets rearranged to:

Now, four resistors are connected in series.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 22

Clearly, their series equivalent resistance (or the equivalent resistance of the
4 16
whole circuit) would be  4 =  .
3 3

d)Calculate the equivalent resistance of the following circuit:

Ans: From the given circuit, it is clear that five resistors of resistance R are
connected in series.
Thus, their series equivalent resistance (or the equivalent resistance of the whole
circuit) = R + R + R + R + R = 5R .

21. Determine the current drawn from a 12V supply with internal resistance
0.5 by the infinite network shown in Figure. Each resistor has 1
resistance.

Ans: In the above question, it is provided that the resistance of each resistor
connected in the given circuit is R = 1 .
Consider the equivalent resistance of the given circuit to be R ' .
Because the network is infinite, the equivalent resistance is given by the relation,

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 23

 R'
R'= 2+
( R '+ 1)
 ( R ') − 2R '− 2 = 0
2

2  12
 R'= =1 3
2
As only positive value is acceptable,
 R ' =1+ 3
Internal resistance of the circuit is r = 0.5 .
Also, total resistance = 2.73 + 0.5 = 3.23 .
Now, with respect to Ohm’s law,
V 12
I= = = 3.72A .
R 3.23
Clearly, the current drawn is 3.72A .

22. Figure shows a potentiometer with a cell of 2.0 V and internal resistance
0.40 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 600k 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
 and the balance point found similarly, turns out to be at 82.3 cm length of
the wire.

(a) What is the value of  ?

Ans: A potentiometer can be used to compare the emf’s of two cells with the
help of balance points, at which there is no current flow in the circuit.
In the above question it is provided that constant emf of the given standard cell
is E1 = 1.02V .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 24

The balance point on the wire (when galvanometer shows null deflection) is at a
distance l1 = 67.3cm .
Now, when the cell of unknown emf  gets replaced with the standard cell, the
new balance point shifts to l = 82.3cm .
The relationship between emf and balance point in this potentiometer
arrangement is given by
E1 
=
l1 l
l 82.3
=  E1 =  1.02 = 1.247V
l1 67.3
Clearly, the value of unknown emf is 1.247V .

(b) What purpose does the high resistance of 600k have?

Ans: A high resistance of 600k is used in order to lessen the current through
the galvanometer when the movable contact is distant away from the balance
point.

(c) Is the balance point affected by this high resistance?

Ans: No, the balance point would not get affected by the presence of a high
resistance.

(d) Is the balance point affected by the internal resistance of the driver
cell?
Ans: No, the balance point would not get 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?
Ans: When the driver cell of the potentiometer had an emf of 1.0V in place of
2.0V , the given method ceases to work because when the emf of the driver cell
of the potentiometer is less than the emf of the other cell, then the balance point
refuses to exist on the wire.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 25

(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 thermos-couple)?
If not, how will you modify the circuit?
Ans: To determine an extremely small emf, this arrangement cannot be used.
Because of the instability in the circuit, the balance point would be near to end
A.Thus, there would be large percentage errors in measurements.
However, the given arrangement can be modified by connecting a series
resistance with the wire AB.When done so, the potential drop across AB would
be slightly greater than the measured emf. This facilitates the percentage error to
become less.

23. Figure 3.34 shows a potentiometer circuit for comparison of two

resistances. The balance point with a standard resistor R = 10.0 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  ?

Ans: In the potentiometer setup, it is provided that:

Resistance of the standard resistor is R = 10.0 .
Balance point for this resistance is at a distance l1 = 58.3cm .
Current in the potentiometer wire is i .
Hence, potential drop across R is E1 = iR .
Resistance of the unknown resistor is X .
Balance point for this resistance is at a distance l2 = 68.5cm .
Hence, potential drop across X is E 2 = iX .
The relation connecting emf and balance point in a potentiometer bridge circuit
is given by
E1 l1
=
E 2 l2

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 26

Relating this with our problem,
iR l1
 =
iX l2
l 68.5
 X = 1 R =  10 = 11.749 .
l2 58.3
Clearly, the value of the unknown resistance X is 11.749 .
Now, if we couldn’t find a balance point with the given cell of emf  , then the
potential drop across R and X is lessened by putting a resistance in series with
it. A balance point can be noted only when the potential drop across R or X is
smaller than the potential drop across the potentiometer wire AB.

24. Figure shows a 2.0V potentiometer used for the determination of

internal resistance of 1.5 V cell. The balance point of the cell in open circuit
is 76.3 cm. When a resistor of 9.5 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.

Ans: In the potentiometer setup, it is provided that:

Balance point of the cell in open circuit is l1 = 76.3cm .
An external resistance R of resistance 9.5 is connected to the circuit.
New balance point of the circuit is at a distance l2 = 64.8cm .
Current flowing through the circuit = I .
In this potentiometer arrangement, the relationship connecting internal
resistance of the cell and the two balance points of the bridge setup is:
l −l 
r =  1 2 R
 l2 

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 27

  76.3 − 64.8 
r =  9.5 = 1.68
 64.8 
Clearly, the internal resistance of the cell is 1.68 .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 28