Roll No.

: Time -
Date : MM - 69  

1. Plot a graph showing the variation of resistance of a conducting wire as a function of its radius, 1
keeping the length of the wire and its temperature as constant.

Ans :

2. V–I graph for a metallic wire at two different temperatures T1 and T2 is as shown in the figure. 1
Which of the two temperatures is higher and why?

Ans : Since, resistance = slope of V-I graph. In the figure, the slope of T1 is large, so T1
represents the higher temperature as the resistance increases with the temperature for a
conductor

3. The emf of a cell is always greater than its terminal voltage. Why? Give reason. 1

Ans : The current always flows from higher to lower potential. To produce the current to an
external circuit, the emf must be greater than the terminal voltage, i.e. the potential
difference across the external circuit.

= V + Ir

4. You are given three constantan wires P, Q and R of length and area of cross-section (L, A), 1
respectively. Which has highest resistance?
Ans :

Hence, Q has the highest resistance.

5. Two wires of equal length, one of copper and the other of manganin have the same resistance. 1
Which wire is thicker?

Ans :

As the resistivity of manganin (ρ2) is greater than the resistivity of copper (ρ1). So, the
manganin wire is thicker.

6. State the condition for maximum current to be drawn from a cell. 1

Ans : I= ; when the external resistance, R = 0 (i.e. cell is short-circuited), then the
maximum current will be drawn from a cell.

7. Graph showing the variation of current versus voltage for a material GaAs is shown in the figure. 1
Identify the region of

(i) negative resistance,

(ii) where Ohm’s law is obeyed.

Ans : (i) DE is the negative resistance region.

(ii) Ohm’s law is obeyed in the region AB.

8. Define the term ‘electrical conductivity’ of a metallic wire. Write its SI unit. 1

Ans : Electric conductivity (σ) is defined as the reciprocal of electric resistivity.

i.e. 

Its SI unit is Ω–1 m–1, mho m–1 or siemen m–1.

9. Show variation of resistivity of copper as a function of temperature in a graph. 1

Ans :

10. The plot of the variation of potential difference across a combination of three identical cells in 1
series, versus current is as shown here. What is the emf of each cell?

Ans :

11. Two similar wires of same length and same area of cross-section but of different material having 1
resistivity ρ1 and ρ2 are connected side by side i.e. in parallel. Calculate the effective resistivity of
their combination.

Ans :

12. Out of V – I graph for parallel and series combination of two metallic resistors, which one 1
represents parallel combination of resistors? Justify your answer.

Ans : The resistance of parallel combination is less than of series combination of a given

set of resistors. Hence, B represents a parallel combination, since is more.

Hence, the resistance, i.e. is less.

or

As slope of A < slope of B and resistance (R) =

RA > RB

Hence, B will represent the parallel combination.

13. The plot of the variation of potential difference across a combination of three identical cells in 1
series, versus

current is shown below. What is the emf and internal resistance of each cell?

Ans : When I = 0, E = V

Thus, emf of each cell = = 2V

14. Sketch a graph showing variation of resistivity of carbon with temperature. 1

Ans : The variation of resistivity of carbon with temperature is shown in figure.

15. Nichrome and copper wires of same length and area of cross section are
2
connected in series, current is passed through them why does the nichrome

wire get heated first?

Ans : As, in series, H ∝ R [where H = Heat produced and R = resistance] and the

resistance of nichrome wire is more than the resistance of copper wire of same

dimensions. Hence, the nichrome wire will heat up more.

16. A cell of emf E and internal resistance r is connected across a variable resistor R. Plot a graph 2
showing variation of terminal voltage V of the cell versus the current I. Using the plot, show how the
emf of the cell and its internal resistance can be determined.
Ans : We know that E = V + Ir or V = E – Ir

An intercept of the graph on Y-axis gives the value of emf E of the cell.

A slope of the lines gives the value of internal resistance.

17. Using the mathematical expression for the conductivity of a material, explain
2
how it varies with temperature for (i) semiconductors, (ii) good conductors.

Ans : Conductivity,

(i) Semiconductors: With an increase in temperature, the conductivity of

semiconductors increases. It is due to an increase in n which dominates the

effect caused by a decrease in the value of relaxation time.

(ii) Good conductors: With an increase in temperature, the conductivity of good

conductors decreases. It is due to a decrease in the value of relaxation time.

The effect of increased value of n is negligible.

18. Define drift velocity. Write its relationship with relaxation time in terms of the electric field 2
applied to a conductor.

A potential difference V is applied to a conductor of length L. How is the drift velocity

affected when V is doubled and L is halved?

Ans : Drift velocity It is an average velocity of electrons moving through

any cross-section of a conductor under the influence of an external electric field.

where г is the relaxation time.

As V is doubled and L is halved,

The drift velocity will get four times.

19. Define relaxation time of the free electrons drifting in a conductor. How is it related to the drift 3
velocity of free electrons? Use this relation to deduce the expression for the electrical resistivity of
the material.
Ans : Relaxation time is the duration for which an electron drifting through a conductor

does not suffer any collision.

Relation between drift velocity of free electrons and relaxation time

where E is the electric field across the conductor drifting the electrons.

We have the relation

                                             

where V is the potential difference and l is the length of the conductor.

Substituting the value of vd from equation (ii) in equation (i), we get

ρ is called the resistivity of the material of the conductor

20. A number of identical cells, n, each of emf E, and internal resistance r connected in series are 3
charged by a dc source of emf E′, using a resistor R.

(i) Draw the circuit arrangement.

(ii) Deduce the expressions for (a) the charging current, and (b) the potential difference across the
combination of the cells.

Ans :

(i)             

(ii) (a) Expression for charging current

Net resistance of the circuit, Req = R + nr

Total emf of the cells, Et = nE

Effective emf = E′ – nE

Charging current, I =

(b) Potential difference across the combination of cells

V = nE – I (nr) V = n(E – Ir)

21. Two cells of emfs ε1, ε2 and internal resistances r1 and r2 respectively are connected in parallel 3
as shown in the figure.

Deduce the expression for

(i) the equivalent emf of the combination,

(ii) the equivalent resistance of the combination, and

 (iii) the potential difference between the points A and B.

Ans :

As the cells are in parallel, the potential difference across the cells is same,

i.e. V1 = V2 = V

(i) The expression for the equivalent emf of the combination

...(c)

(ii) Expression for the equivalent resistance of the combination

  ...(d)

(iii) Expression for the potential difference between the points A and B.

22. State Kirchhoff ’s rules. Use Kirchhoff ’s rules to show that no current flows in the given circuit, 3
when any one of the cells is connected with reverse polarity

Ans : Kirchhoff’s Rules

Refer to Point no. 16. [Important Terms, Definitions and Formulae]

Using the Kirchhoff ’s rule in the loop we get,

For no current, the sources should bring a net potential of zero. It is possible only when
any one of the cells is connected in reverse.

(a) Define the term ‘drift velocity’ of charge carriers in a conductor. Obtain the expression for the 5
current density in terms of relaxation time.

(b) A 100 V battery is connected to the electric network as shown. If the power consumed in the 2 Ω
resistor is

200 W, determine the power dissipated in the 5 Ω resistor.

Ans : Drift velocity: Refer to Point no. 2 [Important Terms, Definitions and Formulae]

Let A be the area of cross-section of a wire and n be the number of free

electrons per unit volume. If vd be the average drift speed of the electrons

along the wire, then the number of electrons passing in time t through the

cross-section of the wire will be given by nAvd. If e is the charge on each

electron, the charge q passing in time t through the cross-section of the wire

will be given as

where j is the current density.

(b) Power disspated in 2 Ω resistance = 200 W (given)

Voltage drop across 2 Ω, i.e. V = 2 × 10 = 20 V

24. Current flowing through a wire varies with time t in second as

1
I = (2t + 4) A

How much charge passes through a cross-section of the wire in 2s?

Ans :

25. In the figure, what is the potential difference between A and B?

4

Ans : VA – VB = 12 – 2 × 10 = – 8 volt.

26. (i) Calculate the equivalent resistance of the given electrical network between points A and B.
4
(ii) Also calculate the current through CD and ACB, if a 10 V dc source is connected between A and
 B, and the value of R is assumed as 2 Ω.

Ans : (i) The given circuit can be redrawn as shown in the figure.

As 

The circuit is a balanced wheatstone bridge.

VC = VD and ICD = 0

Hence, an equivalent circuit is redrawn as shown.

Thus,

(ii) Being a balanced wheatstone bridge, ICD = 0

Given: R = 2 Ω , VAB = 10 V

RACB = 4 Ω

27. A storage battery of emf 12.0 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω is to be charged by a 120 V dc 4
supply of negligible internal resistance. What resistance is required in the circuit for the charging
current to be 3 A? What is the terminal voltage of the battery during charging?

Ans : Given: applied emf = 120 V, emf of storage battery = 12 V, r = 0.5 Ω, I = 3 A

But I =

3R = 106.5 ⇒ R = 35.5 Ω

and V = 12 + 3 × 0.5 = 13.5 V

28. A straight line plot showing the terminal potential difference (V) of a cell as a function of
4
current (I) drawn from it is shown in the figure.

 Using this plot, determine (i) the emf, and (ii) internal resistance of the cell.

Ans : We know that E – V = Ir

(i) Clearly, where I = 0, E = V = 1.4 V (from the graph)

(ii) Also, when V = 1.2 V, I = 0.04 A

                     

29. A cell of emf 1.5 V and internal resistance 0.5 Ω is connected to a (non-linear) conductor whose 4
V–I graph is shown in figure. Obtain graphically the current drawn from the cell and its terminal
voltage.

Ans : Given: E = 1.5 V, r = 0.5 Ω

We know V = E – Ir       Ir = E – V ⇒ 0.5I = 1.5 – V

The values of V and I satisfying above equation are:

V (volt) I (ampere)
0
3

0.5
2

1.0
1

1.5 0

The graph of these values is a line represented by dotted line. There is a common point
between the dotted line and the graph given. This point corresponds to 1 V and 1 A. So,
the cell supplies 1 A of current at 1 V.

30. A battery consists of a variable number ‘n’ of identical cells having internal resistances 1
connected in series. The terminals of battery are short circuited and the current i is measured.
Which of the graph below shows the relationship between i and n?
  

Ans :

31. The figure below shows currents in a part of electric circuit. The current i is ___________. 1

Ans : 1.7 A

32. A wire is stretched so as to change its length by 0.1%, the percentage increase in its resistance 1
will be ___________.

Ans :

33. Temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) of semiconductors, insulators and metals is 1

significantly based on the following factors: [NCERT Exemplar]

(a) number of charge carriers can change with temperature T.

(b) time interval between two successive collisions is independent on T.

(c) length of material can be a function of T.

(d) mass of carriers is a function of T.

Ans : (a) Resistivity is the intrinsic property of the substance. For a metallic conductor,
resistivity is given by

Where n is the number of charge carriers per unit volume (number density) which can
change with temperature T and is relaxation time (time interval between two

successive collisions) which decreases with the increase of temperature 

When a conductor does not have a current through it, its conduction electrons move randomly, 5
with no net motion in any direction. When the current flows through the conductor, these electrons
actually still move randomly, but now they tend to drift with the drift speed vd. The drift speed is
very less as compared to speeds in random thermal motion.

(i) A steady current I flows through a metallic conductor whose area of cross-section (A) increases
continuously from one end to the other. The drift velocity of free electron (vd) as a function of A will be:
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

 (ii) For Ohm’s law is obeyed, then what is the relation between electric field(E) and drift velocity
(vd)?

(a) vd ∝ E2
(b) vd ∝ E
(c) vd ∝ 
(d) vd ∝ 
 (iii) When a current flows in a conductor, the order of magnitude of drift velocity of electrons
through it is

(a) 10–7 cm/s

(b) 10–2 cm/s
(c) 104 mm/s
(d) 0.5 mm/s

(iv) Two nichrome wires of equal lengths but having radii in the ratio 1 : 3 are connected in series
across an electric cell. The drift velocities of free electrons through them will be in the ratio of

(a) 3:1
(b) 1:3
(c) 4:9
(d) 9:1

(v) The path of electrons (I) in the absence (II) in the presence of electric field is

(a) straight line in case (I) and (II)

(b) curved in (I) and straight in (II)
(c) curved in (II) and straight in (I)
(d) curved in case (I) and (II) both

Ans :