Electric Current: Rate of flow of electric charge

Average Current

Instantaneous Current

Direction of electric current is along

the direction of flow of positive charge
Q1)
Q2) If q = t2 + 2t Find i) Current i at t=2s
ii) Average current from 0-2s
Q3) In a hydrogen atom, the electron makes about 0.6 x 1016
revolutions per second around the nucleus. Determine the
average current at any point on the orbit of the electron.

a) 0.36 mA
b) 0.96 mA
c) 0.60 mA
d) 0.24 mA
Drift Velocity
1. Metals have a large number of free electrons
(1028 free e- per m3 → free electron density)

2. In the absence of any Electric Field , the free electrons

move ‘Randomly’ due to their thermal energies.

3. The average thermal velocity of all e- is

ZERO since different e- move in different
direction.

4. Thus, there is no NET motion of e- in any particular

direction in absence of an Electric Field
5. On applying external Electric Field (by Connecting a
battery), each electron experiences electric force in
direction opposite to applied field.

6. The acceleration of electron is given by

7. As the electron accelerates, they frequently collide with the
positive metal ions or other electrons and stops momentarily on
each

8. The acceleration occurs only for a

short interval of time between two
collisions and provides a small velocity
to e- in a direction opposite to 𝐄 filed.

This velocity is called drift velocity ( 𝐕𝐝)

( 𝐕𝐝)≈ 𝟏𝟎-4 m/s
Expression for Drift velocity
Energy gained by electron between two collisions
Q4)
Q5)
Electron Mobility
Electrical Mobility is the ability of a charged particle to move
through a medium in response to an Electric Field, that is pulling
them.
Q6)

NEET 2020
Relationship of ( 𝑽𝒅) with current (I)
Current Density ( 𝑱Ԧ)

Current density at a point is defined as the

amount of current flowing per unit Area
around that point, provided the area is
NORMAL to the direction of current.
Q7) Under Steady State , which is correct

a) JA > JB
b) JA < JB
c) JA =JB
d) Data insufficient
 Electrical Resistance
The Resistance of a conductor is defined as the Ratio of
Potential Difference across the ends of conductor to the
current flowing through the conductor.

Unit of Resistance:
Electrical Resistance is Slope of V vs I Curve
Q8)
Electrical Resistance in terms of charge density & Relaxation time
Resistivity Or Specific Resistance
For example-Resistivity of Copper at 20 oC is
-8
1.68 x10 𝛀m
Q9)
Q10)
Q11) A wire of resistance R is stretched to double its
Length.Find the new Resistance

a) R
b) R/2
c) 2R
d) 4R
Shortcut For Stretching and Compressing
Length
Q12)
Q13)
Q14)
Q15) If a Wire is stretched to increase its length by 1%. Find
the change in the resistance

a) 1%
b) 2%
c) 0.5%
d) 1.5%
Effect of Temperature on
Resistivity & Resistance
Effect of Temperature on ‘n’ (free e- density)
′
& ‘𝝉 (Average Relaxation time)
➢ On increasing Temperature ➢ On increasing Temperature

➢Thermal speed of free e- increases

➢More ionisation of e-
➢ Free e- collides more frequently
➢ No. of free e- increases ➢ time between two collisions decreases

➢ n increases ➢ 𝝉 decreases
1. For Metallic Conductors/ Conductors
➢ For metals, the number of free e- per unit volume (n) is very large,
about 1028- 1029 per m3 at room temperature
➢On increasing temperature, the increase in n is not significant
➢So, on increasing temperature
 2. For Semi-Conductors and Insulators
➢ For Semi Conductors like Si and Ge (sometimes Carbon) and
insulators, the relaxation time 𝝉 does not vary much with
Temperature.
➢On Increasing Temperature
Temp ↑ 𝒏↑ 𝑹↓ 𝝆 ↓
3. For Alloys like nichrome, manganin and
constantan

𝒏↑ 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝝉↓
Q16)
NEET 2020
Q17)
Q18)
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance
(or Resistivity)
Q19) A copper coil has a resistance of 20.0 Ω at 0oC and a resistance of 26.4 Ω at
80oC . Find the temperature coefficient of resistance of copper.

a) 2 x 10-3 oC-1
b) 4 x 10-3 oC-1
c) 6x 10-3 oC-1
d) 8 x 10-3 oC-1
Values of ‘ 𝜶’ for Conductors,
SemiConductor (& Insulators) and Alloys
❖ 𝜶𝑪𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓 = +𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎-3 oC-1

❖ 𝜶𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒐𝒏 = −𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎-2 oC-1

❖ 𝜶𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 = −𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎-4 oC-1

❖ 𝜶𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎-6 oC-1

Colour Coding Of Resistors
Q20) What is the resistance of following resistors
Q21)
 OHM’S LAW
Statement: “ The electric current in any conductor is
directly proportional to the potential difference across
the ends of the conductor provide temperature,
pressure and all other physical conditions remain
constant.”
𝒊 ∝ ∆𝑽

Provided temperature, pressure etc

remains constant
We can also write:
Ohm’s Law in Vector Form
 OHMIC CONDUCTORS
➢ Obeys Ohm’s Law ∆𝑽 ∝ i

➢The Graph for ∆𝑽 v/s i is a straight line passing

through origin as shown.

➢Resistance ( R ) is independent of Current (i)

➢Practical examples are :- Metallic Conductors (like

Copper ,Silver) for small current ; Electrolyte- Copper
sulphate solution with copper Electrodes
 NON-OHMIC CONDUCTORS
➢ Do not Obey Ohm’s Law.
➢Their ∆𝑽 v/s I graph can be of various
types
➢Resistance R is not constant and
depends on current i.
Metallic Conductor at high Currents

Discharge Tube / Vacuum Tube Water Voltameter P-n Junction Dioade

Q22)
Combination of Resistors
Series Combination of Resistances
Q23) Find : (i) Re (ii) ′𝒊′ from the Cell.
(iii) ‘𝒊’ in each resistor (iv) ‘V ‘ in each resistor.
Parallel Combination of Resistances
Special Cases:
1. For two Resistances R1 and R2 in parallel

2. If ‘n’ resistors of equal resistances ‘R’ are connected in parallel.

Q24) Find : (i) Re (ii) ′𝒊′ from the Cell.
(iii) ‘𝒊’ in each resistance (iv)Potential drop across each resistance
Current divider in parallel combination
Q25)
Q26)
Q27)
Q28)
Q29)
Q30) Calculate equivalent resistance between points A and B

a) 2 Ω
b) 4/3 Ω
c) 3/4 Ω
d) 5/3 Ω
Q31)
Q32)
Q 4)Calculate equivalent resistance between points A and B
a) 5 R
b) 2 R
c) R
d) R/2
Q33) Calculate equivalent resistance between points A and B
Q 5)
a) r
b) 3r/4
c) 2r/3
d) 4r/3
Wheatstone Bridge

G
Q34)
Q35) Calculate equivalent resistance between points A and B

a) 3/5
b) 6/5
c) 9/5
d) 18/5
 Q 9)
Q36) Calculate equivalent resistance between points A and B

a) r/2
b) r
c) 2r
d) 4r
Q37)
Q38)
Q39)
Q40)
Q41)
Q42) Find equivalent resistance between points A and B for the
∞ resistor network
a) 1Ω
b) 1.5 Ω
c) 2Ω
d) 3.5
1. Mirror Symmetry OR
Perpendicular Axis of Symmetry
Q43) Find equivalent Resistance between A and B in the
following network of resistors

𝟐𝐑𝐫
a) 𝐑+𝐫
𝟖𝐑(𝐑+𝐫)
b) 𝟑𝐑+𝐫

c) 2r +4R
𝟓𝐑
d) 𝟐 + 2r
Q44)
Folding Symmetry OR Parallel Axis Symmetry
Q45) Calculate equivalent resistance between points A and B , if each
Q 3)has resistance r.
branch

a) 7/5 R
b) 7/6 R
c) 4/5 R
d) 5/2 R
Q46) In the circuit given, find the currents I , I1 , I2
Q47) Find i1, i2 and i3
Q48) Find current in all resistors : i1 , i2 , i3 , i4 and i5 . Also find potential drop in
each resistor.

2
2
Q49)
Q50)
 EMF, Terminal Voltage &
Internal Resistance of Cell
Electromotive Force (EMF):
Potential Difference between two electrodes / terminals of a cell
when no current flows (open circuit)
OR
The Work done on a unit positive charge in moving it across external
as well as internal circuit

𝑺𝒚𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒍 → ∈
𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔 → 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒕
Internal Resistance of a Cell :
“ The resistance offered by material of electrolyte to the flow of
Current inside the Cell’’

Factors on which Internal resistance of a cell depends:

1. Nature of electrolyte

2. Area of electrode

3. Distance between the electrodes

4. Concentration of electrolyte

5. Temperature of electrolyte.
Internal Resistance is always in series with the external circuit
Q51)
Q52)
Q53)
Terminal Voltage or Terminal Potential
Difference (V)
Potential difference across the terminals of cell when
current is drawn from cell
Terminal Voltage in Different Situations
1. Discharging of a Cell

2. Charging of a Cell
Q54)
Q55)
Q56)
Q57)
❑ Grouping of Cells
❑ Series Grouping
❑ Parallel Grouping
❑ Mixed Grouping
1) SERIES GROUPING OF CELLS

If Polarity of any Cell is Reversed

Q58)
Q59)
Q60)
2) PARALLEL GROUPING OF CELLS
If Polarity of any Cell is Reversed
Q61)
3) MIXED GROUPING OF CELLS

m
a) Total number of Cells
b) Equivalent EMF
c) Equivalent internal resistance
d) Current drawn from grouping
e) Power in external Resitor
f) Condition for maximum current
OR Power